Valkyries Dominate Sparks 78-58 with Strong Performances from Williams and Charles

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries secured their third consecutive victory on Monday night, defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 78-58, thanks to standout contributions from Gabby Williams and Kaila Charles. Williams led the team with 16 points, while Charles, coming off the bench, added 13 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

The Sparks struggled offensively, with Rae Burrell scoring 13 points, but both Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike were limited to just nine points each. This loss ended Los Angeles' three-game winning streak. Charles was instrumental in the first half, scoring the last seven points before halftime, making 5 of 7 shots overall and hitting two 3-pointers. The Valkyries established a commanding 45-26 lead by halftime.

Golden State's early momentum was evident as they made eight of their first 13 attempts, leading to a 25-10 advantage after the first quarter. The Valkyries dominated the paint, scoring 36 points inside and contributing 30 points from the bench. Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini also played key roles, contributing 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Fans at Chase Center welcomed back Sparks guard Kate Martin with a heartfelt video tribute and a loud ovation. Martin, who played for Golden State during the inaugural 2025 season and started this year with the team, recorded three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 11 minutes of action.

Los Angeles began the game sluggishly, falling behind 8-0 as they missed their first five shots. Although Plum managed to score a three-pointer midway through the opening quarter, the Sparks struggled overall, finishing the game with a shooting percentage of just 33.3%.

Looking ahead, the Sparks will host the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday, while the Valkyries are set to face the Dallas Wings on the same night.