Connecticut Sun @ Golden State Valkyries
Kayla Thornton scores 21 as Valkyries hand Sun 6th consecutive loss, 87-63
SAN FRANCISCO -- — Kayla Thornton had 21 points and eight rebounds, Tiffany Hayes scored 14 points on Sunday night and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Connecticut Sun 87-63.
Connecticut (2-12) has lost six straight.
Laeticia Amihere had 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds — her first career double-double — for Golden State (7-6). The Valkyries, who beat Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever 88-77 on Thursday, have won five of six. The Sun’s 63 points were the fewest Golden State has allowed in a game this season.
Chloe Bibby scored 11 points, Veronica Burton added 10 and Stephanie Talbot grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds to go with six points and four assists.
Golden State set a franchise record for points in a quarter with 36 — including 14 by Thornton — in the second. The Valkyries made 10 of 18 from the field and 12 of 14 from the free-throw line, where Thornton was 7 of 7, and turned four offensive rebounds into seven second-chance points. Connecticut scored 12 points of 4-of-16 shooting in the quarter and trailed 59-32 at halftime.
Bibby hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer to close the first quarter and another 3 to open the second before Thornton converted a three-point play to cap a 12-2 run that gave the Valkyries a 32-22 lead with 8:20 left in the first half.
Aneesah Morrow led the Sun with 14 points and Jacy Sheldon scored 10.
Connecticut shot 30% (20 of 66) from the field, 7 of 24 (29%) from 3-point range.
The Valkyries play the third of four consecutive home games against defending WNBA champion New York and the Sun play at Las Vegas on Wednesday.
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Regular Season Series
GS wins 2-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- Jeff Smith
- Gina Cross
- Eric Brewton
2024-25 Eastern Conference Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 30 | 14 | .682 | - | W6 |
| New York | 27 | 17 | .614 | 3 | W3 |
| Indiana | 24 | 20 | .545 | 6 | W3 |
| Washington | 16 | 28 | .364 | 14 | L10 |
| Connecticut | 11 | 33 | .250 | 19 | L2 |
| Chicago | 10 | 34 | .227 | 20 | L4 |
2024-25 Western Conference Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 34 | 10 | .773 | - | W1 |
| Las Vegas | 30 | 14 | .682 | 4 | W16 |
| Phoenix | 27 | 17 | .614 | 7 | L3 |
| Seattle | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | W1 |
| Golden State | 23 | 21 | .523 | 11 | L3 |
| Los Angeles | 21 | 23 | .477 | 13 | L1 |
| Dallas | 10 | 34 | .227 | 24 | W1 |

