Ballhalla Rising — Valkyries Slay Mercury in Historic Home Opener
Ballhalla Rising — Valkyries Slay Mercury in Historic Home Opener
SAN FRANCISCO — If there were any doubts that the "Golden State" magic extends to the WNBA, the atmosphere at Chase Center on Sunday night silenced them. In front of a raucous, sell-out crowd of 18,064, the Golden State Valkyries moved to 2-0 on the young 2026 season, dismantling the Phoenix Mercury 95-79.
In what has affectionately become known as "Ballhalla," the second-year franchise didn't just win; they dominated, proving that their historic inaugural playoff run was no fluke.
The Salaün Spark
While the stars were out in San Francisco—including legendary Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer—it was Janelle Salaün who stole the show. Coming off the bench, Salaün was a walking bucket, dropping a game-high 21 points on an incredibly efficient 7-of-9 shooting. She was a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, acting as the catalyst for a Valkyries offense that looks lightyears ahead of where it was last spring.
Home Debuts and Double-Doubles
The night belonged to more than just the scoreboard. All-Star forward Gabby Williams made her highly anticipated home debut after signing last month, contributing 19 points and five rebounds. Her presence gives the Valkyries a level of veteran poise that was evident when Phoenix tried to mount a late-game surge.
Meanwhile, Veronica Burton played the role of maestro, orchestrating the offense to the tune of 13 points and 12 assists. It was her sixth career double-double, but perhaps her most meaningful, as she also took the mic pre-game to welcome the fans back to Ballhalla.
Key Takeaways
Valkyries Ball: After falling behind 7-0 early, Golden State flipped the switch. Led by Kayla Thornton (19 points), the Valkyries went on a staggering 33-8 run. "We're playing Valkyries ball," Thornton said postgame. "We were all locked in on defense... then it just flows to our offense, which is beautiful."
Mercury Burnout: Phoenix entered the night on a high after a record-breaking 33-point road win over the Aces on Saturday. However, the back-to-back took its toll. Alyssa Thomas flirted with a triple-double (19 pts, 11 ast, 9 reb) but committed six turnovers as the Phoenix offense sputtered against Golden State’s length.
Amihere’s Impact: Laeticia Amihere was the unsung hero of the night, finishing with a game-best plus-33 differential. Her 13 points, six rebounds, and three blocks provided the interior grit that limited Phoenix to just a handful of second-chance points.
Breaking the Curse: This marked the Valkyries' first-ever win against the Mercury after being swept 4-0 in their inaugural season.
The Stats
Player Points Notable
Janelle Salaün (GSV) 21 4-4 from 3PT
Gabby Williams (GSV) 19 Home debut for the All-Star
Veronica Burton (GSV) 13 12 Assists (Double-Double)
Alyssa Thomas (PHO) 19 9 Rebounds, 11 Assists
The Bottom Line: The Valkyries are no longer the "new kids on the block." With a 2-0 start and a fan base that has turned Chase Center into a fortress, Golden State is playing with a "Zero Filter" confidence that should have the rest of the league on notice.
Up Next: The Mercury head home to host the Lynx on Tuesday, while the Valkyries look to keep the momentum going at home against Chicago on Wednesday.
