Veronica Burton's Emotional Response After Valkyries' Crushing Loss to Lynx
The Golden State Valkyries' miracle run is over.
The Valkyries put up a considerable fight in Game 2 against the Minnesota Lynx as they fought to avoid elimination in front of their home crowd of Ballhalla.
The Valkyries held a commanding lead throughout most of the game until the Lynx mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, and the game came down to just a single score.
With the game on the line and the seconds counting down, Golden State forward Cecilia Zandalasini got the ball with one more chance to take a shot and save the Valkyries' season. But, Zandalasini's shot bounced off the rim, and with it fell the Valkyries' season.
Season of a Lifetime. Thank you Ballhalla. 💜@aboutKP pic.twitter.com/0iINPsScZP
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) September 18, 2025
The End to a Historic Season
"Obviously, that's a really tough way to go out, when you have a lead majority of the game. I think we've had a few games like that this year so it stings even more," Golden State guard Veronica Burton said (via WNBA). "But just really soaking this all in. This was an incredible experience. This was an incredible team."
The Valkyries have been fighting against the odds all season, and this playoff series was no different. As the eighth seed, the Valkyries were up against the Lynx, the best team in the WNBA in the regular season. After falling by 29 points in Game 1, the Valkyries came out strong and held the lead most of the game until the final minutes before the eventual loss.
Still, the Valkyries have much to be proud of in 2025. As a first-year Expansion franchise, the Valkyries have defied the odds all season. Even just making it to the playoffs was new ground for a team in their position, and Golden State made sure to give their home crowd a show, even if it was in an unfamiliar arena in SAP Center, rather than Chase Center.
"This was an incredible team. A group of women that are really great people, and obviously ballers, too," Burton said. "I think it's bigger than basketball right now, and just appreciating where we are. Appreciating being in the Bay in front of this fanbase. It's just been really special."
Amongst all the achievements, the Valkyries fought against their fair share of adversity as well. Starting from scratch with young players and others they collected from the Expansion Draft, the Valkyries were still stricken with injuries, including the loss of All-Star forward Kayla Thornton for the season in mid-July, and the loss of key guard Tiffany Hayes from the playoffs due to a knee injury.
Fairytale beginnings. Thank you for everything, Ballhalla. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/TEHo3djqND
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) September 18, 2025
"This has been a really up and down year. A lot of injuries, a lot of different lineups, different rotations, but each one of us poured into this team and stepped up in different ways," Burton said. "I think we just built a bond that was unbreakable, so just reminding ourselves of that and the pride we have every time we put on a Valkyries jersey."
Golden State's season may have ended on Wednesday night, but 2025 has been a season to remember. The Valkyries have broken the mold for what an Expansion franchise can be and set the standard for what they can achieve going forward.
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Bio: Jack Haslett is a writer and photographer covering Golden State Valkyries basketball for Sports Illustrated. Jack has previously published work with the Sporting Tribune, the Long Beach Current and DIG Magazine, covering sports, community events and news. A graduate from Long Beach State University, Jack has a passion for writing, photography and all things sports.