Valkyries Continue Historic Run with Eighth Straight Win Over Fever

The Golden State Valkyries continued their remarkable season Wednesday night, defeating the Indiana Fever 88-75 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to extend the longest winning streak in franchise history to eight games. The victory also completed a perfect 5-0 road trip, making Golden State just the second team in WNBA history to win five consecutive road games, joining the 2021 Seattle Storm.

Golden State established control almost immediately. The Valkyries held Indiana scoreless on its first five possessions and built a 10-point lead within the opening five minutes behind a pair of three-pointers from Cecilia Zandalasini and an early defensive spark from Gabby Williams. The Fever never found an offensive rhythm in the opening half as Golden State forced eight turnovers while committing only three of its own. The defensive effort carried the Valkyries to a 40-30 halftime advantage, holding Indiana to its fewest points in any half this season.

Although Indiana mounted a push during the third quarter, Golden State answered with one of the game’s biggest performances from an unlikely source. Rookie guard Kaitlyn Chen erupted for 12 points in just four minutes during the period, scoring 12 of the Valkyries’ 18 third-quarter points to keep the Fever from completing the comeback. Chen finished with 14 points in only 9:38 of playing time while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field. According to Elias Sports Bureau, she became the first player in WNBA history to score at least 14 points in fewer than 10 minutes while shooting 100 percent from the field on a minimum of five attempts.

Golden State once again relied on its balanced offensive attack, placing six players in double figures. Williams led the way with 16 points while adding three rebounds, three steals, and a block. Tiffany Hayes scored 13 points, connecting on three of her four field goal attempts and converting all seven of her free throws. Janelle Salaün added 12 points, Kayla Thornton finished with 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds, and Zandalasini contributed 10 points after providing the early offensive spark.

The Valkyries’ depth proved to be one of the biggest differences throughout the night. Golden State’s bench outscored Indiana’s reserves 43-21, with Chen, Hayes, and Salaün leading the second unit. Every Valkyries player who entered the game scored, highlighting the unselfish style that has fueled the team’s historic winning streak.

Golden State’s defense was equally impressive. The Valkyries limited Caitlin Clark, who entered the game averaging 20.1 points per contest, to just 13 points on 4-for-14 shooting, including 1-for-8 from three-point range. Seven of Clark’s points came in the fourth quarter, and Indiana finished with just 75 points, matching its season low.

Following the victory, head coach Natalie Nakase credited the team’s chemistry rather than its growing winning streak.

“We are getting closer and closer together,” Nakase said. “We used this road trip to actually bond and become tighter knit because when you are on the road you do everything together. I feel like we are just getting more connected.”

Williams praised Chen’s breakout performance, saying the rookie’s energy has become contagious throughout the roster.

“We have to be the only team that has multiple Sixth Player of the Year options,” Williams said. “She is just fun to watch, and she loves to play the game. It gets all of us hyped, and we feed off of that energy.”

While the Valkyries have now won a franchise-record eight consecutive games, Nakase made it clear her team is not focused on streaks.

“I want to focus on one game at a time,” Nakase said. “We have a lot to get better at rather than looking at a streak right now.”

The Valkyries will look to extend their historic run to nine games when they return home Saturday to host the Washington Mystics.