Golden State Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen (2) celebrates after making a basket against the Portland Fire in the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – After a month off for the FIBA World Cup, the Golden State Valkyries (30-11) returned to Ballhalla and earned their 30th win of the season on the Portland Fire (16-26) this Friday night. With four days left of Summer and four games left of the season, the Valkyries plan to end their summer by winning the rest of their games. The last time we saw the Valkyries in action was on Sunday, August 30th, when they also last played Portland Fire last time in Portland. Golden State won that game 86-69.

Portland Fire sent out guards Carla Leite and Nyadiew Puoch, forwards Karlie Samuelson, Emily Engstler, and center Megan Dileo. Engstler is scoring 10.3 points per game and averaging 5.6 rebounds for Portland. Also, Bridget Carleton has been averaging 2 made 3-pointers in the last ten games. Fire has not won a game against the Valkyries this entire season.

The home team sent out guards Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes, forwards Kayla Thornton, Kaila Charles, and center Kiah Stokes. Burton is averaging 12.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals for the Valkyries. Hayes is also averaging 12.6 points in the last ten games. Golden State is trying to get the first-place seeding for the postseason. If the Minnesota Lynx, currently in first place, lose just any of the last four games, and the Valkyries win the rest. Golden State can take the first-place spot and ultimately give them home-court advantage for the entire playoffs.

Valkyries Kayla Thornton would get the game going with the first basket of the night, after both teams had a rough start to their shooting. Then the Valkyries would hold a 7-2 lead over Portland, with five of those points coming from Thornton. However, at the end of the first quarter, Portland would hold a 1-point lead, 20-19.

In the middle of the second quarter, Portland’s Serah Williams hit a milestone, grabbing 100 career rebounds. That would be the Fire’s biggest moment in the second quarter, as the Valkyries’ shooting started to fall off. Golden State would have a 21-point second quarter compared to Portland’s 10-point second quarter. A big part of that came from the Valkyries’ Kaitlin Chen and Kayla Thornton when they hit back-to-back 3-pointers and pushed the lead to 12 points, 39-27. At halftime, Golden State led by 10 points, 40-30.

Going into the third quarter, the Valkyries offense really took over this Friday night game. Golden State would drop 27-points alone in that quarter. The Valkyries’ defense really showed out in this game as they put up 7 blocks with 14 steals. Golden State’s Veronica Burton would finish this game with 6 steals by herself. With defense picking up for the Valkyries, Portland’s three-point shooting suffered as they went 8-for-29. (28%)

At the start of the final quarter of the game, Golden State’s lead on Portland would jump to 18 points, 67-49. The Valkyries in this game were also honoring and celebrating Japanese Heritage Night. So, Valkyries player of the game was Laeticia Amihere, who came off the bench for Golden State. Amihere, in 22 minutes, would have 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. The final score at Chase Center would be 82-66.

Golden State Valkyries will play their final regular-season home game against the Seattle Storm tomorrow, Saturday, September 18th, at 6:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Prime Video. However, Golden State will see Portland one last time on Tuesday, September 22nd, in Portland. If the Valkyries win, Golden State will get the season series sweep over Portland.