Full Breakdown
Chicago Sky Defeat Golden State Valkyries 69-63 in San Francisco
5/15/2026, 5:11:11 AM
Early-Season Context
The Golden State Valkyries entered the 2026 season 2-0, posting double-digit victories over Seattle and Phoenix and selling out their first two home games at the 18,063-seat Chase Center. The Chicago Sky also opened 2-0, marking their first unbeaten start in three years after wins in Portland and at Golden State. Both teams arrived in San Francisco with high expectations and a recent history of strong defensive play.
Sky Upset Valkyries 69-63 in San Francisco
On May 13, 2026, the Sky recorded their first franchise win over the Valkyries, 69-63, at Chase Center. The loss ended Golden State’s unbeaten run and was the Valkyries’ first defeat of the season. The game featured a low-scoring, defensive battle, with both sides shooting below 40 % from the field.
Key Performances & Statistics
- Rickea Jackson (Sky) led all scorers with 18 points, including a decisive three-pointer with 1:41 left.
- Skylar Diggins added 15 points and a game-high seven assists.
- Gabby Williams (Valkyries) matched Jackson with 18 points and contributed five rebounds.
- Veronica Burton (Valkyries) recorded 16 points and a perfect 4-4 free-throw line.
- Kiah Stokes (Valkyries) posted a season-high 11 rebounds, five blocks (most by any WNBA player this season), and seven points.
- Kaila Charles (Valkyries) tallied nine points and nine rebounds.
- Kayla Thornton (Valkyries) went 0-11 from the field, including 0-3 from three-point range.
- Jacy Sheldon (Sky) contributed 12 points, four steals, three blocks and a crucial late-game layup.
The Valkyries shot 22-of-75 (29.3 %) overall and 7-of-26 (26.9 %) from three-point range. The Sky shot 24-of-66 (36.2 %) overall and 6-of-20 (30 %) from three. Chicago’s defense limited Golden State to 10 points in the first quarter and nine in the second, for a 24-point first-half total—the fewest allowed in any half this season.
Official Statements & Responses
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase praised Stokes’ defensive impact, noting her “force” and “top-notch” presence in the paint, while acknowledging the need to address offensive lapses and schedule a “blackout day” for focused practice. Sky head coach Tyler Marsh highlighted his team’s defensive identity, emphasizing that sustained effort on that end can compensate for offensive struggles and that the victory reflects the “type of team we’ve wanted.”
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts pointed to the Valkyries’ cold shooting night as a primary factor in the loss, citing Thornton’s 0-11 performance and the team’s overall 29 % field-goal conversion. The Sky’s defense was repeatedly cited as the decisive element, with commentators noting the effectiveness of perimeter pressure and interior rebounding in stifling Golden State’s offense.
On-the-Ground Reports
The game attracted a sellout crowd of 18,063 fans, creating a loud atmosphere at Chase Center. The matchup also featured a reunion of former Las Vegas Aces assistants—Nakase and Marsh—now leading opposing WNBA franchises.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact first-quarter point total for the Valkyries, with some reporting 10 points and others 9 points. First-half shooting percentages are cited as 27 % in one account and 29.3 % overall in another. No source provided comprehensive turnover or foul statistics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That's who she is. That's who he has been since the times I was with her in Vegas. She is a force. Her defense is top notch. But then offensively, we knew if we attacked (Kamilla) Cardoza in a drop situation, that she was going to be open, and she definitely took it to her. So it was just really good to see that type of movement that we're able to get, and then Kiah finishing on the other end. So I thought she did a fantastic job on both ends, and I thought she actually brought another layer of defense that we can mix in a couple of different coverages.” — Natalie Nakase, Head Coach, Golden State Valkyries
- “We shouldn’t take it for granted that when we play defense like this, when we have the effort that we came out with in the second half, we can overcome those offensive struggles.” — Tyler Marsh, Head Coach, Chicago Sky
- “When things weren’t working for us offensively, we stayed in it defensively, which is good,” — Jacy Sheldon, Guard, Chicago Sky
- “She does all the little things and the big things. 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.” — Gabby Williams, Guard, Golden State Valkyries
- “ ON HOW THE TEAM WILL PREPARE THIS UPCOMING WEEK: “Just seeing some of the things that we struggled with tonight, making sure we practice those.” — Natalie Nakase, Head Coach, Golden State Valkyries
What’s Next
The Valkyries travel to New York for a road game on May 21, while the Sky head to Phoenix for their next matchup on Friday.
