Sun Swept by Valkyries, 89-64
Published on August 26, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release
UNCASVILLE, Conn. - On the second night of a back-to-back, the Connecticut (10-28) Sun battled against the Golden State Valkyries (27-11), falling 89-64, Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Rookie guard Charlisse Leger-Walker delivered a breakout performance with 17 points, netting a new career high, while shooting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. She also added three points and four assists. Off the bench, Nell Angloma chipped in 11 points to lead Connecticut's reserves.
Golden State wasted little time establishing control. Gabby Williams opened the scoring with a deep three-pointer before Diamond Miller answered with an aggressive drive to the basket for Connecticut's first points of the night. Aaliyah Edwards helped spark the Sun defensively with an early still, followed by a crafty finish underneath the rim. Veronica Burton ended a brief scoring drought with a bucket in the paint, and Tiffany Hayes made an immediate impact off the bench with a steal and a long-rage three. Consecutive baskets from Laeticia Amihere and Hayes pushed the Valkyries' advantage to seven midway through the period, and Burton stretched the lead to double digits with a three-point make. Connecticut continued to fight behind Edwards and Kennedy Burke, but Kaitlyn Chen and Janelle Salaun added key baskets as the Valkyries built a commanding 26-11 after one.
The Valkyries maintained their momentum in the second quarter. Burton scored first, but Leger-Walker answered from long distance to briefly stem the tide. Miller powered through contact for a three-point play, and Connecticut pieced together scoring contributions from Angloma and Leger-Walker to trim the deficit. Golden State, however, responded with another surge. Salaun connected on a pair of three-pointers while Cecilia Zandalasini, Kayla Thornton, Stokes and Williams fueled a decisive run that widened the gap before halftime. A late block by Hailey Van Lith provided a bright spot for Connecticut, but Golden State took to the locker room in control, leading 55-27 at the break.
The Sun showed a renewed spark of energy coming out of the break as Saniya Rivers found Leger-Walker for a three on Connecticut's opening possession before knocking down one of her own moments later. Edwards continued her productive night with strong finishes inside, while Leger-Walker remained aggressive offensively. Midway through the third, the rookie point guard reached a new career milestone after converting a three-point play, recording her 17th point of the new high, setting a new career high. Golden State's veteran frontcourt continued to answer as Kaila Charles and Salaun combined to keep the Sun at bay, while Chen added late points to help the Valkyries carry their lead in the fourth, despite the Sun tying the quarter score at 25 points in the third set.
The Valkyries opened the final quarter with seven straight points behind Nadia Fingall, Charles and Juste Jocyte. Connecticut responded with one final push as Angloma knocked down a deep three, Ashlon Jackson netted a pull-up jumper and Van Lith connected from beyond the arc as the Sun pieced together an 8-0 run. Golden State ultimately maintained control down the stretch despite not reaching 10 points in the fourth, but Angloma finished strong, reaching double figures in the closing minute with a basket and two free throws to cap the scoring.
The Valkyries shot 54.0 percent from the field compared to Connecticut's 31.0 percent and held advantages in rebounds (42-30), assists (24-17) and blocks (10-3). Golden State's bench also proved decisive, outscoring the Sun reserves 54-22.
Game Notes:
Charlisse Leger-Walker recorded a career-high 17 points and shot 3-of-4 from three-point range.
Nell Angloma posted 11 points off the bench.
Team Score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 PTS REB AST
CON 64 11 16 25 12 Leger-Walker - 17 Edwards/Van Lith - 5 Leger-Walker - 4
GSV 89 26 29 25 9 Salaun - 15 Charles - 8 Burton - 7
NEXT GAME: The Sun wrap up August on the road for two games, the first on August 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse against the Indiana Fever.
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