In a crucial fourth matchup of the season, the Valkyries beat the LA Sparks 72-59 Saturday as fans chanted, “Beat LA!” throughout the night. The teams' infamous rivalry escalated when Sparks guard Kelsey Plum kicked V's guard Veronica Burton in the leg, receiving a foul.
Plum’s flagrant foul — along with the recent flying dildo incidents — are just a couple of factors that inspired sports blog OutKick to compare this season’s WNBA games to WWE matches. As the Chronicle reports, the foul was especially notable given Plum’s earlier claim in June that the Valkyries were “overly physical.”
OutKick also pointed out that Plum faced backlash last month for criticizing Indianapolis Fever’s Caitlin Clark, as reported by Sportsnaut. OutKick added that Plum will likely face disciplinary action over Saturday’s foul.
After the initial chaos on Saturday, the Valkyries took control and never looked back. As the SF Standard reports, the V’s strong defense, led by Veronica Burton, limited Plum to just four points, while forward Cecilia Zandalasini helped build a comfortable lead. The win not only gave the Valkyries an edge over the Sparks but also solidified their spot in the playoffs.
@ceciznd highlights for your viewing pleasure ✨🪽 pic.twitter.com/ckAdP6AGrl
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) August 10, 2025
“That was a series-determining game, and that was huge for us,” Burton told the Standard.
All gas, no breaks. Burton +1. @Waymo | Drive of the Game pic.twitter.com/oCix0meBq2
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) August 10, 2025
Despite injuries and roster changes, coach Natalie Nakase praised the team’s growing chemistry and resilience. With every game now crucial, the Valkyries aim to carry their momentum into Monday’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun at Chase Center.
“I want to give just credit to our players for understanding the meaning of this game and what we had to control: our communication, our game plan, being connected on offense, moving the ball,” Nakase told the Chronicle. “If people want to create this as a rivalry, then sure. That’s part of sports, and that’s what makes sports fun — creating rivalries.”
Image: Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles against the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter at Chase Center on August 06, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Previously: Valkyries Put Giant Purple Egg Outside Chase Center, In Apparent Marketing Ploy
