The Golden State Valkyries return to Chase Center on Friday night looking to continue their strong finish to the 2026 regular season when they host the Portland Fire at 7 p.m. PDT.
Golden State enters the matchup with a 29-11 record, while Portland comes in at 16-24. The game is the Valkyries’ 41st of the regular season and their 21st home game. The matchup will air on ION, with radio coverage available on 95.7 The Game, ESPN 1320 and The Audacy App.
The Valkyries have already defeated Portland twice this season. Golden State opened the season series with a 95-77 victory on June 2 before earning an 86-69 road win on August 30. The Valkyries are 2-0 all-time against the Fire, including a 1-0 record at home.
Golden State’s most recent meeting with Portland was controlled early by the Valkyries. Golden State jumped out to a 28-14 lead after the first quarter and led 47-25 at halftime. Tiffany Hayes scored 18 points, Kayla Thornton added 17, and Kaitlyn Chen finished with 15 points. Veronica Burton and Kaila Charles each scored 11.
The matchup features two teams with different statistical profiles. Portland is averaging 86.6 points per game while allowing 91.1. Golden State is averaging 82.6 points while allowing a league-low 75.4 points per game. The Valkyries also hold advantages in rebounding, turnovers and blocks, averaging 32.9 rebounds, 11.4 turnovers and 3.88 blocks per game.
Defense has remained the foundation of Golden State’s success. The Valkyries lead the WNBA in opponent scoring, defensive rating, opponent field-goal percentage and opponent points in the paint. They have held opponents to 70 points or fewer in a league-leading 14 games this season.
Veronica Burton will be another key player to watch. She is averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 assists per game and has been particularly effective at taking care of the basketball. Golden State is 20-2 when Burton records at least six assists.
Kayla Thornton also enters the matchup with strong numbers against Portland. She is averaging 18.0 points in her two career games against the Fire, while averaging 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season.
Kaila Charles is coming off an 11-point, eight-rebound and career-high five-assist performance against Portland on August 30. She has averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 50 percent shooting over her last five games.
Golden State also enters the game with significant momentum. The Valkyries went 10-2 in August, the best record in the league during the month, while holding opponents to 72.0 points per game and 40.1 percent shooting. Head coach Natalie Nakase was named the WNBA Coach of the Month for August.
The Valkyries have already secured a postseason berth for the second consecutive season. With four regular-season games remaining after the August 30 victory over Portland, Golden State became the 14th North American professional team to reach the postseason in each of its first two seasons.
Golden State will have to account for a Portland offense that averages 86.6 points per game. Carla Leite, who missed the August 30 meeting while preparing for the FIBA World Cup, leads the Fire in both scoring at 15.9 points per game and assists at 6.3 per game.
The Valkyries will also enter Friday’s game with several players listed on the status report. Iliana Rupert is not with the team due to pregnancy, Janelle Salaün and Gabby Williams are out for reconditioning, and Cecilia Zandalasini is questionable for the matchup.
With the regular season winding down, Golden State has an opportunity to add another win against Portland before the teams meet again Tuesday, September 22, in Portland.
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