Janelle Salaun’s Explosive Bench Performance Powers Valkyries Past Storm in WNBA Season Opener

SEATTLE — In a league defined by superteams and superstar trades, the Golden State Valkyries are proving that the sum of their parts is a formula for success. On the opening night of the WNBA’s historic 30th season, it was a spark off the bench that ignited a 91-80 victory over the host Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. Janelle Salaun came roaring off the pine to score a season-opening 20 points, drilling five three-pointers, as the second-year Valkyries served notice that their surprise playoff run last summer was no fluke.

The victory was a statement of depth and resilience. While the Storm leaned on their new core, the Valkyries showcased a balanced attack that overwhelmed Seattle in the second half. Golden State trailed by as many as nine points in the first quarter before a stunning turnaround, fueled by Veronica Burton’s playmaking and a career-defining performance from rookie Kaitlyn Chen.

The Sixth-Woman Difference: Salaun’s Shooting Clinic

When Janelle Salaun checked into the game with 4:12 remaining in the first quarter, the Valkyries were struggling to find their rhythm. By the time the final buzzer sounded, she had transformed the game. The 6-foot-1 forward, known for her versatility, was a marksman from beyond the arc. Her five triples came at critical junctures, each one silencing the Seattle crowd.

“She’s a microwave,” Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said postgame. “You put her in, and she just heats up. She doesn’t need a lot of touches to get going. Tonight, she was the difference.”

Salaun’s efficiency was staggering. She shot 7-of-11 from the field and a perfect 5-of-8 from three-point range. Her ability to stretch the floor created driving lanes for Burton and allowed Kayla Thornton to operate in the post. For a Valkyries team that prides itself on pace and space, Salaun is the ultimate chess piece.

• Key stat: Salaun’s +18 plus-minus was the highest on the team.
• Impact: Her 20 points matched her career high from last season, set in a playoff game against the Liberty.

This performance highlights a growing trend in the WNBA: the value of a reliable sixth woman. In a league where starting lineups often get the headlines, Golden State’s bench outscored Seattle’s reserves 38-18. That disparity was the backbone of the victory.

Burton and Chen Steer the Ship Down the Stretch

While Salaun provided the early fireworks, it was Veronica Burton who steadied the Valkyries during a turbulent second quarter. The point guard finished with 16 points and six assists, but her most crucial work came in the final 10 minutes. With Seattle’s defense collapsing on drives, Burton calmly kicked out to open shooters or finished through contact at the rim.

“Veronica is our floor general,” said Nakase. “She doesn’t get rattled. When Seattle made runs, she was the one calling sets and getting us into our offense.”

The story of the night, however, belonged to Kaitlyn Chen. The undrafted rookie guard, who played college ball at Princeton and UCLA, scored all of her career-high 14 points in the second half. Chen was fearless, attacking the rim against a physical Storm frontcourt and knocking down two crucial mid-range jumpers in the fourth quarter.

Chen’s emergence is a massive boost for Golden State. After losing key guard minutes in the offseason, the Valkyries needed someone to step up. If Chen can consistently provide this kind of scoring punch, the team’s backcourt becomes one of the deepest in the league.

Burton’s final line: 16 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, 0 turnovers in 32 minutes. That is the definition of control.

Gabby Williams Returns to Seattle in a Mixed Bag

One of the most anticipated storylines of the night was the return of Gabby Williams to Seattle. The versatile forward spent four seasons with the Storm, becoming a fan favorite for her tenacious defense and high basketball IQ. However, her homecoming got off to a rocky start.

Williams went 0-for-5 from the field in the first half, looking visibly frustrated as her shots rimmed out. The Seattle crowd, which gave her a warm ovation during introductions, grew quiet as she struggled. But true to form, Williams adjusted. She finished with seven points, six rebounds and four assists, impacting the game in ways that don’t always show up on the scoresheet.

“I just tried to focus on the other things—rebounding, defending, getting my teammates involved,” Williams said. “It’s always weird playing against old friends, but once the ball goes up, it’s just basketball.”

Her defensive assignment on Seattle’s Dominique Malonga was a key factor in the second half. After Malonga scored 15 points in the first two quarters, Williams held her to just six points in the second half. It was a subtle but critical adjustment that shifted the game’s momentum.

Storm’s New-Look Roster Shows Promise, But Chemistry Lags

For the Seattle Storm, the loss was a sobering reminder that talent alone doesn’t win games. Dominique Malonga was sensational, posting a game-high 21 points and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-6 center from France was a force inside, using her length to alter shots and finish over smaller defenders.

Rookie Flau’jae Johnson, acquired in a draft-night trade with Golden State, added 12 points in her WNBA debut. The LSU product showed flashes of the explosive scoring that made her a top-10 pick, including a vicious crossover and step-back three that had the crowd on its feet.

Zia Cooke chipped in 15 points, and Jade Melbourne added 13, but the Storm struggled with turnovers (17) and defensive rotations. Head coach Noelle Quinn pointed to a lack of familiarity as a primary issue.

“We have a lot of new pieces,” Quinn said. “That’s not an excuse, but it’s reality. We need to build trust on the defensive end. Golden State made us pay for every mistake.”

Seattle’s biggest weakness was perimeter defense. The Valkyries shot 12-of-28 from three-point range, with many of those looks coming off simple pick-and-pop actions. If the Storm can’t close out faster, they will struggle against elite shooting teams.

Expert Analysis: What This Win Means for the Valkyries

This victory is more than just a 1-0 start. It validates the Valkyries’ identity as a team that can win in multiple ways. Last season, they relied heavily on their starters. Now, with Salaun and Chen emerging, they have legitimate depth. The Western Conference is wide open, and Golden State has the pieces to make a deep run.

Three key takeaways:

1. Depth wins in May. The Valkyries’ bench outscored Seattle’s 38-18. That is a championship-level margin.
2. Burton is an All-Star candidate. Her assist-to-turnover ratio (6:0) is elite. She controls tempo like a veteran.
3. Chen is a steal. If she keeps scoring like this, Golden State has a legitimate sixth or seventh option that other teams lack.

Predictions for the Rest of the Season

Based on opening night, here is how I see the landscape shifting:

• Golden State Valkyries: They finish in the top four of the Western Conference. If Chen continues to develop, they could challenge for a top-two seed. Their chemistry is already ahead of schedule.
• Seattle Storm: This team will be better by July. Malonga looks like a star, and Johnson will only improve. But they need time. Expect a slow start and a strong finish, likely landing in the 6-8 seed range.
• Janelle Salaun: If she stays healthy, she is a legitimate Sixth Woman of the Year candidate. Her shooting is a weapon that defenses cannot ignore.

Strong Conclusion: A New Era in the WNBA

The 30th season of the WNBA kicked off with a bang, and the Golden State Valkyries are already writing a compelling chapter. In a league that often celebrates the individual, this team is winning with collective effort. Janelle Salaun’s 20-point explosion off the bench was the headline, but the story is bigger: the Valkyries are for real.

Seattle will bounce back. They have too much talent not to. But on this night, the Valkyries showed that they belong in the conversation among the league’s elite. With a balanced attack, a fearless rookie, and a bench that can change the game in an instant, Golden State is not just a feel-good story anymore. They are a contender.

The WNBA’s 30th season is only one game old, but the Valkyries have already sent a clear message: expect the unexpected.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

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