The Golden State Valkyries and the Seattle Storm have played several close and exciting games during the 2026 WNBA season. Every match between these two teams has brought strong player performances, big scoring runs, and tight finishes. If you want to know how each game went and which players stood out, this article covers everything in simple, easy words.
In this guide, we will look at the main matches between the Valkyries and the Storm, break down the player stats from each game, and explain what these numbers mean for both teams. Whether you are a new WNBA fan or someone who follows every game closely, this article will help you understand the matchup better.
A Quick Look at the Season Series
The Golden State Valkyries and Seattle Storm have faced each other more than once this season, and the Valkyries have come out on top in most of these matches. Across their recent head to head games, Golden State has shown better shooting, stronger bench scoring, and more consistent defense. Seattle, on the other hand, has struggled to find rhythm against the Valkyries, even though individual players on the Storm have put up strong personal numbers.
Looking at their history together, the Valkyries hold a clear edge. Since 2025, the two teams have played seven games, and Golden State has won five of them. The Valkyries have averaged about 76.6 points per game in these matchups, while the Storm has averaged around 70.9 points per game. This shows that Golden State has been the stronger team in this rivalry so far, even though Seattle has had moments where they pushed the games close.
Game Recap: April 25, 2026 (Valkyries Win 78-76)
This was a very close game and one of the most exciting matchups between the two teams. The Golden State Valkyries won by just two points, 78-76, in a game that came down to the final minutes.
For Golden State, Mikiah Sowah was the top scorer with 14 points, shooting an efficient 5 of 6 from the field. Dominique Malonga and Kate Martin also had good games on the boards, each grabbing 7 rebounds. Veronica Burton led the team in assists with 3.
For Seattle, Flau’jae Johnson was the top scorer with 12 points on 5 of 10 shooting. Storm guard Tiffany Mair added 4 assists in the game.
The shooting numbers tell an interesting story. Golden State shot 46 percent from the field, while Seattle shot only 39 percent. The Valkyries were also much better from three point range, hitting 45 percent of their shots compared to Seattle’s 39 percent. Despite this, Seattle actually led the game for parts of it, and the lead changed hands 16 times before Golden State pulled ahead at the end. This game showed that even when the Valkyries have better shooting numbers, the Storm can still make things difficult until the final whistle.
Game Recap: May 8, 2026 (Valkyries Win 91-80)
This game was the season opener for both teams, and it turned into a big win for Golden State. The Valkyries beat the Storm 91-80 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Janelle Salaün was the standout player of the night. She scored a team-high 20 points and tied her career best with five 3-pointers. She shot 7 of 16 from the field and 5 of 11 from beyond the arc, showing great shooting confidence right from the start of the season.
Veronica Burton also had a strong game, finishing with 16 points and a team-high six assists. She scored 14 of her points in the first half alone, showing how she can control the pace of a game early on. Kaitlyn Chen came off the bench and had a career night too, scoring 14 points, with seven of those points coming in a big third quarter push.
As a team, Golden State made 15 three-pointers in this game, which was just one shy of tying the franchise record. This shows how important three point shooting has become for the Valkyries this season. Head coach Natalie Nakase spoke after the game about the team settling into their rhythm as the match went on, noting that once the nerves faded, the team played strong defense and found their flow.
For Seattle, the loss dropped them to 0-1 to start the year, and the team would need to find answers quickly against a Golden State squad that looked sharp from the very first game.
Game Recap: June 12, 2026 (Valkyries Win 76-72)
The third matchup between these teams came during Commissioner’s Cup play, and once again, the Valkyries found a way to win, though this time it was a much tighter finish.
Janelle Salaün continued her hot shooting from beyond the arc, scoring a team-high 22 points with five more three-pointers. Gabby Williams, who used to play for the Storm before joining Golden State, added 19 points against her former team. This game had extra meaning for Williams, since she was facing the team she once played for.
Golden State built a solid lead in the third quarter, going up 69-57 with about four minutes left in the game. However, the Valkyries went cold from the field after that, missing 15 of their next 16 shot attempts. This allowed Seattle to fight back and cut the lead down to just one point late in the fourth quarter.
In the end, free throws made the difference. Tiffany Hayes, coming off the bench, made two free throws with under thirty seconds left to help seal the win. She finished the game with 17 points. Veronica Burton also played a big role, recording 11 points and eight assists. On defense, Kiah Stokes blocked a three point attempt in the final seconds to help stop Seattle’s comeback.
For Seattle, Natisha Hiedeman had the best game of her career, scoring a career-high 26 points with five three-pointers of her own. Despite her strong performance, the Storm could not complete the comeback and fell to 3-12 on the season, extending their losing streak to eight straight games.
Player Stats Comparison Table
Here is a simple table showing some of the top individual performances across these three matchups.
| Player | Team | Game Date | Points | Rebounds | Assists | 3-Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janelle Salaün | Golden State | May 8, 2026 | 20 | – | – | 5 |
| Janelle Salaün | Golden State | June 12, 2026 | 22 | – | – | 5 |
| Veronica Burton | Golden State | June 12, 2026 | 11 | – | 8 | – |
| Veronica Burton | Golden State | May 8, 2026 | 16 | – | 6 | – |
| Gabby Williams | Golden State | June 12, 2026 | 19 | – | – | – |
| Tiffany Hayes | Golden State | June 12, 2026 | 17 | – | – | – |
| Mikiah Sowah | Golden State | April 25, 2026 | 14 | – | – | – |
| Flau’jae Johnson | Seattle | April 25, 2026 | 12 | – | – | – |
| Natisha Hiedeman | Seattle | June 12, 2026 | 26 | – | – | 5 |
This table shows that Golden State has had more players step up across different games, while Seattle has often relied on one strong scoring performance to try and keep games close.
Key Players to Watch
A few players have made a big difference in this matchup so far.
Janelle Salaün has been Golden State’s most dangerous three point shooter in these games, scoring 20 or more points in more than one matchup against Seattle. Her shooting has helped the Valkyries build early leads.
Veronica Burton has shown she can score and pass well. She has recorded double digit assists potential in these games and often leads the team in that category, making her a key playmaker for Golden State.
Gabby Williams brings extra motivation when facing Seattle since she used to play for the Storm. Her all-around game, including scoring and defense, has helped Golden State in tight moments.
Natisha Hiedeman has been Seattle’s brightest spot in this matchup, especially in the June game where she set a career high in points. She shows that even in a season with many losses, individual players on the Storm can still shine.
Flau’jae Johnson, a rookie for Seattle, has also shown promise. She ranks among the top rookies in scoring and blocks this season, which suggests she could be a building block for the Storm’s future.
What This Means Going Forward
Based on these three matchups, the Golden State Valkyries have clearly been the stronger team against the Seattle Storm this season. Golden State’s deep three point shooting, along with steady playmaking from Veronica Burton, has given them an edge in close games. Seattle has shown fight, especially with players like Hiedeman and Johnson having big moments, but the team has not yet found a way to finish games strong against the Valkyries.
For Seattle, the road ahead will likely involve leaning more on young talent and finding ways to close out tight fourth quarters. For Golden State, keeping their bench scoring strong, as seen with Kaitlyn Chen and Tiffany Hayes, will be important as they continue through the season.
Fans of both teams can expect more close, exciting basketball if these two teams meet again later in the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won more games between the Golden State Valkyries and the Seattle Storm?
The Golden State Valkyries have won more matchups against the Seattle Storm this season and in their history overall. Since 2025, the two teams have played seven games, and the Valkyries have won five of them.
Which player has scored the most points in a single game between these two teams?
Natisha Hiedeman of the Seattle Storm had the highest single game total in these matchups, scoring a career-high 26 points with five three-pointers during the June 12, 2026 game. On the Golden State side, Janelle Salaün has had the top individual scoring games, including 22 points in the same June matchup.
What makes the Golden State Valkyries strong against the Seattle Storm?
The Valkyries have been strong against the Storm mainly because of their three point shooting and balanced scoring. Players like Janelle Salaün, Veronica Burton, and Gabby Williams have all contributed big scoring games, while bench players like Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen have added extra points when needed. This mix of starters and bench scoring has helped Golden State win close games against Seattle.
