SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Valkyries are reportedly sending shockwaves through the WNBA after a jaw-dropping performance that left the Portland Fire scorched and scrambling for answers. Sources close to the team say the Valkyries didn’t just win — they obliterated their own franchise record for three-pointers in a single game, nailing 18 of 40 from deep in a 95-77 blowout that has insiders buzzing about what this means for the rest of the league.
According to team insiders, the Valkyries’ offensive eruption was no accident. Head coach Natalie Nakase allegedly pointed to a defensive master plan that sparked the explosion. “When our defense creates transition, then we can kind of flow into these open threes,” Nakase explained post-game, suggesting the Valkyries have unlocked a new level of synergy. “It’s hard to match up to us when we’re maintaining space. And then also, our offensive rebounds generate open threes because it’s very similar to transition defense when you’re matching up.”
All-Star forward Kayla Thornton reportedly led the charge with 19 points, drilling 5-of-10 from behind the arc. Janelle Salaun wasn’t far behind, dropping 18 points on a blistering 60% shooting night. Thornton broke down the Valkyries’ secret weapon, revealing how they exploited Portland’s defensive scheme. “The way that Portland was playing, they were giving up a lot of the weakside threes,” Thornton said. “We were just kind of reading that, and we’re doing what the game was giving us.”
A Second-Quarter Firestorm That Nearly Made History
The Valkyries allegedly lit up the second quarter with 12 three-pointers — just one shy of the WNBA single-quarter record — outscoring the Fire 35-16 in that frame. Their 56-point first-half explosion reportedly tied the second-most points in any half in NBA history, a fact that has fans and analysts questioning whether any team can contain Golden State when they’re locked in.
“That second quarter was like a perfect storm,” one league observer told us. “If they keep shooting like this, the rest of the WNBA should be terrified.”
The Small-Ball Gamble That Paid Off Big
Perhaps the most intriguing development, according to insiders, was Nakase’s decision to go small-ball — a strategy that previously backfired against the Las Vegas Aces. Against Portland, the Valkyries reportedly deployed Thornton and Salaun at center when starter Kiah Stokes was on the bench, using their three-point shooting to stretch the floor and create havoc. “They don’t have the biggest bigs, it’s not like they have a high volume of post-ups,” Nakase said of the matchup. “So kind of thought about it, maybe we just try it. I thought [Salaun] thrived in it.”
Sources say the Valkyries’ five-out offense — where all five players can shoot, dribble, and score — left the Fire’s defense confused and stretched thin. Rookie Juste Jocyte, the former fifth overall pick, allegedly emerged as a key connector in those lineups, finishing with eight points and two threes. Nakase reportedly praised Jocyte’s poise. “I’m not looking at her scoring, I’m looking at her ability to kind of settle us sometimes,” Nakase said. “Her composure is, to me, the biggest thing.”
Other Developments That Have Insiders Talking
– Sources confirm that with the small-ball lineup thriving, backup center Laeticia Amihere played just one minute in garbage time. With Iliana Rupert out for the season, Golden State reportedly only has two true centers on the roster — but they chose to trust their shooters instead.
– Thornton’s five three-pointers against Portland and four against the Aces in the previous game mark the first time in her career she’s drained four threes in back-to-back games, according to team data.
– Veronica Burton reportedly played through a right quad contusion, still managing 10 points, nine assists, and a team-high plus/minus of +22 — a gritty performance that has fans calling her the heart of the Valkyries.
– The game also marked former Valkyrie Carla Leite’s first return to the Bay Area since Portland selected her in the expansion draft. When asked about facing her old teammate and fellow French player, Salaun reportedly smiled and said, “That was great. I love the fact that we won. A little bit” of bragging rights, she added with a grin.
As the Valkyries continue to rewrite their franchise record books, one thing is clear: this team is reportedly dangerous, and the rest of the league is reportedly on notice.
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