On August 10, 2025, the Golden State Valkyries secured a decisive 72-59 win against the Los Angeles Sparks in a thrilling WNBA regular-season matchup at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The game, attended by 18,064 fans, showcased standout performances from both teams, with the Valkyries leveraging their depth and defensive prowess to pull ahead. Below is a detailed breakdown of the player stats and key moments from the game, highlighting the contributions that shaped this Western Conference clash.
Match Overview
- Sport: Basketball
- League: WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)
- Game Type: Regular Season (Western Conference)
- Date: August 10, 2025
- Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
- Attendance: 18,064
- Matchup: Golden State Valkyries vs Los Angeles Sparks Match Player Stats
- Result: Golden State Valkyries won 72–59
- Previous Meeting: Sparks won 84–67 on May 16, 2025
Game Summary
The Golden State Valkyries (15-15) improved their standing with a strong performance, moving to seventh place in the WNBA standings. The Los Angeles Sparks (14-16), coming off a tough stretch, struggled to maintain offensive consistency, marking their first loss in a recent string of competitive games. The Valkyries established an early lead, outscoring the Sparks 19-14 in the first quarter and 14-9 in the second, heading into halftime with a 33-23 advantage. Despite a Sparks rally in the third quarter (25-23), the Valkyries sealed the game with a 16-11 fourth-quarter effort.
Golden State Valkyries: Player Stats and Standout Performances
The Valkyries’ balanced attack and defensive intensity were key to their victory. Veronica Burton led the team with an impressive all-around performance, while contributions from the bench and starters alike showcased Golden State’s depth.
- Veronica Burton (Guard): Burton was the game’s top performer, scoring 16 points on 5-of-9 field goals, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and 5-of-8 free throws. She added 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a team-high 5 steals, demonstrating her defensive tenacity and playmaking ability. Her +8 plus/minus underscored her impact on both ends of the court.
- Janelle Salaün (Forward): The rookie continued to shine, contributing 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, and 4-of-4 free throws. Salaün grabbed 8 rebounds and added 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block, though she committed 2 turnovers. Her scoring efficiency and rebounding were critical in maintaining Golden State’s lead.
- Kayla Thornton (Forward): Thornton delivered a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She shot 4-of-15 from the field, including 1-of-9 from three, but was perfect from the free-throw line (5-of-5). Thornton’s 4 steals and 1 block highlighted her defensive contributions, though she had 5 turnovers.
- Temi Fagbenle (Forward): Fagbenle added 8 points on 4-of-6 shooting, with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. Her efficiency in the paint and playmaking helped the Valkyries maintain their rhythm.
- Carla Leite (Guard, Bench): Coming off the bench, Leite was a spark plug, scoring 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. She added 2 rebounds and 3 assists, finishing with a game-high +17 plus/minus, underscoring her impact in limited minutes.
- Kate Martin (Guard, Bench): Martin contributed 6 points, hitting 2-of-5 field goals, both from three-point range. She added 1 rebound and played a steady role off the bench.
- Kyara Linskens (Center, Bench): Linskens chipped in 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block, providing valuable minutes in the paint.
- Stephanie Talbot (Forward, Bench): Talbot added 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist, contributing to the Valkyries’ balanced effort.
The Valkyries shot 44.3% from the field (27-of-61), 35.3% from three (12-of-34), and 60% from the free-throw line (6-of-10). Their defensive effort was notable, forcing 12 turnovers and recording 6 steals, while their 34 rebounds helped control the boards.
Los Angeles Sparks: Player Stats and Key Contributions
The Sparks struggled offensively, shooting just 32.8% from the field (20-of-61) and 23.5% from three (8-of-34), though they were efficient from the free-throw line at 78.6% (11-of-14). Dearica Hamby led the team, but the lack of consistent scoring from other players hindered their comeback efforts.
- Dearica Hamby (Forward): Hamby was the Sparks’ standout, leading all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three, and 5-of-9 from the free-throw line. She added 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks but had 4 turnovers and a -11 plus/minus. Hamby’s scoring kept the Sparks competitive, particularly in the third quarter.
- Kelsey Plum (Guard): Plum scored 16 points but struggled with efficiency, shooting 6-of-18 from the field and 2-of-10 from three, though she was perfect from the free-throw line (2-of-2). She added 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 4 steals but committed 3 turnovers.
- Odyssey Sims (Guard): Sims contributed 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three, and 2-of-3 free throws. She had 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 turnover, but her -11 plus/minus reflected the Sparks’ struggles while she was on the court.
- Sarah Ashlee Barker (Guard): Barker added 7 points on 2-of-7 shooting, including 1-of-4 from three, and 2-of-2 free throws. She recorded 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals but had 2 turnovers.
- Azurá Stevens (Center): Stevens had a quieter offensive night with 6 points on 1-of-3 shooting but was a force on the boards with 10 rebounds. She added 3 assists and finished with a +7 plus/minus, one of the few Sparks players with a positive rating.
- Julie Allemand (Guard, Bench): Allemand scored 3 points on 1-of-2 shooting, all from three, with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
- Emma Cannon (Forward, Bench): Cannon added 2 points on 1-of-1 shooting, with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block.
- Mercedes Russell (Center, Bench): Russell contributed 1 point, 2 rebounds, and 1 turnover in limited minutes.
- Liatu King (Forward, Bench): King was held scoreless but grabbed 2 rebounds and had 1 assist and 1 steal.
The Sparks’ 31 rebounds and 18 assists showed their effort to stay in the game, but their poor shooting and 12 turnovers limited their ability to close the gap.
Key Moments and Game Flow
The Valkyries set the tone early, with Cecilia Zandalasini and Janelle Salaün hitting key three-pointers in the first quarter to establish a 19-14 lead. The Sparks struggled in the second quarter, managing only 9 points as Golden State’s defense clamped down, forcing turnovers and missed shots. The third quarter saw a Sparks resurgence, led by Hamby’s 11 points, but the Valkyries responded with timely baskets from Burton and Leite. In the fourth quarter, Golden State’s balanced scoring and defensive stops ensured they maintained a double-digit lead for the win.
Team Stats Comparison
- Field Goals: Valkyries 27/61 (44.3%) vs. Sparks 20/61 (32.8%)
- Three-Point Shooting: Valkyries 12/34 (35.3%) vs. Sparks 8/34 (23.5%)
- Free Throws: Valkyries 6/10 (60%) vs. Sparks 11/14 (78.6%)
- Rebounds: Valkyries 34 vs. Sparks 31
- Assists: Valkyries 15 vs. Sparks 18
- Steals: Valkyries 6 vs. Sparks 6
- Turnovers: Valkyries 12 vs. Sparks 12
- Blocks: Valkyries 2 vs. Sparks 2
Looking Ahead
The victory marked the Valkyries’ first win in a budding rivalry with the Sparks, who had previously defeated them 84-67 in the season opener on May 16, 2025. Golden State’s ability to channel “must-win energy” propelled them to a crucial victory, improving their playoff positioning. The Valkyries now prepare to face the Connecticut Sun on August 12, while the Sparks look to rebound against the Seattle Storm on August 11.
Conclusion
The Golden State Valkyries’ 72-59 win over the Los Angeles Sparks was a testament to their balanced roster and defensive intensity. Veronica Burton and Carla Leite’s scoring, combined with Janelle Salaün’s all-around play and Kayla Thornton’s double-double, powered the Valkyries to victory. For the Sparks, Dearica Hamby’s valiant effort wasn’t enough to overcome their offensive struggles. As both teams continue their playoff push, this game highlighted the Valkyries’ potential as a rising force in the WNBA.
