Valkyries instant analysis: Offense can't score in loss to Sky
SAN FRANCISCO - After two straight games of offensive proficiency to begin this season, the Valkyries struggled to find a rhythm against the Chicago Sky.
Golden State scored at least 90 points in back-to-back games against the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury, but couldn't crack 70 on Wednesday night in a 69-63 loss to the Sky at Chase Center.
"The physicality for the Sky, their defense was great. I just felt the on-ball pressure, they’re definitely trying to take away the paint for us to punch paint and then obviously sprout threes,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “We are a defensive team, so I put this one on me. I have to make sure that they understand who we are, and I have to maintain and punch more into our discipline and the layers of our defense, that has to be there. We can’t just rely on getting Ballhalla all excited in terms of our shooting."
After ending the first quarter with a nine-point lead, the Valkyries struggled to find their groove as they gave up their lead early in the third period.
A flurry of buckets from Skylar Diggins and Rickea Jackson helped Chicago gain the advantage as the two combined to score 19 points in the second half.
Golden State was within a possession of the Sky up until the final minute, but one sequence proved to be costly.
After doubling center Kamilla Cardoso in the post with just over a minute left, the Valkyries left Jackson open from the left wing. Cardoso found Jackson spotting up and she swished a 3-pointer to give Chicago a five-point lead.
On the next possession, Veronica Burton turned the ball over, and the Sky hit enough free throws to close the game.
Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 18 points. Burton scored 16 points and had five turnovers.
Jackson led the Sky with 18 points while Diggins pitched in 15.
Cecilia Zandalasini (concussion) and Tiffany Hayes (finger) each missed their second straight game with injuries for Golden State. Chicago was without guard Courtney Vandersloot and center Azura Stevens.
Stokes breakout
The Valkyries had a hard time figuring out Kiah Stokes' role in the starting lineup as the veteran is not a 3-point shooter.
Going into Wednesday's game, each of the Valkyries' three worst lineups per 100 possessions included Stokes at center.
But against the Sky, the Valkyries seemed to have figured out how to use Stokes to open the game. She finished with seven points, five blocks and 11 rebounds while doing a solid job containing Cardoso, who finished with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting.
"She does all the little things and the big things,” Williams said of Stokes. “Her presence in the key on defense is incredible. Her ability to get her hands on the ball, tip the ball out when she can’t rebound, but just do all those things that don’t necessarily show up on the stat sheet. She’s a really, really smart player on defense and on offense, and she brought us a lot of good things tonight."
Thornton, Salaün struggle
The two most consistent scorers for the Valkyries' previous two games couldn't buy a bucket on Wednesday.
Kayla Thornton was held scoreless in 30 minutes and Janelle Salaün finished with six points off the bench. Thornton had a plus-minus rating of -2 and Salaün was -9.
The duo had 83 points in the Valkyries’ two wins, but couldn't find a way to hit perimeter shots as they were 1-for-16 against the Sky defenders, including 0-for-11 for Thornton.
Nakase said she wasn’t worried about either player’s performance and told both to keep shooting throughout the game.
“We know we could shoot, but again, I don’t want to rely on that,” Nakase said. “So right now, it’s just about continuing to give them the confidence to keep doing that.”
Rotation stays the same
Nakase once again stuck with the same starting five while bringing in Salaün, Laeticia Amihere and Kaitlyn Chen off the bench.
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda and newly signed Ashten Prechtel did not play while developmental player Miela Sowah was inactive.
With eight days until their next game, Nakase said she will look to evaluate the Valkyries’ health going forward.
“I did a lot the last week, and this is on me when I need to rest them, and then when I need to push them in practice. I’m taking notes on how I did that, and sometimes I get too excited, so I have to be very smart,” Nakase said. “I also told them that you guys have to be honest with me as well. So it’s a great week for us to push the buttons, but also be really direct on how we could work on our weaknesses from this game."
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 9:27 PM.