Golden State Valkyries Secure Fourth Straight Win After Withstanding Sparks Rally
The Golden State Valkyries extended their winning streak to four games on Sunday with an 84-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. Despite building a 19-point lead, Golden State had to survive a late fourth-quarter comeback that brought Los Angeles within one point.
Key takeaways
- The Golden State Valkyries extended their winning streak to four games with a 22-9 season record.
- A 19-point lead for Golden State nearly evaporated as the Sparks cut the margin to one point in the fourth quarter.
- Valkyries center Kiah Stokes suffered an upper-body injury during the final period and did not return.
What Happened
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 84-78 at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Golden State entered the contest on a three-game winning streak and maintained control for the majority of the game, establishing a lead as large as 19 points. However, the Sparks initiated a fourth-quarter rally that reduced the deficit to a single point in the final minute of play. Golden State successfully defended their position in the closing seconds to secure the six-point victory.
Key Facts
- The final score was 84-78 in favor of the Golden State Valkyries.
- The Valkyries moved to a 22-9 record, while the Sparks fell to 12-19.
- Golden State forward Kiah Stokes exited the game in the fourth quarter following an upper-body injury.
- Los Angeles star Nneka Ogwumike attributed the loss to a slow start in the first quarter.
- The matchup was broadcast nationally on ESPN and Disney+.
Background
The 2026 WNBA season operates under a new collective bargaining agreement and a new media rights deal. Before this matchup, Golden State held the defensive advantage, allowing an average of 77.1 points per game compared to the 93.9 points allowed by Los Angeles. The game featured high-profile players including Dearica Hamby, who entered the game shooting 55.3% from the floor, and Veronica Burton, who averaged 5.6 assists per contest.
What Happens Next
The Valkyries will look to maintain their standing as the league enters 'WNBA Rivals Week.' Injury concerns remain for Golden State regarding Kiah Stokes' upper-body condition and Cecilia Zandalasini, who was listed as questionable with a quadricep issue prior to Sunday's tip-off. The Sparks continue their season following a stretch of games that included uncertainty regarding the availability of Monique Akoa Makani and Rae Burrell.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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