The Golden State Valkyries earned a 76-75 road win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday, September 24, with Kaitlyn Chen leading all scorers at 18 points as Golden State closed on a 30-20 fourth quarter at crypto.com Arena. The Valkyries improved to 32-12, while Los Angeles fell to 16-28.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Valkyries 15, Sparks 13

Golden State established an early two-point advantage in a low-scoring opening period. The Valkyries limited Los Angeles to 13 points and carried a 15-13 lead into the second quarter.

Second Quarter: Sparks 22, Valkyries 11

Los Angeles responded with its strongest stretch of the first half, outscoring Golden State 22-11. The Sparks moved the ball effectively and took a 35-26 lead into halftime after reversing the early deficit.

Third Quarter: Valkyries 20, Sparks 20

Neither team gained separation in an even third period. Both sides scored 20 points, leaving the Sparks ahead 55-46 with 10 minutes remaining and Golden State needing a late push on the road.

Fourth Quarter: Valkyries 30, Sparks 20

The Valkyries took control in the final period, outscoring Los Angeles by 10 to complete the one-point result. Golden State’s 30 fourth-quarter points accounted for its highest-scoring period of the night and turned a nine-point halftime deficit into a 76-75 victory.

Key Performers

Kaitlyn Chen, Golden State: Chen led all scorers with 18 points, providing the Valkyries with their top scoring performance in the close road win.

Kiah Stokes, Golden State: Stokes led Golden State with 12 rebounds, helping the Valkyries finish with a 35-33 edge on the glass.

Veronica Burton, Golden State: Burton handed out a team-high five assists as the Valkyries recorded 13 assists overall.

Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles: Ogwumike delivered the game’s most complete stat line for the Sparks, posting 17 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.

NerdSports Stat: Golden State scored 30 of its 76 points in the fourth quarter, meaning 39.5% of the Valkyries’ entire offense came in the final 10 minutes.

Game Analysis

The deciding factors came in the closing period and at the foul line. Golden State made 17 of 21 free throws for 81.0%, compared with Los Angeles making 10 of 15. That seven-point advantage at the stripe was especially important in a game decided by a single point.

Los Angeles held advantages in assists, 22-13, and 3-point makes, 9-5, while shooting 41.2% from the field. Golden State shot 39.1% overall but stayed within reach through rebounding and free-throw efficiency before delivering its 30-point fourth quarter. The Valkyries also finished with two more rebounds than the Sparks, 35-33.

Closing Context

The result moved Golden State to 32-12 overall and 15-7 on the road, while Los Angeles dropped to 16-28 and 8-14 at home. No series implications were provided with the game data, but the one-point outcome gave the Valkyries another valuable road result and left the Sparks narrowly short after leading by nine at halftime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Golden State Valkyries vs Los Angeles Sparks game on September 24, 2026?

Golden State Valkyries defeated Los Angeles Sparks 76-75 on September 24, 2026.

How many points did Kaitlyn Chen score?

Kaitlyn Chen scored 18 points; her individual shooting percentage was not provided in the available game statistics.

What are Golden State Valkyries’ standings after this game?

After the win, Golden State sits 32-12 in the WNBA standings.

Who was the best player in the game?

Nneka Ogwumike was the standout performer with 17 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.