Janelle Salaun leads Valkyries with 20 points as team overcomes injuries to secure victory
Category: Sports
SEATTLE — The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their 2026 WNBA season with a strong performance, defeating the Seattle Storm 91-80 on Friday night. Janelle Salaun was the standout player, scoring 20 points and tying her career high with five three-pointers. Veronica Burton contributed significantly as well, adding 16 points to the team’s total.
The Valkyries demonstrated their offensive prowess, leading 49-41 at halftime and extending their advantage to 69-53 after three quarters. Kaitlyn Chen played a key role in the second half, scoring all 14 of her points during that period, and Kayla Thornton chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Valkyries excelled from beyond the arc, with seven different players making a three-pointer, finishing the game with a total of 15 out of 37 attempts.
Gabby Williams, a notable offseason acquisition for Golden State, returned to Seattle, where she played from 2022 to 2025, and contributed seven points, six rebounds, and four assists. Williams’ return to the city added an emotional layer to the game, as she faced her former team.
On the opposing side, the Storm's Dominique Malonga led the team with 21 points, showing resilience in the face of adversity. Zia Cooke added 15 points off the bench, and Jade Melbourne contributed 13 points. Flau’jae Johnson, the Storm's No. 8 draft pick, scored 12 points but struggled with her shooting, finishing 3-of-12 from the field.
Seattle faced challenges beyond the scoreline, as the team is expected to be without starter Ezi Magbegor for six to eight weeks due to a right foot injury. This loss could impact their performance in upcoming games, putting additional pressure on the remaining players to step up.
In the first half, Golden State also faced injury setbacks, losing two players. Tiffany Hayes left the game early in the first quarter due to a left pinky injury, and Cecilia Zandalasini sustained a jaw injury in the second quarter. These injuries raised concerns about the Valkyries' depth as they move forward in the season.
Looking ahead, the Valkyries are set to open their home schedule on Sunday against the Phoenix Mercury. This matchup will be a test of their resilience and ability to adapt after dealing with injuries. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm will travel to Connecticut for their next game, hoping to regroup and find a way to bounce back from this loss.
As the season progresses, both teams will need to navigate their respective challenges. The Valkyries will aim to build on their opening victory, leveraging their depth and shooting capabilities, especially if they can recover from injuries. The Storm, on the other hand, will need to find ways to fill the gap left by Magbegor's absence and improve their shooting efficiency.
In the end, the Valkyries' victory sets a positive tone for their season, and they will look to capitalize on this momentum as they face tougher opponents in the coming weeks. The performance of players like Salaun and Burton will be key as they seek to establish themselves as contenders in the league.
The match on Friday marked a promising start to the 2026 WNBA season, with the Valkyries showing potential to be a formidable force.