On the night of May 21, 2025, the Golden State Valkyries made history at Chase Center in San Francisco, clinching their first-ever WNBA victory in a nail-biting 76-74 showdown against the Washington Mystics. The game, a fast-paced and chaotic battle, showcased the grit of the league’s newest expansion team and the resilience of a rebuilding Mystics squad. With standout performances, a scary injury, and a dramatic finish, this matchup had fans on the edge of their seats and marked a milestone for the Valkyries’ young franchise.
The Mystics entered the game riding high, aiming for a 3-0 start to their season after a strong draft and a revamped roster. Led by new head coach Sydney Johnson, Washington fielded a starting lineup featuring Sug Sutton, Brittney Sykes, rookie Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and veteran Stefanie Dolson. The Valkyries, in their third game as a franchise, leaned on players like Julie Vanloo, who faced her former team, and Veronica Burton, who would emerge as the night’s hero.
The game started with a bang as the Mystics jumped out to an early lead, fueled by a 16-0 run in the first quarter. Brittney Sykes, a key veteran for Washington, was a force, scoring efficiently and setting the tone for the Mystics’ high-octane offense. By the end of the third quarter, the score was tight, with the Valkyries leading 47-46, thanks to second-chance opportunities that kept them in the game despite Washington’s dominance. As one X user, @Mason_Kinnahan, noted, “Washington has led by as many as 9 in this game but the second chance opportunities Golden State is getting is what’s keeping them in this game.”
The fourth quarter was pure drama. The Mystics’ depth, led by their second-half scoring prowess (averaging 51 points in the second half league-wide), threatened to overwhelm Golden State’s inexperienced bench. Washington’s defense, known for averaging 3.5 steals and 3.5 blocks in the second half, kept the pressure on. However, the Valkyries found their spark in Veronica Burton, who erupted for 14 of her 22 points in the final frame, including a dagger shot that sealed the 76-74 victory. As the WNBA’s official X account posted, “The last 2 minutes of Mystics vs. Valkyries? Pure ✨cinema✨.”
The game wasn’t without its tense moments. Late in the second quarter, Golden State’s guard Tiffany Hayes suffered a frightening injury after taking an inadvertent arm to the face from Washington’s Shakira Austin. Hayes went down hard and remained on the court for several minutes, causing concern among players, coaches, and fans. She was helped off the court and did not return, casting a shadow over the Valkyries’ eventual triumph. No official update on Hayes’ condition was available immediately after the game, but her absence in the second half put additional pressure on Golden State’s roster.
Veronica Burton was the undisputed star for the Valkyries, finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Her clutch performance in the fourth quarter, including critical shots down the stretch, earned praise from fans and analysts alike. X user @kendra__andrews highlighted her impact, stating, “The Valkyries notch their first win in franchise history with a 76-74 victory over the Mystics. Wasn’t always pretty, but they got it done.”
For the Mystics, Brittney Sykes led the charge, but the team struggled to find consistent offense beyond her. Rookie Sonia Citron, drafted third overall, showed flashes of her 3-and-D potential, while Kiki Iriafen, the No. 4 pick, brought physicality in the post. However, the absence of Georgia Amoore, sidelined with an ACL injury from training camp, and the recent trade of sharpshooter Karlie Samuelson to Minnesota left Washington’s backcourt stretched thin.
Julie Vanloo, now with the Valkyries after playing for the Mystics last season, made an impact against her former team, contributing 14 points, including four three-pointers, and four rebounds. Her performance was a reminder of her value to Golden State’s roster, as noted in a WNBA X post: “Julie Vanloo returns to face the team she once suited up for.”
The Mystics are in the midst of a rebuild, with three top-six picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft shaping their future. Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and the injured Georgia Amoore were expected to form a new core alongside young talents like Shakira Austin and Aaliyah Edwards. The team also drafted Iowa’s Lucy Olsen and Alabama’s Zaay Green in later rounds, adding depth to a roster that went 18-26 last season and missed the playoffs by one game. However, the loss of veterans like Ariel Atkins (traded to Chicago) and Elena Delle Donne (retired) has put pressure on Washington’s young players to step up early.
The Valkyries, meanwhile, are building from the ground up as the WNBA’s newest expansion team. Their draft, headlined by Lithuania’s Justė Jocytė at No. 5 overall and Shyanne Sellers at No. 17, aimed to blend international talent with college standouts. While their debut game against the L.A. Sparks was a 84-67 loss marked by 22 turnovers, the win against the Mystics showed their potential. Sellers, initially projected to be a Mystics pick, has been a fan favorite, with her recent engagement adding to her off-court buzz.
Analysts have mixed views on the Valkyries’ draft, with ESPN noting that their selections, while promising, may take time to gel given the team’s lack of experience. For the Mystics, their draft haul earned high marks, with Citron and Iriafen seen as immediate contributors. However, as one X user, @itszenakeita, posted, “This Mystics team…may have been slept on,” suggesting Washington’s potential to surprise despite their loss.
For the Valkyries, this victory is a building block. Their next challenge will be harnessing their young talent, including Jocytė and Sellers, while addressing depth issues exposed by Hayes’ injury. Coach Natalie Nakase will look to build on Burton’s breakout performance and Vanloo’s veteran presence to establish a consistent identity for the franchise.
The Mystics, now 2-1, face a tougher road. Their upcoming preseason matchup against the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever on May 3 will test their young roster further. With Amoore out and Samuelson traded, Washington will rely heavily on Sykes, Austin, and their rookies to carry the load. Coach Sydney Johnson, a former Princeton standout, is focused on developing her team’s chemistry, especially after their strong second-half scoring (51 points on average) couldn’t overcome Golden State’s late surge.
The Valkyries’ first win is more than just a number in the standings—it’s a statement for a franchise looking to carve out its place in the WNBA. For the Mystics, the loss stings but highlights the growing pains of a team in transition. As both squads move forward, this game will be remembered as a thrilling chapter in their 2025 journeys, with Burton’s heroics and the Mystics’ resilience setting the stage for more exciting matchups.
The WNBA’s growth, with new teams like the Valkyries and rebuilding franchises like the Mystics, continues to captivate fans. As the league tweeted, “Double the matchups. Double the fire.” This game lived up to that hype, delivering a mix of heart, hustle, and history that will resonate in San Francisco and Washington for weeks to come.
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