Washington Mystics vs. Golden State Valkyries – July 7, 2026
The Golden State Valkyries continued their impressive inaugural WNBA campaign with a gritty 62-49 road victory over the Washington Mystics on July 7, 2026. The game, played at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., was a defensive battle from start to finish, with the Valkyries holding the Mystics to just 49 points — their lowest output of the season.
Golden State’s defense was the story of the night. They forced 17 turnovers and contested nearly every shot inside the paint, limiting Washington’s frontcourt to a combined 23 points. The Valkyries’ ball movement on offense was crisp, generating 18 assists on 24 made field goals. Guard Sydney Wiese led all scorers with 18 points, including three 3-pointers in the second half that helped build a double-digit lead.
For Washington, struggling with offensive rhythm, veteran Natasha Cloud tried to spark the offense with 9 points and 7 assists, but the Mystics shot just 31% from the field. The loss drops Washington to 9-10 on the season, while Golden State improves to 12-7, solidifying their place in the playoff picture as an expansion team that is exceeding all expectations.
Head coach Natalie Nakase praised her team's discipline: “We knew Washington would try to slow us down, but our defensive rotations were sharp, and we stayed patient on offense. It’s a great win on the road.”
The Valkyries now return to the Bay Area to face the Chicago Sky, while the Mystics will look to bounce back against the New York Liberty.

