Defense in basketball is an inherently physical effort. Players are required to target the ball and not other players, something that ends up being governed by

When multiple players left for the EuroBasket tournament in June, Golden State stayed afloat. When injured All-Star Kayla Thornton was ruled out for the rest of the season last month, the Valkyries stepped up and won games without their unquestioned leader.

There's no denying the Golden State Valkyries fought hard in their 98-91 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. With only eight players available due to Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini's late injury scratches, the remaining Valkyries stepped up and tested the Mercury through the majority of the game.

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase criticized Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani for what she described as an intentional kick on Veronica Burton late in Tuesday’s game

Golden State Valkyries Apologize to Kate Martin Before Chicago Sky Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kate Martin and the Golden State Valkyries looked to close out their two-game road trip with a win, taking on the Angel Reese-less Chicago Sky on Friday night.

Playing the last-place Connecticut Sun, the Valkyries got off to a sluggish start Monday night but caught fire in the third quarter to cruise to a 74-57 win. Golden State shot 10-of-22 from the 3-point line in the second half and made 13 3s overall in a dominant win.

San Francisco Standard columnist Tim Kawakami went to Sunday’s Valkyries game and reported on the fan atmosphere at Chase Center, which he said was “thrumming” even in the team’s worst home loss of the season. But buried in his reporting were two paragraphs about a brewing scheduling conflict with the Laver Cup, an international tennis tournament:

Rising through the ranks, Veronica Burton’s impact on the court is undeniable—her playmaking and defense are shaping her value in a league where every contract tells a story. Check all about her deal with the Golden State Valkyries.

Kahleah Copper scored 25 points, and the Phoenix Mercury came back to beat the Golden State Valkyries on Tuesday night.