NEW YORK — On her 13th assist of the night, the Valkyries’ Veronica Burton drove past her defender on the perimeter, pulled up around the net and bounced a pass to Kiah Stokes, who scored easily. That move caused Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones of the Liberty to lunge away and fall to the floor as New York called timeout.
A night after thrashing the Sun in Connecticut, the Valkyries toppled New York 79-60 on Wednesday to sweep the season series 3-0. Burton finished with a season-high 13 assists and zero turnovers along with her eight points, while Cecilia Zandalasini netted a game-high 20 points, just three off her career-high. Gabby Williams chipped in with 16 as all 14 Valkyries played a part in the victory.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 27: Cecilia Zandalasini #24 of the Golden State Valkyries celebrates her three point shot in the first half against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on August 27, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase borrowed a phrase made famous by another Golden State team in explaining her team’s success.
“It’s the totality of our strength in numbers. It’s all 14 players doing their job, being ready to go, winning in multiple ways,” Nakase said. “I think that’s really our key: that strength in numbers.”
It was New York’s worst offensive performance of the season with a season-low in points, and with its paltry 30.2% field goal percentage. That effort came just four days after the Liberty scored 109 points against Indiana.
All three of New York’s lowest-scoring games this season have come against the Valkyries.
“I think we started the game very well, and then we kind of grew from that,” said Zandalasini. “You know, they’re very good players, but we prepared for the game very well. Everybody was locked in. We knew what we had to do.”
It was the 10th time in Golden State’s last 14 games that it has posted 20 or more assists as a team. Kaitlyn Chen netted her 100th career assist during her 11 minutes off the bench. But it was Burton’s high-flying dimes that kept the ball moving and gave the Valkyries their 28th win of the season.
It almost didn’t go nearly as well.
Burton collided with New York’s Pauline Astier less than two minutes into the opening quarter. And after holding her stomach on the ground for a moment, she walked to the locker room with head trainer Katlin Knox. Burton returned to the bench about three minutes later. She checked back in with 2:36 left in the first.
In the fourth quarter, Burton also got hit by a hard foul from New York’s Jones and limped off, but stayed in the game following a timeout. The Valkyries’ coaching staff’s pleas to the officiating crew for a flagrant foul call were not successful.
“(Burton is) relentless,” said Nakase. “So I was a little bit nervous for her safety, but again, she’s resilient. And then again, 13 assists, zero turnovers. It’s just her composure.”
Williams said the Valkyries have gotten used to not getting calls they feel they should get, like the foul on Burton.
“I think, obviously, like we’re not as respected, I think, as other teams, and that includes like what kind of whistles we get,” Williams said. “So we’ve had to play through that all season, especially (Burton has) had to play through some tough ones. So it actually ended up working in our favor because she wasn’t phased by the physicality tonight.”
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 27: Rebekah Gardner #7 of the New York Liberty and Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries fight for the ball at Barclays Center on August 27, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Golden State Valkyries defeated the New York Liberty 79-60. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Valkyries led 21-19 after the first quarter, a two-point advantage that was a bigger deal than it appeared.
“I think our start set the tone, and getting deflections,” Williams said. “We’re able to run. You know, they’re a really athletic and great lengthy team. So when you can run on teams like that, it can work to your advantage.
“And I think our offense was actually led to us being a good defense team, and us having good spacing and good shot selection actually helped our defense too.”
The All-Star Williams picked up her third foul in the second quarter, but the Valkyries defense handled New York even without her on the floor. They held the Liberty to 30% shooting in the opening half to lead 42-30 at the break.
The Valkyries led by as much as 14 before the Liberty brought it back to a 10-point game late in the third, but pretty quickly, Golden State pulled away in the fourth while the Liberty had no answers.
Thursday was the Valkyries’ second back-to-back this season after they played in Indiana and New York at the end of May. This time, Golden State was a bit more rested with the quicker trip between Uncasville, Conn. and Brooklyn, and since it was such a blowout win on Wednesday, none of its starters played in the fourth quarter.
Golden State has now won 18 of its last 22 games dating back to June 24. They began this road trip with an uncharacteristically sloppy loss in Chicago before knocking off the WNBA’s first-place team Minnesota on Monday.
The Valkyries will head to Portland (15-23) on Sunday for their last game before the FIBA break and to close their five-game road trip.
Sowah heads overseas
Valkyries developmental player Miela Sowah will join Team Australia in the World Cup next week, becoming the fourth Valkyries player to depart for the tournament. Salaun and Williams (France) and Zandalasini (Italy) played their final game before heading over and will miss Sunday in Portland.