Salaun leads – Janelle Salaun delivered 20 points with five 3-pointers as Golden State opened the season by beating Seattle 91-80.
Golden State set the tone for its season opener with a confident win over the Seattle Storm, turning Friday night into a statement performance powered by sharp shooting and timely scoring.
Janelle Salaun led the way with 20 points, matching a personal best by knocking down five three-pointers.. Veronica Burton contributed 16, while Kaitlyn Chen scored all 14 of her points in the second half to keep the pressure on.. Golden State controlled the tempo early. taking a 49-41 lead at halftime and then widening the gap to 69-53 after three quarters.
That offensive surge mattered because it disrupted Seattle’s ability to settle into a rhythm, forcing the Storm to play catch-up for much of the contest.
The Valkyries found production across the roster, with seven different players converting from beyond the arc and the team finishing 15-of-37 from distance. Kayla Thornton added 13 and the supporting cast helped sustain momentum even as Seattle continued to fight through stretches.
For Seattle, Dominique Malonga paced the scoring with 21 points, and Zia Cooke added 15 off the bench. Jade Melbourne chipped in with 13, while Flau’jae Johnson contributed 12 points despite a tough shooting night.
Misryoum: The mix of Golden State’s scoring and the willingness to spread the ball points to a team that can generate offense even when one option is tightly covered.
Gabby Williams returned to Seattle after her offseason move back and recorded seven points, six rebounds, and four assists, adding an immediate physical presence to the lineup. Meanwhile, both teams also dealt with injury concerns that could shape how their rotations look going forward.
Golden State suffered setbacks in the first half, with starter Tiffany Hayes leaving early due to a left pinky injury and Cecilia Zandalasini also not returning after a jaw injury. Seattle, meanwhile, is expected to be without starter Ezi Magbegor for six to eight weeks due to a right foot injury.
With the first result in the books, Golden State now turns to Sunday’s home opener against Phoenix, while Seattle looks to regroup after a loss that highlighted both offensive potential and the need to manage momentum better.
Misryoum insight: Early-season games often reveal a team’s identity faster than its standings do, and this one underscored Golden State’s emphasis on perimeter pressure and second-half execution.