Valkyries Drop First Game of Season in Loss to Sky
Published on May 14, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Golden State Valkyries News Release
The Golden State Valkyries fell 69-63 against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday night at Chase Center. It was the first loss of the season for the Valkyries, who opened the season with two victories.
The Valkyries were outscored 45-35 in the second half after leading by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. Both teams had off shooting nights, with the Valkyries shooting 29 percent from the field and Chicago finishing at 36.2 percent.
Gabby Williams scored a team-high 18 points for the Valkyries, with Rickea Jackson tallying 18 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Sky.
BURTON, WILLIAMS LEADS THE OFFENSE
Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams combined for 34 points on Wednesday. Burton hit a pair of clutch threes in the fourth quarter to turn a six-point Valkyries deficit into a tie game.
Burton finished the contest with 16 points and a team-high four assists. Williams recorded 18 points, hitting a team-high three 3-pointers.
STOKES' DEFENSE
Kiah Stokes played a season-high 29 minutes in the contest and had her most productive game of 2026. Stokes recorded seven points, 11 rebounds and a game-high five blocks, her most blocks in a game since June 2024.
CHARLES ON THE GLASS
Kaila Charles recorded nine points and nine rebounds on the night, tying her second highest career rebounding total of her career.
Charles finished 4-for-9 from the field and was extremely effective on the offensive glass, recording five offense rebounds.
QUICK START
The Valkyries got off to a fast start, opening the game on a 17-5 run, limiting the Sky to just 2-for-11 shooting from the field and 0-for-4 from 3-point range.
Golden State finished the first quarter with a nine-point advantage, led by Gabby Williams' seven points in the frame.
DEFENSIVE BATTLE
The Valkyries, who rank second in opponent points per game, held Chicago to 24 first half points, including holding them to 0-for-11 from 3-point range.
Chicago's 24 points in the half was the lowest of any team in the WNBA this season.
The Valks also struggled from the field in the second quarter, shooting 4-for-20 from the field, but were able to maintain a four-point going into halftime.
UP NEXT
The Valkyries open up a two-game road trip on Thursday night against the New York Liberty (5 p.m. PT; Prime Video) before meeting the Indiana Fever on Friday night (4:30 p.m. PT; ION).
The Valkyries will then return to Chase Center to host the Connecticut Sun on Monday, May 25 (7 p.m.; KPIX+ (Bay Area) KMAX (Sacramento)), as the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Violet puzzle, presented by California Academy of Sciences.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from May 14, 2026
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- Sky Pursuing First 3-0 Start in 12 Years against Mercury - Chicago Sky
- Las Vegas Aces Continue East Coast Swing with Final Game at Connecticut Friday - Las Vegas Aces
- New York Liberty Sign Alexandra Fowler - New York Liberty
- Storm Signs Taylor Thierry to Development Player Contract - Seattle Storm
- Connecticut Sun Announces Second Sun & Soul Fest - Connecticut Sun
- Game Preview: Fever Tip off Homestand on Friday vs Mystics - Indiana Fever
- Sparks to Honor Lisa Leslie with Crypto.com Arena Statue - Los Angeles Sparks
- Connecticut Sun Activate Nell Angloma - Connecticut Sun
- Sky Shut Down Valkyries' Offense in 69-63 Win - Chicago Sky
- Indiana Fever Earns First Win of 2026 Season - Indiana Fever
- Sky 69, Valkyries 63 - Golden State Valkyries
- Valkyries Drop First Game of Season in Loss to Sky - Golden State Valkyries
- Sun Drop to Aces, 98-69, in First of Two-Game Series - Connecticut Sun
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