SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to defeat the Washington Mystics 74-69 on Saturday night at Chase Center, extending their franchise-record winning streak to nine games before another sold-out home crowd.
Golden State improved its momentum in front of 18,064 fans, marking the franchise’s 36th consecutive home sellout.
The matchup featured 10 lead changes and seven ties, with neither team able to create much separation through the first three quarters. Washington held an 18-13 lead after the opening quarter before Golden State answered with a 20-10 second quarter to take a 33-28 halftime advantage. The Mystics responded by outscoring the Valkyries 29-19 in the third quarter to carry a 57-52 lead into the final period.
Golden State took control late with a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter. Consecutive three-pointers from Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes, Kayla Thornton, and Veronica Burton highlighted the stretch as the Valkyries closed out the victory.
Williams paced Golden State with 18 points, marking the 12th time this season she has led the team in scoring. She also added five assists and three steals.
Burton recorded her seventh career double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 assists while contributing five rebounds and two steals. She shot 4-for-8 from the field, including 2-for-5 from beyond the arc, and committed just one turnover.
Thornton also finished in double figures with 11 points, connecting on 3-of-6 shots from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range while adding four defensive rebounds, one block, and one steal.
Golden State received additional production from its bench. Janelle Salaün scored nine points while shooting 50 percent from both the field and three-point range and grabbed three rebounds. Tiffany Hayes added seven points, and Kaila Charles contributed six, including a third-quarter three-pointer.
The Valkyries’ reserves outscored Washington’s bench 25-16.
Golden State also protected the basketball throughout the contest, committing just eight turnovers, including only two in the second half. Every Valkyrie who entered the game scored, with three players finishing in double figures.
Defensively, the Valkyries held an opponent below 70 points for the seventh time this season.
Washington continued several of its own season-long trends despite the loss.
The Mystics limited Golden State to 74 points, marking the eighth time this season they have held an opponent below 75 points. Washington has now held six consecutive opponents to 80 points or fewer, a streak that began on July 2 against the Atlanta Dream.
The Mystics also controlled the boards, outrebounding the Valkyries 37-26. It marked the 21st game this season Washington has outrebounded its opponent and the eighth time it has recorded a rebound differential of at least 10, both league-leading marks.
Shakira Austin matched Williams for the game-high with 18 points while pulling down a career-high-tying 16 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. The performance marked Austin’s first career game with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds. She also extended her streak of games with at least 10 points and five rebounds to six. Austin led all players in both scoring and rebounding for the second consecutive game.
Sonia Citron added 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting while recording four assists and two steals. Michaela Onyenwere finished with nine points on three made three-pointers, three rebounds, and tied her career high with five assists.
While Washington’s rebounding advantage and defensive effort kept the game close throughout the evening, Golden State’s balanced scoring, efficient ball movement, and fourth-quarter execution proved to be the difference as the Valkyries earned their ninth consecutive victory.
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