What's next for Most Improved Veronica Burton? From @matthew-walter96.bsky.social www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

The Valkyries lose their first game of the season, falling to Chicago 69-63. The offense, which had been so good in the first two games of the year, couldn't find any rhythm. They shot just 29% with Kayla Thornton going 0-11. They also only had three steals @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Rickea Jackson has been a handful for the Valkyries to handle in the second half. She had nine points in the third quarter and just hit a big three to put the Sky up 5. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

With 2:57 remaining, the Sky lead the Valkyries 58-56. The offense has been hit and miss tonight, but Golden State is in the bonus the rest of the way. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

A big three from Veronica in the corner cuts the Sky's lead to three and forces a Chicago timeout. Last game, it was Burton who told the team they needed one more run to put away Phoenix. They need one now to retake the lead. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Golden State tied the game at 44, but Chicago scored the last five points of the third to take a 49-44 lead into the fourth. The GS offense started to find some life, but they'll need to kick it into another gear to win this game. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Chicago takes their first lead of the game, 37-36, on a Kamila Cardoso and-1. The GS defense has been great, while the offense has struggled, shooting sub-30 %. Also, all six of the Valkyries' turnovers have been live-ball. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Some halftime reading for you, Valkyries fans. In Kaila Charles' first five years of her career, she was waived five separate times. However, her play with Golden State last year got her something she coveted more than anything else: a guarantee. #WNBA #Valkyries

At the half, Golden State leads Chicago 28-24. Defensively, the Valkyries have been elite, holding the Sky to 27% shooting and 0-11 from three. Offensively, it's been ugly. GS is shooting 28% and scored just 9 points in the 2nd. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

The offense hasn't been pretty for either team so far, with Golden State leading 23-16 midway through the second. Chicago has really done a good job of funneling drives to Kamila Cardoso and having her length at the rim as a deterrent. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

After one, Golden State leads Chicago 19-10. A much better start for the Valkyries in this one than either of their first two games. GS held the Sky to just 25% shooting in the first. Gabby Williams leads all scorers early with seven points. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Valkyries with an early challenge as Lateicia Amihere is called for a foul on Skylar Diggins. The video seems to show that Amihere didn't touch Diggins. After review, the challenge is deemed successful. It will be a jump ball at center court. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

A gorgeous dime from Veronica Burton to Gabby Williams on a back door cut gives GS an early 12-5 lead. Burton has been responsible for eight of the Valkyries' 12 points so far. She has 20 assists to just one turnover so far this season. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

We are underway here at the Chase Center as the Valkyries look to move to 3-0 on the young season as they face off against the Sky. @theixsports.bsky.social #Valkyries #WNBA

Valkyries win their home opener over Phoenix 95-79. After the Mercury cut the GS lead to four, they outscored them 29-17 in the 4th. Janelle Salaun leads all scorers with 21 points off the bench. Back-to-back game scoring in the 90s for Golden State. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Janelle Salaun is having herself a fourth quarter. She has scored 11 of the Valkyries' 17 points in the quarter and screamed after every one of them. She has helped Golden State take an 83-70 lead with five minutes remaining. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Valkyries are challenging a foul called on Kaila Charles against AT. The video seems to indicate that Charles didn't touch AT. After review, the Valkyries lose the challenge, and AT will shoot two. GS leads 73-69. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

After three, Golden State leads Phoenix 66-62. The Mercury dominated the third quarter, outscoring GS 31-18. AT dominated the 3rd, scoring 6 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and dishing out 3 assists. Valkyries are going to have to find a way to slow her down. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

The Valkyries' defense has struggled here in the third quarter. They've given up 27 points in nine minutes of action. They have been hurt by Alyssa Thomas in ball screens. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

At the half, Golden State leads Phoenix 48-31. A dominant 31-11 second quarter for the Valkyries, which saw them shoot 69% from the floor and knock down four threes. Kayla Thornton leads all scorers with 14. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

The Valkyries continue to dominate the second quarter, now outscoring Phoenix 21-6 in the quarter. The Golden State defense has been getting their hands on a ton of balls, grabbing five steals and forcing eight Mercury turnovers. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

A 13-4 run to start the second quarter gives the Valkyries a six-point lead. Golden State hit two of their first three triples of the second quarter after shooting 2/8 from deep in the 1st. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

A good close to the quarter from the Valkyries. A majority bench unit cut the Phoenix lead to three heading into the second. They had much better aggression to the rim and played connected on the defensive end. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Not a great start for Golden State. Valkyries trail Phoenix 13-6, and once again, they have struggled to get to the rim. They have also been inconsistent defensively. Basically, the same issues that plagued them to start against Seattle. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Natalie Nakase said at practice today that neither Tiffany Hayes or Cecilia Zandalasini practiced. They were both at practice in street clothes. Nakase said both are still being evaluated and their status for tomorrow nights game is undetermined. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Make that two injuries on opening night for the Valkyries as Tiffany Hayes exited with a pinky injury and Cecilia Zandalasini with a jaw injury during the first half. Neither will return tonight. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

The Valkyries announce they have waived third year guard Kate Martin. Martin was one of the teams intial picks in last years expansion draft. They have also filed for a replacement contract for Iliana Rupert who is pregnant. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Gabby Williams was the Valkyries marquee free agent addition. How will she fit in Natalie Nakase systems and why did she decide on Golden State. Read about all that here:

The Valkyries announce the waiving of six players including both second round draft picks Marta Suarez and Ashlon Jackson as well as preseason star Miela Sowah. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said the team played Spikeball to start practice today. She feels the game forces the players to communicate and move their feet. Said Veronica Burton and Mariela Fasoula were the best of the group. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries

Fresh off of their inaugural season, the Golden State Valkyries came into Monday's WNBA Draft ready to leverage their picks and grab fresh talent. @matthew-walter96.bsky.social on their rookies, and the trade that brought one of them back to the Bay Area:

Confirmed with the WNBA that the deadline to trade draft picks was Sunday at 5pm eastern. That means for the Valkyries and Storm to make their trade, they would have needed an agreement to trade whoever was selected. Seattle then told GSV to take Johnson, who they were surprised was available.

Valkyrie's three picks from tonight: No. 16: Marta Suarez (trade from SEA), TCU No. 23: Ashlonn Jackson, Duke No. 38: Kokoro Tanaka, Japan @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBADraft #Valkyries

Ok, scratch this. Valkyries trade the draft rights to Flau'jae Johnson to Seattle for the draft rights to Marta Suarez and a 2028 second-round pick. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBADraft #Valkyries

With the No. 8 pick, the Valkyries select Flau'jae Johnson from LSU. Johnson averaged 14.2 points and 4.2 rebounds last year. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBADraft #Valkyries

If you are a Valkyries fan, I highly recommend subscribing to Marisa!! She does incredible work!

A full max contract for Gabby Williams to sign with the Valkyries. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

Valkyries announce the re-signing of Kaila Charles to a multi-year deal. Charles came in mid-season last year and made a major impact for Golden State. @kareemcopeland.bsky.social and @seanahurd.bsky.social had this first. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries primarily focused on re-signing key players from last season, but also added Gabby Williams in Sunday's free agency flurry. @matthew-walter96.bsky.social recaps the moves. youtube.com/shorts/Dij1E...

The Valkyries announce the signing of Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Mariella Fasoula, and Miela Sowah to training camp contracts. Amihere and Chen played for the Valkyries last season. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

The Valkyries have also activate Juste Joycte's rookie scale contract. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

The Valkyries announce they have re-signed Janelle Salaun and Iliana Rupert to multi-year deals. They have also resigned Cecilia Zandalasini to a one-year deal. @TheIXSports #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

Per Andraya Carter and Noé Delaunay, former Seattle Storm wing Gabby Williams is signing a multi-year deal with the Golden State Valkyries. The former All-Star bring elite defensive to the wing position for GSV. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

Contract details for Burton's new deal. Three-year contract for the MIP with a massive increase in pay. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

The Valkyries announce they have re-signed Veronica Burton to a multi-year deal. Burton won the most improved player award in her first year with the Valkyries. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

Per Andraya Carter of ESPN, Gabby Williams will sign with one of the Valkyries, Lynx, or Aces. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

Per Tony East, former Valkyrie Monique Billings will be signing with the Indiana Fever. Billings averaged 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds for Golden State last year. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBAFreeAgency #Valkyries

My understanding is the Valkyries are in talks with Gabby Williams and I don’t expect Mo Billings to return to the team

What this means is that Burton is a restricted free agent and the Valkyries can match any deal another team offers her. The others can all only negotiate contracts with the Valkyries.

The Valkyries have extended reserve qualifying offer to the following players: Ceci Zandalasini Iliana Rupert Janelle Salaun Kaitlyn Chen Laeticia Amihere The also extended a restricted qualifying offer to Veronica Burton. @theixsports.bsky.social #WNBA #Valkyries