On Sunday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco, the Golden State Valkyries hosted the Seattle Storm in a pivotal WNBA matchup that had fans buzzing. This game marked the second meeting of the 2025 season between the two teams, with the Valkyries looking to solidify their standing and the Storm aiming to maintain their edge in the league rankings. The Valkyries entered the contest with an 8-7 record, holding the sixth spot in the league, while the Storm stood at 10-6, sitting just 3.5 games behind the top of the standings.
Broadcast live on CW Seattle, KPIX+, and KMAX 31, the game drew a crowd of 18,064, marking the Valkyries' tenth consecutive home sellout. The atmosphere was electric as both teams battled it out on the court, but it was the Valkyries who dominated from the outset, showcasing a blend of stingy defense and sharp shooting that Seattle struggled to counter.
The Valkyries jumped out to a strong start, shooting an impressive 52.9% from the field in the first quarter to take a 23-14 lead. Seattle fought back in the second quarter, narrowing the deficit to as few as five points, but Golden State closed the half ahead 34-27. The Storm were held to just 9-of-34 shooting from the field and a dismal 4-of-18 from beyond the arc during the first half, a testament to the Valkyries’ defensive intensity.
Golden State's offense was paced by Tiffany Hayes, who delivered a game-high 21 points along with four assists. Veronica Burton also chipped in with 15 points, helping the Valkyries pull away in the third quarter. Despite losing their leading scorer Kayla Thornton early in the third quarter due to a head injury, the Valkyries outscored the Storm 31-17 in that period, extending their lead to 21 points heading into the final quarter.
The Storm, led by Skylar Diggins with 18 points and six assists, struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting just 27% from the field for the game. Seattle’s offense, which averages 84.2 points per game, was stifled by Golden State’s defense that ranks fourth in the WNBA in defensive rating. The Valkyries’ ability to slow the pace, ranking tenth in pace, further frustrated the Storm’s usually potent attack.
Seattle’s recent trend of improved offense, averaging 86.6 points over their last ten games, was not enough against the Valkyries’ home defense. The Storm’s three-point shooting had been on the rise, making 9.2 threes per game at 37.9% over their last ten outings, but they managed only 27% shooting overall in this matchup.
Injuries played a role for both teams. Seattle was without Katie Lou Samuelson and Lexie Brown, both sidelined for the season and ongoing respectively. The Valkyries were missing rookie Carla Leite due to a back injury, marking her fourth consecutive game out. Temi Fágbénlé made her return for Golden State after playing in EuroBasket, contributing four points and four rebounds in 20 minutes, a welcome boost for the Valkyries’ frontcourt.
The Valkyries’ recent form had been strong, winning six of their last eight games before this matchup, including a narrow loss to the defending champions, the New York Liberty. Golden State’s victory over Seattle marked their second win against the Storm this season, reinforcing their home-court advantage and defensive prowess.
Looking at the league standings, the Storm were positioned fifth with a 10-6 record, while the Valkyries held sixth at 8-7. The Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics were close behind, making this contest crucial for playoff positioning. The Valkyries aimed to build momentum before a challenging two-week road trip, while the Storm sought to maintain their playoff push with impressive wins over top teams like the Liberty and Las Vegas Aces.
Betting odds favored the Storm as 5.5-point favorites, but the Valkyries’ elite performance against the spread, covering in 10 of their 15 games, made them a formidable underdog. The total points line was set at 158.5, with expert predictions leaning towards the under, given both teams’ defensive strengths and the slow pace favored by Golden State.
One prop bet to watch was on Tiffany Hayes to score over 12.5 points, a bet supported by her recent scoring streak where she surpassed 13 points in four consecutive games. Hayes’ role as a primary scorer has grown, especially with several teammates away for international duty, making her a key figure in the Valkyries’ offensive plans.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, Golden State opened with a 10-4 run, pushing their lead to an insurmountable margin. With nearly five minutes left and a commanding 25-point advantage, coach Natalie Nakase cleared her bench, signaling the game’s decisive turn. The Valkyries' defensive dominance and timely shooting sealed a convincing 84-57 victory over the Storm, a statement win that energized the team and their fans.
Looking ahead, the Valkyries will face the Minnesota Lynx on July 5, continuing their road stretch with hopes of climbing higher in the standings. Seattle will regroup after a tough loss but remains a strong contender in this competitive WNBA season.
This matchup highlighted the contrasting styles of two talented teams: Seattle’s high-powered offense against Golden State’s suffocating defense. The Valkyries’ ability to execute on both ends of the floor proved decisive, especially in limiting Seattle’s sharpshooters and capitalizing on key moments despite injuries.
Golden State’s recent international successes also add depth to the team’s narrative. Point guard Julie Vanloo returned from helping Belgium secure its second consecutive EuroBasket championship, earning all-tournament honors. Rising star Justė Jocytė, the Valkyries’ first-round pick slated for next season, was named the EuroBasket Rising Star, promising bright prospects for the franchise’s future.
In all, Sunday’s game was a showcase of grit, strategy, and talent, with the Golden State Valkyries asserting themselves as a tough opponent at home. Seattle’s challenge now is to bounce back and leverage their offensive firepower in upcoming games to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.
