Salaün Shines in Valkyries' Victory over the Tempo
WNBA Golden State Valkyries

Salaün Shines in Valkyries' Victory over the Tempo

Published on August 2, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Golden State Valkyries News Release


The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Toronto Tempo 96-79, securing the win after a high scoring fourth quarter on Sunday night. Four Valkyries reached double-figures, with Janelle Salaün leading the team with 24 points and four three-pointers, followed by Veronica Burton putting up 17 points and three triples.

SALAÜN DOMINATES OFFENSIVELY

In her first appearance since she set the WNBA record for most three-pointers made by a reserve in a season with her 69th triple on July 29th against the Mercury, Salaün continues to shoot the lights out from deep. In Sunday's matchup against Toronto she drained four three-pointers, marking the seventh time this season she has made four or more from beyond the arc.

Salaün came just two points short of her career-high of 26 points set in the Valkyries previous match up against the Tempo earlier this season on July 8. She ended the game with a team-high of 24 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field.

FIRST QUARTER SHARP SHOOTING

Golden State had five triples from five different players (Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, and Kaila Charles) all within the last five minutes of the first frame. As a team, they shot 5-for-8 from beyond the arc for effective 62.5 percent in the quarter.

BACK AND FORTH BATTLE

The Valkyries gained some momentum in the second quarter off of Salaün knocking down her first three pointer to begin the 12-2 run that gave them their largest advantage of the half (13 points). Every bucket, in that span was a triple, with Burton and Williams adding a pair and Salaün capping off the run with a second long ball to make it 39-26.

After exchanging baskets, Toronto responded by scoring nine unanswered points in the final two minutes to cut the deficit to one going into halftime.

ZANDALASINI RECORDS CAREER-HIGH IN ASSISTS

Cecilia Zandalasini was a key playmaker against the Tempo, as she recorded a new career-high of five assists. Her previously high was four, set last season on July 25, 2025 in a win against the Dallas Wings. She ended Sunday's game with seven points on 2-for-5 shooting and a pair of free throws.

HAYES BECOMES 28TH ON WNBA ALL-TIME SCORING LIST

Tiffany Hayes passed Hall of Famer Swin Cash (5,119) for 28th on the WNBA's all-time scoring list after making a pair of free throws from a tough take for her 1,520 career points.

Hayes finished the game with 15 points and four assists in 20 minutes played off the bench.

UP NEXT

The Valkyries continue their short home stand at Chase Center in the second of back-to-back matches against the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday, August 4 at 7 p.m. PT (WATCH on KPIX+ in the Bay Area, KVOR 13 in Sacramento).

Check out the Golden State Valkyries Statistics

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 2, 2026


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