The first expansion team to qualify for the postseason – the glorious dream for the Golden State Valkyries took a serious hit with their recent loss against the Phoenix Mercury. The side lost its second straight game, and now it has just one and a half games’ advantage over the ninth-placed team.
Yet there is much to cheer about for Natalie Nakase’s side, who saw its dynamic guard weaving magic on the court again. After a record-setting night against the Washington Mystics, the guard set another record in the league.
Veronica Burton Sets WNBA Record During Game Against The Mercury
The Golden State Valkyries had a solid start to the season, but an injury to Kayla Thornton and a few unexpected losses put them in seventh position. In the absence of the experienced forward, another explosive guard stepped up for the side and continued her incredible form to put her side in control of their destiny.
In the game against the Phoenix Mercury, she was at her best once again, putting up an offensive show for the fans and carrying the team closer to the former champions. She scored 24 points and made 14 assists, delivering this magnum performance without a single turnover.
With this, the Valkyries guard became the only player in the league with 24 points and 14 assists without a turnover. As per Polymarket Hoops, Veronica Burton also has the most games with 10+ assists without a turnover in a single season.
Veronica Burton now has the most games in a single season ever with 10+ AST & 0 TOV. pic.twitter.com/maMoIyp4Ab
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) August 20, 2025
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In the game, though, Kahleah Copper scored a game-high 25 points, and Alyssa Thomas had a near-tuple-double performance to win the game for the Mercury at Chase Center. The visitors now stand fourth in the league standings, closing on the qualification for the playoffs.
Veronica Burton Points Out Gaps Leading To Loss
The Valkyries will now play against Mercury next on August 22. The loss would have given them a lot to learn and work on their shortfalls. Despite the career night, the star was more concerned about the loss and pointed out a few points she felt cost them the game.
“Finishing possessions, rebounding. They hit some late-clock ones that sometimes are backbreakers. When you play really good defense for 22 seconds of the shot clock and then they get a nice shot to fall, it can just be tough from a mental standpoint. Execution in the second half, we were a little bit more limited on our offense, and we just weren’t hitting some of the shots that we were hitting in the first half, and that happens. So not letting that kind of dictate how we defend, and not letting the physicality disrupt us too much,” Burton said in the postgame interview.
The team will need at least five wins from the remaining nine to book a ticket to the postseason.