Talk about performing under pressure, the Golden State Valkyries excel in it. With just one game difference between eighth and ninth spot, every game was ‘game 7’ for the Valkyries. And in the clutch moment, veteran Guard Veronica Burton delivered a career-high performance at CareFirst Arena.
Her clutch play handed the visitors an 88-83 win over the Washington Mystics, putting the expansion team in the seventh position in the league’s standings.
Veronica Burton Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive With Career Game
Natalie Nakase did excellent work with the Golden State side, keeping them at a touching distance of its first playoff appearance. A few losses in the middle phase of the season rose some concerns, but players responded well to the ‘demand’ and got back on the winning ways.
A game against the Mystics was a high-pressure scenario, with the franchise from the capital also lurking around the playoff qualification spot. A win against the Mystics will widen the gap between the two sides, giving some breathing space for the Valkyries. Experienced guard Veronica Burton stepped up and helped her side to its third straight victory in five days.
The guard, after a fiery moment with Sparks’ Kelsey Plum had a quite game against the Sun, but put in extra efforts against the Mystics. Burton scored career-high 30 points and had seven rebounds and seven assists in the game.
Veronica Burton scores a career-high 30 PTS 👏
— espnW (@espnW) August 14, 2025
Burton becomes the 3rd player to record 30-5-5 on an expansion team 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LMZo0oPFf4
For the Washington Mystics, rookie of the year contenders, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen played well. The Notre Dame guard had a team-high 5 points, while Iriafen had another double-double performance (10 rebounds and 14 points).
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The Valkyries now have seven games against the teams ranked above them, and five games against the teams ranked below them till the final day of the regular season. The side is well in position for historic – playoff entry. As for the Mystics, the season might be over depending on the results of next four games.
Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini Create Franchise History
While three-pointers are not new for the Golden State fanbase, the expansion team is now getting into a similar groove. During their win over the Washington Mystics, the team hit 15 three-pointers – most in the franchise’s history. Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini banked six ranged shots each to keep the team ahead in the game.
Moreover, they also set a franchise record for three-pointer efficiency, shooting 46.7% beyond the arc. This is an encouraging sign for HC Nakase, who hinted at emulating the Warriors’ gameplay for the Valkyries.