By admin 
SAN FRANCISCO – After two straight games of offensive proficiency, the Valkyries struggled to find a rhythm against the Chicago Sky.
Read more Reports: Dolphins, RB De’Von Achane agreed to $64M deal
Golden State scored at least 90 points in back-to-back games against the Storm and the Mercury, but couldn’t crack 70 on Wednesday night in a 69-62 loss to the Sky.
After ending the first quarter with a nine-point lead, the Valkyries struggled to find their groove as they gave their lead early in the third period.
A flurry of buckets from Skylar Diggins and Rickea Jackson helped the Sky gain the advantage in the second half.
Golden State was able to keep within a possession of the Sky up until the final minute, but one sequence of events proved to be costly.
After doubling center Kamilla Cardoso in the post with just over a minute left, the Valkyries left Jackson open from the left wing. Cardoso found Jackson spotting up and she swished a 3-pointer to give Chicago a five-point lead.
On the next possession, Burton turned the ball over and the Sky hit enough free throws to close the game.
Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 18 points. Veronica Burton scored 16 points and had five turnovers.
Jackson led the Sky with 18 points while Diggins pitched in 15.
Cecilia Zandalasini (concussion) and Tiffany Hayes (finger) each missed their second straight game with injuries.
Read more J.B. Bickerstaff Says the Refs Missed a Clear Foul in Crunch Time, and He’s Right to Be Angry
Stokes breakout
The Valkyries had a hard time figuring out Stokes’ role in the starting lineup as the veteran is not a 3-point shooter.
Going into Wednesday’s game, each of the Valkyries’ three worst lineups per 100 possessions included Stokes at center.
But against the Sky, the Valkyries seemed to have figured out how to use Stokes to open the game. Stokes finished with seven points and 11 rebounds while doing a solid job containing Cardoso. Cardoso finished with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting.
Thornton, Salaün struggle
The two most consistent scorers from the Valkyries’ previous two games couldn’t buy a bucket on Wednesday night.
Thornton and Salaün combined to score six points and shot 6.2% from the floor. Thornton had a plus-minus rating of -2 while Salaün was -8.
The duo had 83 points across the Valkyries last two wins, but couldn’t find a way to hit perimeter shots as they were 1-for-16 as Sky defenders didn’t allow them to find an open look.
Rotation stays the same
Coach Natalie Nakase once again stuck with the same starting five while bringing in Salaün, Laeticia Amihere and Kaitlyn Chen off the bench.
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda and newly signed Ashten Prechtel did not play while developmental player Miela Sowah was inactive.
Read more Reports: Dolphins, RB De’Von Achane agreed to $64M deal
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 9:27 PM.