Golden State Valkyries Outlast Sparks in Overtime Thriller Behind Salaün’s Breakout Performance

LOS ANGELES — In a hard-fought Commissioner's Cup showdown, the Golden State Valkyries secured a dramatic 89-81 overtime win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, tying the longest win streak in franchise history and showcasing the emergence of several rising stars.

Janelle Salaün delivered a career-best performance, pouring in 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds, including a critical put-back in overtime that helped seal the victory. The 22-year-old forward, who has been steadily carving out a larger role, showed poise beyond her years with timely shot-making and hustle plays on both ends. Her three made three-pointers accounted for the bulk of Golden State’s long-range scoring, as the Valkyries shot just 4-of-27 from deep in a gritty, defense-heavy contest.

The win propels Golden State to 4-5 on the season and 2-2 in Commissioner's Cup play, with one cup matchup remaining. It also marks the franchise's first victory in an overtime game — a sign of growth and resilience for a team still building its identity in the WNBA landscape.

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A Game of Runs and Resilience

The Valkyries came out aggressive, riding a dominant opening stretch fueled by center Temi Fágbénlé, who scored eight of Golden State’s first 15 points. Fágbénlé, who has been a steady interior presence this season, finished with 14 points, a season-high 13 rebounds, four blocks, and four steals — matching a career-best in thefts and setting a new high for blocks. Her impact in the paint helped the Valkyries own the glass, outrebounding the Sparks 56-34 and posting a franchise-record 19 offensive rebounds.

Despite the early advantage, the game tightened considerably in the second half. Both teams hit a scoring drought in the fourth quarter, going over four minutes without a field goal. In the final minute, Kelsey Plum buried a tough step-back three to give Los Angeles a late 78-76 edge. But Golden State’s persistence paid off — rookie guard Carla Leite answered with a composed driving layup to tie the game at 78, and the Valkyries' defense stifled Plum’s potential game-winner at the buzzer.

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Overtime Domination

While regulation was a tug-of-war, overtime was all Valkyries. Golden State outscored Los Angeles 11-3 in the extra frame, leaning on Thornton, Salaün, and clutch execution. Kayla Thornton drilled a pivotal three-pointer with 37.9 seconds left in OT to cap a five-point personal burst that swung momentum in Golden State’s favor. Thornton finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, delivering critical two-way plays throughout.

Veronica Burton, quiet for much of the night, made her first bucket of the game in overtime — a testament to the team's depth and perseverance. Salaün’s follow-up layup after a missed shot gave Golden State a two-possession cushion with just over two minutes to play, effectively sealing the win as Los Angeles faltered down the stretch.

The Sparks missed eight of their nine shot attempts in overtime, a collapse exacerbated by Golden State’s relentless defensive pressure and interior dominance.

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Julie Vanloo’s Playmaking Spark

With starter Cecilia Zandalasini absent while preparing for EuroBasket, veteran Julie Vanloo stepped into the starting lineup and orchestrated the offense with flair. Vanloo dished out a game-high eight assists, including six in the first half — most of them one-handed passes threading the needle through traffic. Her court vision and creativity helped establish the Valkyries' offensive rhythm early and created easy buckets for her teammates.

Though Vanloo didn’t score much, her ability to manipulate defenders and initiate ball movement provided a needed boost for a team that has often struggled to create in the half court.

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Sparks’ Standouts Fall Short

For the Sparks, Kelsey Plum led the way with 24 points, four 3-pointers, and seven assists — reaching 1,000 career assists in the process. Dearica Hamby contributed 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in a strong all-around effort. But Los Angeles struggled to find consistent offense late, managing just three points in the five-minute overtime period.

The Sparks are now 3-7 on the season and 1-3 in Commissioner’s Cup play. Their perimeter shooting woes were glaring: just 6-of-30 from beyond the arc, part of a combined 11-for-57 (19%) showing between both teams.

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Looking Ahead: A Critical Cup Stretch

Golden State’s win over Los Angeles gives them a significant boost as they aim to finish Commissioner's Cup play strong. With momentum on their side and several players peaking at the right time, the Valkyries will host the Seattle Storm at Chase Center this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast locally on KPIX (Bay Area) and KMAX (Sacramento), providing Northern California fans a chance to witness a team on the rise.

From Salaün’s breakout to Fágbénlé’s interior dominance and Vanloo’s surgical passing, the Valkyries are proving they have the pieces — and the toughness — to contend. While their season began unevenly, Golden State’s resilience and emerging depth could make them a dark horse as midseason approaches.

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Final Thoughts

The Valkyries’ win wasn’t just about individual performances — it was a validation of team identity. Their rebounding tenacity, willingness to make the extra pass, and poise in pressure situations reflect a culture taking shape under fire. If Salaün’s performance was any indication, Golden State’s future may be arriving sooner than expected.

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Stat Leaders:

• Golden State: Janelle Salaün (21 pts, 8 reb), Kayla Thornton (18 pts, 11 reb), Temi Fágbénlé (14 pts, 13 reb, 4 blk, 4 stl), Julie Vanloo (8 ast), Carla Leite (15 pts)
• Los Angeles: Kelsey Plum (24 pts, 7 ast), Dearica Hamby (20 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast)

Team Stats:

• Rebounds: GS 56, LA 34
• Offensive Rebounds: GS 19, LA 6
• 3P%: GS 14.8% (4-27), LA 20% (6-30)
• FT: GS 20-23 (87%)

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