seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats

The seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats tell the complete story of a game that showcased efficient shooting, balanced scoring, and strong bench production from the Golden State Valkyries. Played on May 9, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, this WNBA matchup ended with the Valkyries earning a convincing 91 to 80 victory over the Storm. While the final score reflects an 11 point margin, the game featured several momentum swings before Golden State established control in the second half.

For fans, analysts, and fantasy basketball enthusiasts, reviewing the seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats provides valuable insight into individual performances, team efficiency, and the tactical decisions that shaped the outcome. Golden State relied on balanced scoring from both its starters and bench, while Seattle received an impressive performance from rookie Dominique Malonga but struggled with turnovers and offensive consistency during the middle quarters.

This detailed breakdown examines every important aspect of the contest using the official game statistics. From team numbers to standout individual performances, each section explains not only what happened but also why those numbers mattered.

Match Overview

Match Details	Information
Competition	WNBA
Date	May 9, 2026
Venue	Climate Pledge Arena
City	Seattle, Washington
Attendance	14,200
Broadcast	ION
Final Score	Golden State Valkyries 91, Seattle Storm 80
Winning Team	Golden State Valkyries
Golden State Record	1 and 0 Away
Seattle Record	0 and 1 Home

Golden State entered Seattle with confidence and delivered an efficient offensive performance throughout the evening. Although Seattle opened the game competitively, the Valkyries gradually gained control thanks to their perimeter shooting and superior ball movement.

The Storm remained within striking distance during portions of the fourth quarter, but the offensive rhythm established by Golden State earlier in the game proved too much to overcome.

Seattle Storm vs Golden State Valkyries Match Player Stats

Looking at the seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats, several themes immediately stand out.

Golden State excelled in three critical areas.

• Three point shooting
• Ball movement
• Bench scoring

Seattle, meanwhile, showed strengths in rebounding and free throw opportunities but lost valuable possessions through turnovers and inconsistent shot making during the second and third quarters.

The statistics demonstrate why Golden State deserved the victory despite Seattle collecting more rebounds.

Final Team Statistics Comparison

Team Statistics	Golden State Valkyries	Seattle Storm
Points	91	80
Field Goals	31 of 74
Field Goal Percentage	42 percent	41 percent
Three Pointers	15 of 37	9 of 26
Three Point Percentage	41 percent	35 percent
Free Throws	14 of 22	19 of 27
Free Throw Percentage	64 percent	70 percent
Total Rebounds	35	41
Offensive Rebounds	13	13
Defensive Rebounds	22	28
Assists	22	16
Turnovers	9	14
Steals	5	4
Blocks	5	5
Personal Fouls	23	22

Several numbers stand out immediately.

Golden State made six more three pointers than Seattle while also recording six additional assists. Those two categories alone created a significant offensive advantage.

Seattle controlled the rebounding battle but failed to capitalize consistently on second chance opportunities.

Quarter by Quarter Analysis

First Quarter

Team	Points
Seattle	24
Golden State	23

Seattle started aggressively and established an early rhythm offensively. Dominique Malonga attacked inside while Jordan Horston provided energy on both ends of the floor.

Golden State stayed close thanks to efficient perimeter shooting that prevented the Storm from building a larger lead.

Second Quarter

Team	Points
Golden State	26
Seattle	17

The second quarter completely changed the direction of the game.

Golden State’s offense became much more fluid, creating open looks through quick passing and effective spacing. Seattle struggled offensively, producing only 17 points while committing costly turnovers that fueled transition opportunities.

Third Quarter

Team	Points
Golden State	20
Seattle	12

This proved to be the decisive stretch.

Seattle’s offense stalled almost entirely, scoring just 12 points during the period. Golden State continued attacking from beyond the arc while maintaining defensive pressure that forced difficult shots.

By the end of the quarter, the Valkyries had established a comfortable lead.

Fourth Quarter

Team	Points
Golden State	22
Seattle	27

Seattle showed resilience during the final period, outscoring Golden State by five points.

Dominique Malonga continued producing offensively, and the Storm played with greater urgency. However, the deficit created during the middle quarters was simply too large to erase.

Golden State remained composed, managed the clock effectively, and secured its first victory of the season.

Golden State Valkyries Player Performance

Balanced scoring defined Golden State’s success.

Janelle Salaun

The reserve forward delivered the game’s biggest offensive impact.

Performance Highlights

• 20 points
• Team leading scorer
• Excellent efficiency off the bench
• Consistently attacked the defense

Her production transformed the second unit into a major advantage for Golden State.

Kayla Thornton

Thornton contributed in multiple areas beyond scoring.

Key Contributions

• 8 rebounds
• Strong defensive presence
• Physical play inside
• Leadership throughout the contest

Her rebounding helped offset Seattle’s overall advantage on the glass.

Veronica Burton

Burton controlled the pace of the offense exceptionally well.

She finished with 6 assists, the highest total for either team, while making smart decisions and limiting turnovers.

Her ability to distribute the basketball allowed Golden State’s shooters to find quality scoring opportunities consistently.

Tiffany Hayes

Hayes added veteran stability throughout the game.

Although not the leading scorer, her experience and shot selection helped maintain offensive rhythm during key stretches.

Gabby Williams

Williams contributed with versatile defense, transition play, and secondary scoring. Her impact extended beyond the box score by disrupting Seattle’s offensive flow.

Kiah Stokes

Stokes anchored the interior defense and protected the rim effectively while battling for rebounds against Seattle’s frontcourt.

Seattle Storm Player Performance

Seattle had several encouraging individual performances despite the loss.

Dominique Malonga

Malonga delivered the strongest performance for Seattle.

Game Statistics

• 21 points
• 8 rebounds
• Team leading scorer
• Team leading rebounder

She consistently attacked the basket, finished through contact, and provided energy throughout all four quarters.

Her performance was one of the brightest positives for Seattle despite the defeat.

Jordan Horston

Horston brought defensive intensity and athleticism while contributing important minutes on both ends of the court.

Her aggressive style helped Seattle remain competitive during the opening quarter.

Stefanie Dolson

Dolson played an important facilitating role.

She shared the team lead with 3 assists, helping initiate offense from the high post while also providing veteran leadership.

Natisha Hiedeman

Hiedeman also recorded 3 assists, tying Dolson for the team lead.

She handled primary ball handling responsibilities but faced heavy defensive pressure throughout the contest.

Flau’jae Johnson

Johnson showed flashes of scoring ability but struggled to establish consistent offensive rhythm against Golden State’s disciplined perimeter defense.

Bench Contributions

Seattle received minutes from several reserves including:

• Mackenzie Holmes
• Grace VanSlooten
• Lexie Brown
• Zia Cooke
• Jade Melbourne

The bench competed hard but could not match the offensive production generated by Golden State’s second unit.

Why Golden State Won the Game

A closer examination of the seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats reveals that the final margin was not the result of one dominant quarter alone. Instead, Golden State consistently made better decisions with the basketball, created higher-quality scoring opportunities, and received valuable production from multiple players.

Although Seattle finished with more total rebounds, basketball games are often decided by efficiency rather than volume. Golden State converted its possessions into points more effectively, particularly from beyond the three point line.

Several statistical advantages helped the Valkyries secure the victory.

• Six more made three pointers.
• Six more team assists.
• Five fewer turnovers.
• Better offensive balance.
• Strong bench scoring throughout the game.

Those advantages allowed Golden State to control the pace after halftime and prevent Seattle from mounting a complete comeback.

Complete Starting Lineup Analysis

Golden State Valkyries Starters

Player	Role	Game Impact
Kayla Thornton	Forward	Led the team with 8 rebounds and played physical defense.
Gabby Williams	Forward	Contributed versatile defense and transition offense.
Kiah Stokes	Center	Protected the rim and controlled the paint defensively.
Tiffany Hayes	Guard	Added veteran scoring and leadership.
Veronica Burton	Guard	Finished with a team best 6 assists while directing the offense.

Golden State’s starting unit established a balanced foundation. Instead of relying on one player, each starter contributed in a different area.

Thornton controlled the glass, Burton created scoring chances, Hayes provided experience, Williams defended multiple positions, and Stokes anchored the interior.

That balance made Golden State difficult to defend throughout the game.

Seattle Storm Starting Lineup Analysis

Player	Role	Game Impact
Jordan Horston	Forward	High energy defender with strong effort throughout the game.
Stefanie Dolson	Center	Shared the team lead with 3 assists and provided veteran leadership.
Dominique Malonga	Forward	Finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
Natisha Hiedeman	Guard	Shared the assist lead while handling ball distribution.
Flau’jae Johnson	Guard	Showed aggressive scoring but faced tough perimeter defense.

Seattle’s starters competed well during the opening quarter but struggled once Golden State increased its defensive intensity.

The biggest positive remained Dominique Malonga, whose performance suggested she can become one of the franchise’s cornerstone players.

Bench Comparison

Bench production became one of the defining stories of the evening.

Golden State Bench

Golden State’s reserves included:

• Cecilia Zandalasini
• Laeticia Amihere
• Janelle Salaun
• Kaila Charles
• Miela Sowah
• Kaitlyn Chen
• Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda

Among these players, Janelle Salaun completely changed the game.

Scoring 20 points off the bench gave Golden State an offensive weapon that Seattle struggled to contain.

Her ability to score in transition, attack the basket, and stretch the floor forced the Storm defense into difficult rotations.

Seattle Bench

Seattle’s reserves included:

• Mackenzie Holmes
• Grace VanSlooten
• Lexie Brown
• Zia Cooke
• Jade Melbourne
• Katie Lou Samuelson
• Ezi Magbegor
• Taina Mair

Several players were unavailable.

Seattle listed the following players as unavailable.

• Ezi Magbegor because of a right knee injury.
• Taina Mair because of a right foot injury.
• Katie Lou Samuelson by coach’s decision.

Missing experienced contributors reduced Seattle’s overall depth, particularly in the frontcourt rotation.

Statistical Leaders

Golden State Valkyries

Category	Player	Total
Points	Janelle Salaun	20
Rebounds	Kayla Thornton	8
Assists	Veronica Burton	6

These numbers highlight how Golden State distributed responsibilities across multiple players rather than depending on one star.

Seattle Storm

Category	Player	Total
Points	Dominique Malonga	21
Rebounds	Dominique Malonga	8
Assists	Stefanie Dolson	3
Assists	Natisha Hiedeman	3

Malonga carried a significant portion of Seattle’s offensive workload, but the lack of additional playmaking limited the team’s offensive flow.

Three Point Shooting Made the Difference

One of the clearest lessons from the game comes from long range shooting.

Golden State

• 15 made three pointers
• 37 attempts
• 41 percent shooting

Seattle

• 9 made three pointers
• 26 attempts
• 35 percent shooting

That difference represents an 18 point advantage from beyond the arc.

In modern professional basketball, that type of shooting gap is often difficult to overcome.

Golden State consistently created open perimeter opportunities through quick passing and player movement.

Seattle generated fewer clean looks and could not match that level of efficiency.

Ball Movement and Decision Making

Another major takeaway from the seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats is the importance of passing.

Golden State recorded:

• 22 assists
• 9 turnovers

Seattle finished with:

• 16 assists
• 14 turnovers

This difference reflects overall offensive execution.

Golden State shared the basketball effectively, creating easier scoring opportunities while protecting possessions.

Seattle frequently relied on individual plays instead of sustained ball movement, especially during the second and third quarters.

Rebounding Battle

Interestingly, Seattle actually won the rebounding contest.

Category	Golden State	Seattle
Total Rebounds	35	41
Offensive Rebounds	13	13
Defensive Rebounds	22	28

Normally, winning the rebounding battle provides a strong chance to win the game.

However, rebounding alone cannot overcome shooting efficiency and turnovers.

Seattle earned additional possessions but did not convert enough of them into points.

Golden State simply made better use of its opportunities.

Defensive Comparison

Both teams protected the rim reasonably well.

Golden State

• 5 blocks
• 5 steals

Seattle

• 5 blocks
• 4 steals

The statistics suggest relatively similar defensive production.

The difference came from execution during half court possessions.

Golden State forced more difficult shots while limiting unnecessary mistakes.

Seattle defended hard but occasionally lost shooters around the perimeter, allowing Golden State to capitalize from long distance.

Key Turning Points

Several moments shaped the outcome.

Strong Second Quarter

Golden State outscored Seattle 26 to 17.

This period shifted momentum permanently toward the visitors.

Third Quarter Defense

Seattle managed only 12 points during the third quarter.

Golden State’s disciplined defense disrupted passing lanes and forced difficult shot attempts.

Bench Explosion

Janelle Salaun’s scoring transformed the game.

Her offensive production gave Golden State consistent scoring even when the starters rested.

Ball Security

Golden State committed only nine turnovers.

Protecting possessions prevented Seattle from generating easy transition points.

What Seattle Can Learn

Despite the loss, Seattle showed several encouraging signs.

Dominique Malonga continued demonstrating why she is viewed as one of the team’s most promising young talents.

Improving in the following areas could produce better results later in the season.

• Reduce turnovers.
• Improve three point efficiency.
• Increase assist numbers through better ball movement.
• Develop more consistent bench scoring.
• Maintain offensive aggression throughout all four quarters.

These improvements would help Seattle compete more effectively against the league’s top teams.

Advanced Match Analysis

The seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats become even more meaningful when viewed beyond the basic box score. While the numbers clearly show who won each statistical category, they also explain how Golden State controlled the flow of the game despite Seattle’s effort on the boards.

Golden State played with patience, spacing, and confidence. Every possession appeared purposeful, with players moving without the basketball and creating open shooting opportunities. Seattle relied more heavily on individual scoring, particularly from Dominique Malonga, but lacked the same offensive rhythm across all four quarters.

One of the biggest differences was consistency. Golden State maintained a steady offensive pace throughout the contest, while Seattle experienced long scoring droughts during the second and third quarters.

Team Efficiency Breakdown

Efficiency often separates winning teams from losing teams, and this matchup was an excellent example.

Golden State Offensive Efficiency

Golden State built its offense around smart shot selection rather than simply taking more shots.

Key strengths included:

• Accurate three point shooting.
• Balanced scoring from starters and reserves.
• Strong passing that created open looks.
• Limited turnovers.
• Consistent offensive execution.

Even when Seattle attempted to increase defensive pressure, Golden State rarely forced low percentage shots.

Seattle Offensive Efficiency

Seattle produced 80 points, which is respectable, but several factors reduced overall efficiency.

These included:

• Extended scoring droughts.
• Fewer successful three point attempts.
• More turnovers.
• Lower assist total.
• Limited bench production compared to Golden State.

The Storm generated opportunities but were unable to sustain offensive momentum after the opening quarter.

Player Performance Grades

Golden State Valkyries

Player	Performance Grade	Summary
Janelle Salaun	A	Outstanding scoring performance with 20 points off the bench.
Veronica Burton	A	Excellent floor leadership with 6 assists and strong decision making.
Kayla Thornton	A Minus	Dominated the glass and contributed defensively.
Tiffany Hayes	B Plus	Reliable veteran play on both ends of the floor.
Gabby Williams	B Plus	Strong defensive effort and transition play.
Kiah Stokes	B	Protected the paint and played an important interior role.

Golden State’s greatest strength was the absence of any weak performance from its primary rotation.

Seattle Storm

Player	Performance Grade	Summary
Dominique Malonga	A	Outstanding individual effort with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
Jordan Horston	B Plus	High energy performance with strong defensive effort.
Stefanie Dolson	B	Provided leadership and shared the team lead in assists.
Natisha Hiedeman	B	Solid playmaking despite defensive pressure.
Flau’jae Johnson	B Minus	Showed flashes offensively but lacked consistency.

Although Seattle lost the game, Malonga’s performance stood out as one of the evening’s biggest positives.

Most Valuable Performers

1. Dominique Malonga

Statistics alone do not fully capture Malonga’s impact.

She consistently attacked the basket, competed on every rebound, and remained productive from the opening tip until the final minutes.

Her 21 points and 8 rebounds demonstrated why she is expected to play an increasingly important role for Seattle throughout the season.

2. Janelle Salaun

Coming off the bench and scoring 20 points completely changed the complexion of the game.

Bench players who provide this level of offensive production often become the difference between winning and losing close contests.

Salaun supplied exactly that.

3. Veronica Burton

Basketball is often controlled by point guards who make the correct decisions.

Burton finished with 6 assists while directing the offense efficiently.

Her ability to involve teammates helped Golden State maintain offensive balance throughout the contest.

Biggest Statistical Difference

Several statistics favored Golden State, but one stood above the rest.

Three Point Shooting

Golden State

• 15 made three pointers

Seattle

• 9 made three pointers

That six shot difference translated into an 18 point advantage from long distance.

Considering the final margin was only 11 points, perimeter shooting became the defining statistical category.

What the Numbers Say About Both Teams

Golden State Valkyries

The victory demonstrated several encouraging qualities.

• Strong offensive depth.
• Efficient perimeter shooting.
• Excellent ball movement.
• Disciplined decision making.
• Confidence under pressure.

These characteristics often define successful teams over the course of a long season.

Seattle Storm

Although the result was disappointing, the statistics also revealed positive signs.

• Strong rebounding effort.
• Excellent performance from Dominique Malonga.
• Competitive first and fourth quarters.
• Interior scoring remained effective.

The primary challenge was maintaining offensive consistency across all four quarters.

Season Series Update

Following this victory, Golden State continued its strong performances against Seattle during the season.

Season series results:

Date	Result
May 9, 2026	Golden State won 91 to 80
June 13, 2026	Golden State won 76 to 72

After these two meetings, Golden State held a 2 to 0 advantage in the season series.

The next scheduled meeting between the teams was set for September 20, 2026, at Golden State.

Western Conference Context

At the time reflected in the provided season data:

Team	Record
Minnesota	22 and 6
Golden State	19 and 8
Las Vegas	18 and 8
Dallas	18 and 9
Seattle	6 and 23

These standings help explain the contrasting trajectories of both franchises.

Golden State was competing near the top of the conference, while Seattle faced a rebuilding season and continued searching for consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Seattle Storm vs Golden State Valkyries game on May 9, 2026?

Golden State defeated Seattle by a final score of 91 to 80 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

Who scored the most points in the game?

Dominique Malonga led all players with 21 points for Seattle, while Janelle Salaun scored 20 points to lead Golden State.

Which player recorded the most rebounds?

Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 8 rebounds, while Dominique Malonga also collected 8 rebounds for Seattle.

Who had the most assists?

Veronica Burton finished with 6 assists, the highest total in the game.

Why did Golden State win?

Golden State won because of superior three point shooting, better ball movement, fewer turnovers, and outstanding bench production led by Janelle Salaun.

Conclusion

The seattle storm vs golden state valkyries match player stats illustrate much more than the final 91 to 80 scoreline. Golden State earned the victory through disciplined execution, efficient perimeter shooting, and valuable contributions from every part of its rotation. The team’s ability to move the basketball, limit mistakes, and receive a major scoring boost from the bench proved decisive.

Seattle showed encouraging individual performances, particularly from Dominique Malonga, who finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds while competing at a high level throughout the game. The Storm also won the rebounding battle, demonstrating effort and physicality inside. However, offensive inconsistency during the second and third quarters, combined with a disadvantage from three point range and additional turnovers, prevented them from completing a comeback.

Overall, the statistics reveal a balanced and deserved Golden State victory while also highlighting several promising building blocks for Seattle as the season progressed.