Golden State Valkyries’ Cecilia Zandalasini #24 guards Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum #10 in the first quarter of their WNBA game at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
By Michael Villanueva
SAN FRANCISCO – A California clash in “Ballhalla” on Monday night as the Golden State Valkyries hosted the Los Angeles Sparks, as this was the Golden State’s sixth game in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Valkyries and Sparks have gone 3-2 so far in the Cup and are hoping to make it 4-2 in Monday night’s matchup. Unfortunately, only one of them will go 4-2 in the Cup, and that’ll go to Golden State as they defeat Los Angeles, 78-58. The Valkyries also honored and celebrated Asian Heritage Night.
The Valkyries returned from Seattle last Friday after taking on the Storm and securing a road win, 76-72. Coming off the bench, Janelle Salaun would drop and lead the team with her 22 points, seven rebounds, and go 5-of-12 from deep. Her impact and shooting off the bench were important for Golden State, as the whole team made just 3 three-pointers compared to Salaun’s five.
So, trying to keep the momentum going and hoping to make this their third win in a row. Golden State sent out forwards Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Cecilia Zandalasini, center Kiah Stokes, and guard Veronica Burton. Gabby Williams has also been great at shooting the ball from deep, as in her last three games, Williams shot the ball at 40 percent beyond the arc.
The Los Angeles Sparks came into Chase Center with a 5-1 record on the road, and also a three game winning streak as well. So the Sparks sent out Nneka Ogwumike, Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Plum, Ariel Atkins, and Dearica Hamby. This season is also Los Angeles 30th season in the WNBA, and their best start since 4 years ago. Sparks guard Kelsey Plum is averaging 26.6 points per game this season and is leading the league in scoring.
Golden State’s Kiah Stokes got the game going here, in San Francisco, with a corner 23-foot three-pointer to hype up Ballhalla. Los Angeles started the game in the wrong direction; the Sparks would miss their first seven shots in the game. While Golden State would be able to get their offense going inside, they were also able to knock some shots down from deep, going 3-of-5 in the first quarter. Golden State has a 15-point lead in the , first 25-10, and the Sparks would end the last four minutes of the quarter on a scoring drought.
Heading into the second quarter, Golden State didn’t slow down on Los Angeles. The Valkyries would continue to see great success inside and in the paint for their offense. Golden State would finish the first half with 24 points over Los Angeles, 19 points in the paint. The Sparks shooting is also a big reason why Valkyries are all over them. Los Angeles is shooting 1-of-9 from deep, while Golden State only made just three more three-pointers, going 4-of-10. At halftime, the Valkyries held a 19-point lead, 45-26.
Also, Los Angeles Sparks Nneka Ogwumike would make a free throw in the second quarter, but that free throw wasn’t just any ordinary free throw. That shot would put her fourth all-time on the WNBA scoring list and has now recorded 7,500 points and going. Also, Golden State Valkyries Veronica Burton reached her 1,000th career point. The future of the WNBA is here!
At the start of the third quarter, the Valkyries were able to strike first with a quick layup in the paint. However, Los Angeles would have a much better shooting performance in the third quarter. With two minutes left of the third, the Sparks have already made more points than in the first half. They even cut the lead from 24 to 16 points. A big part of that was due to the Sparks going on a 10-0 scoring run, and their defense starting to pick up the pace.
Entering the final quarter, Golden State was holding on to a 14-point lead, 61-47. With Los Angeles trying their last efforts and Golden State trying to hold them off. Both teams would go back and forth on exchanging buckets. At the halfway mark, Golden State’s Gabbi Williams would hit a deep 27-foot three-pointer. Valkyries would push the lead back to 16 points.
With time running out for the Sparks and everything going right for the Valkyries. Golden State would ultimately get the win by 20 points on this California clash against Los Angeles. The Valkyries were led by Gabby Williams, who had herself 16 points, four rebounds, and one steal. She was also helped from the bench, especially Kaila Charles. Charles had 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
With a quick, one-day rest, the Golden State Valkyries will come back home on Wednesday evening to host the Dallas Wings. This matchup will be the final play of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, but also the two teams’ first time playing against each other this season. So this will be the Valkyries’ first take on Azzi Fudd, who was the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The game will start at 7 p.m. as Dallas and Golden State are both hoping to continue their winning streaks.
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