The Chicago Sky defeated the Golden State Valkyries 69-63 in a tightly contested WNBA matchup on Wednesday night, May 13, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Why it matters: This victory marks a strong start for the Sky as they continue their road trip, improving their record to 2-0. The win highlights Chicago's defensive capabilities, which were instrumental in overcoming offensive struggles.
- The Sky shot 36% from the field, a stark improvement over the Valkyries' 29.3% shooting performance.
- Chicago held Golden State to just 28 points in the first half, demonstrating effective perimeter defense.
- This game was part of a four-game road trip for the Sky, aiming to build momentum early in the season.
Driving the news: The matchup featured two teams with contrasting starts to the season. The Sky opened with a decisive 98-83 win against the Portland Fire, whereas the Valkyries entered the game undefeated at 2-0 after victories against the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury.
- Kamilla Cardoso led the Sky in scoring with 22 points and 14 rebounds, including eight offensive boards.
- Skylar Diggins contributed significantly with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, though she struggled with her shooting.
- Gabby Williams, a key player for the Valkyries, had a notable impact with 18 points and five rebounds.
State of play: The game unfolded as a defensive battle, with both teams struggling offensively at times. The Sky's defense, bolstered by the return of veteran guard Natasha Cloud, played a major role in limiting the Valkyries' scoring opportunities.
- The Sky managed to hold the Valkyries to just 9 points in the second quarter, emphasizing their defensive prowess.
- Chicago's offense was inconsistent, particularly in the first half, where they shot 0 for 10 from three-point range.
- Rickea Jackson and Kamilla Cardoso combined to shoot poorly in the first half, going 2 for 14.
The big picture: Both teams are looking to establish themselves in the early stages of the season. The Sky's victory demonstrates their potential to compete defensively, even when their offense falters.
- The Valkyries had previously averaged over 40% shooting from three-point range but struggled significantly against the Sky's defense.
- Chicago's head coach Tyler Marsh praised the team's resilience and defensive effort, stating, "We shouldn’t take it for granted that when we play defense like this, we can overcome those offensive struggles."
- Jacy Sheldon, a guard for the Sky, noted the importance of their defensive identity, saying, "We got a lot of dogs. We got a lot of competitors."
What they're saying: After the game, players and coaches from both teams commented on the performance and the significance of the match.
- Coach Tyler Marsh emphasized the need for continued improvement, particularly in offensive execution, stating, "When things weren’t working for us offensively, we stayed in it defensively, which is good."
- Gabby Williams highlighted the Valkyries' need to bounce back, saying, "We have to learn from this and come back stronger next game."
- Skylar Diggins acknowledged the team's defensive focus, noting, "We knew we had to step up on defense to secure the win tonight."
By the numbers: Key statistics from the game that highlight the performance of both teams.
- Chicago shot 36% from the field and 31% from three-point range, compared to Golden State's 29.3% and 26.9% respectively.
- The Sky made 13 of 21 free throws for a 61.9% success rate, whereas the Valkyries converted 12 of 16 for 75%.
- Chicago dominated the boards, finishing with 39 rebounds compared to Golden State's 42, with both teams contributing to a competitive rebounding battle.
What's next: The Chicago Sky will look to build on their momentum as they continue their road trip, facing off against other competitive teams in the league.
- The Sky's next game is scheduled for May 15, 2026, against the Las Vegas Aces, a formidable opponent.
- The Valkyries aim to regroup and focus on improving their shooting efficiency ahead of their next matchup.
- Fans can catch upcoming games via various streaming services, including Fubo, which offers live broadcasts of WNBA games.