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Salaun's scoring leads Valkyries; injuries affect opposing teams

PUBLISHED May 9, 2026, 1:08 AM ET

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Seattle — Janelle Salaun scored 20 points and tied a career high with five 3-pointers as the Golden State Valkyries beat the Seattle Storm 91-80 on Friday night in the WNBA season opener in Seattle, with Veronica Burton adding 16 points and Golden State connecting on 15 of 37 three-point attempts. This week the teams reported several injury developments: Seattle announced starter Ezi Magbegor is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a right foot injury, Golden State had Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini exit the Seattle game with injuries, and on Sunday Salaun scored 21 off the bench in Golden State’s 95-79 home victory over the Phoenix Mercury, where Gabby Williams added 19 points.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Prior season: Valkyries became the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in their debut season.
Friday: Golden State defeated Seattle Storm 91-80 in the season opener; Janelle Salaun scored 20.
During that game Golden State had two players leave with injuries and neither returned.
Seattle announced Ezi Magbegor is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks with a right foot injury.
Sunday: Golden State won their home opener 95-79 over Phoenix; Salaun scored 21 off the bench and Gabby Williams had 19.

News Intelligence

The Valkyries' strong start to the season is a win for Golden State fans. But injuries can change the game. Keep an eye on how the team adjusts without Hayes and Zandalasini. If you're a Seattle supporter, Magbegor's absence could impact the Storm's performance.

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Who Benefited

The Golden State Valkyries benefited most: Salaun's shooting and Williams' contributions produced wins and expanded scoring options for the team, while bench players saw increased minutes and the franchise demonstrated depth early in the season.

Who Impacted

The Seattle Storm suffered a loss and a significant roster setback with Ezi Magbegor expected to miss six to eight weeks; Golden State also lost players to injuries during the Seattle game, creating short-term availability concerns.

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