WNBA Recaps: Mystics Tie Franchise Record, Valkyries Roll, and Sun Hold Off Mercury

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Friday night in the WNBA saw another set of games that would tie a winning streak record, a tightly contested contest between two of the best teams in the league, and an absolute domination by one of the powers that be.

The Washington Mystics extended their red-hot streak to six consecutive wins by outlasting the Atlanta Dream, the Golden State Valkyries showcased offensive firepower in Dallas before a massive crowd, and the Connecticut Sun pulled off a gritty defensive stand to edge the Phoenix Mercury.

1. Golden State Valkyries 94, Dallas Wings 76

                    GAME STATS: VALKYRIES AT WINGS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Golden State Valkyries (94): 26 | 18 | 30 | 20              │
   │ Dallas Wings (76)          : 21 | 15 | 20 | 18              │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Summary

Playing at the American Airlines Center—the venue set to become the permanent home of the Wings starting in 2027—the Valkyries (22–9) controlled the game from mid-second quarter onward. Leading 44–36 at halftime, Golden State blew the contest open with a 10–2 run to start the third period.

Veronica Burton anchored the offense with 22 points, while Gabby Williams added 19. Kayla Thornton turned in a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds as Golden State registered 27 assists on 33 made field goals.

Dallas (19–13) was without starter Azzi Fudd (late scratch due to right knee soreness) and struggled to find perimeter rhythm, recording just eight total team assists—their lowest single-game mark since 2019.

                    KEY INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES                                      │
   │ • Veronica Burton: 22 PTS                                   │
   │ • Gabby Williams : 19 PTS                                   │
   │ • Kayla Thornton : 11 PTS, 10 REB                           │
   ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
   │ DALLAS WINGS                                                │
   │ • Paige Bueckers: 17 PTS (10 in 1st Quarter)                │
   │ • Aziaha James  : 13 PTS                                   │
   │ • Jessica Shepard: 11 REB                                   │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

2. Washington Mystics 79, Atlanta Dream 74

                    GAME STATS: DREAM AT MYSTICS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Atlanta Dream (74)     : 13 | 17 | 16 | 28                  │
   │ Washington Mystics (79): 19 | 23 | 20 | 17                  │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Summary

The Mystics (18–12) set an explosive defensive tone early, recording a franchise-record nine blocks in the first half alone and finishing with 12 total blocks. Shakira Austin was at the heart of the action, posting 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks.

Washington built a 64–48 cushion early in the fourth quarter before Atlanta mounted a furious rally. Led by Allisha Gray’s 26 points, the Dream trimmed the deficit to 77–74 with 32.3 seconds left. However, Austin sank a tough, contested shot in the lane on the following possession to put the game out of reach.

The loss was the second straight for Atlanta (19–12), which struggled to find its stroke, shooting a season-worst 32.5% (25-for-77) from the floor.

                    KEY INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ WASHINGTON MYSTICS                                          │
   │ • Shakira Austin: 21 PTS, 11 REB, 5 BLK                     │
   │ • Kiki Iriafen  : 15 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST                      │
   │ • Sonia Citron  : 14 PTS                                    │
   │ • Lauren Betts  : 11 REB (Career High), 3 BLKS              │
   ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
   │ ATLANTA DREAM                                               │
   │ • Allisha Gray  : 26 PTS (15th 20+ PT game of season)       │
   │ • Rhyne Howard  : 19 PTS                                    │
   │ • Angel Reese   : 7 PTS, 16 REB                             │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

3. Connecticut Sun 75, Phoenix Mercury 72

                    GAME STATS: MERCURY AT SUN
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ Phoenix Mercury (72) : 23 | 16 | 16 | 17                    │
   │ Connecticut Sun (75) : 16 | 21 | 18 | 20                    │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Game Summary

In a grinding Eastern vs. Western Conference clash, the Sun (8–23) relied heavily on second-unit production to overcome an early nine-point deficit. Kennedy Burke (15 points) and Aaliyah Edwards (14 points, eight rebounds) led Connecticut off the bench as the Sun clawed back to take a lead in the second half.

Phoenix (12–21) pushed until the final buzzer, with Kelsey Plum, Kahleah Copper, and Alyssa Thomas generating offense down the stretch. However, missed free throws and late turnovers hurt the Mercury in key moments. With Connecticut leading by three in the closing seconds, a final 3-point attempt at the buzzer was contested and rejected to lock in the 75–72 victory for the Sun.

                    KEY INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
   │ CONNECTICUT SUN                                             │
   │ • Kennedy Burke   : 15 PTS off the bench                    │
   │ • Aaliyah Edwards : 14 PTS, 8 REB                           │
   │ • Diamond Miller  : 9 PTS, 4 REB                            │
   ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
   │ PHOENIX MERCURY                                             │
   │ • Alyssa Thomas   : 10 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 4STLS             │
   │ • Kelsey Plum     : 25 PTS                                  │
   │ • Kahleah Copper  : 16 PTS                                  │
   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘