Portland Fire – Sports Radio Service

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, 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.

Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts after making a three-point shot over Frieda Buhner #20 of the Portland Fire in the first half during a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game at Chase Center on June 2, 2026, in San Francisco, California .(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – This Tuesday evening, the WNBA tipped off the Commissioner’s Cup at Ballhalla with the Golden State Valkyries defeating the Portland Fire, 92-23. This was Portland’s first time ever playing here at Chase Center, as they were set to join the WNBA this year as the league’s 15th team. After the Valkyries’ last home game loss to Las Vegas, Golden State bounced back at home and got their first win for the Cup against Portland. Golden State is now 6-3 in its first nine games of the season. Portland Fire drops to 6-5 for the season so far.

The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup is an annual in-season competition that links top competition to community impact is the Commissioner’s Cup, sponsored by Coinbase. From June 1–17, there will be 49 games in the event. A $500,000 prize pool and the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game will be contested by the team from each conference with the best record in Commissioner’s Cup games. The team with the highest winning percentage in regular-season games through June 17 will host the championship game on Tuesday, June 30.

The Valkyries started guards Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini, forwards Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, and center Kiah Stokes as their five. In Golden State’s last game, they hosted the Las Vegas Aces, but lost, 91-81, just two days ago. They were led by forward Gabby Williams, 20 points, on her 4-of-6 shooting from three pointers. So the Valkyries were determined to make this home game a win and start the Commissioners Cup with a win in the tournament bracket.

Portland went with gaurds Carla Leite (former Valkyrie player), Bridget Carleton, forwards Nyadiew Puoch, Emily Engstler, and center Megan Gustafson as their starting five. Portland, in their last game, hosted and defeated the Indiana Fever, 100-84, just three days ago. Fires center Megan Gustafson led Portland with her 22 points, and went perfect from the floor, 8-of-8 on field goals. Portland is hoping to make this game their second win in a row.

Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton would hit a corner three to start the game off, here, in San Francisco. Then, in the next possession, Portland would respond with their forward Emily Engstler knocking down a 26-foot three-point jumper to get Fire on the board for the night.

However, Valkyrie Kayla Thornton was feeling herself from the start, as she made the first three 3-pointers for Golden State. Thornton would end with 11 points by herself in the first quarter, and give help the Valkyries the lead, 21-20.

At halftime, Golden State had a 20-point lead over Portland, 56-36. The Valkyries’ shooting in the first half is what gave them the control the whole night. Even though Portland was dominated in the paint, Fire had scored 22 of their points in the paint. Golden State was shooting above the 50% almost the entire second quarter. In fact, the Valkyries set a team record, making 12 three-pointers in the first half.

At the start of the third quarter, Fire would go on a quick 4-0 scoring run, and would cut the lead to 14 points. Then Golden State’s Veronica Burton would hit a 24-foot three-pointer to extend the team’s lead. Then, right in the next possession, Valkyrie Kiah Stokes joins the party and knocks down a three-pointer of her own. By the end of the quarter, Golden State had an 18-point lead, 74-56, going into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, Portland would get as close as eight points from the lead. Halfway through the fourth quarter, the score was 75-67. However, Golden State just never let up from their shooting and would knock down multiple three-pointers that led them to a win in Ballhalla. In fact, the Valkyires have set a new single-game franchise record with 18 three-point field goals made.

The Valkyries win this one, due from an explosive second quarter performance. The Valkyries would drop 35 points, just in the second quarter. Their shooting ability really showed off for the home crowd as Golden State starts this month off with a win. Golden State was led in this game by Kayla Thornton’s 19 points, eight rebounds, and her 5-of-10 shooting from deep.

The Golden State Valkyries will head on the road to Minnesota, to face off against the Lynx, who are currently 1st in the West (7-2) at the Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx are being led by Courtney Williams, who averages 17.8 points per game. The tip-off will be at 6:00 p.m., Thursday evening, broadcast on Prime Video.

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