Vol. IThe Bluffball AlmanacSAT, JUN 13, 2026

Sportsinator

Daily sports news cheat sheets for people who need to talk sports

WNBAFinal2 Jun, 2026

Portland FirevsGolden State Valkyries

POR 77/GS 95

WNBA League Pass/Fox 12 PlusChase Center
Things to say

Golden State Valkyries beat the Portland Fire 95-77 at Chase Center.

01
opener
Valkyries took Portland to the woodshed at home, 95-77. Wasn't even close in the second half. Chase Center was rocking.
02
key player
Kayla Thornton was an absolute problem — 19 and 8, doing damage in the paint all night.
03
hot take
Portland's bench couldn't buy a bucket. Gustafson with 13 to lead the team? That ain't gonna get it done on the road.
04
deep cut
Veronica Burton quietly dished out 9 dimes running the show. She's the engine, nobody talks about her enough.
05
exit
Golden State's 6-3 now — quietly building something out west. Anyway, who you got next?
The recap

Valkyries took care of business at home, running Portland out of Chase Center 95-77. Kayla Thornton was the engine all night — 19 and 8 boards, just bullying folks in the paint — while Veronica Burton ran the show with 9 dimes.

Portland never really got their offense humming; Megan Gustafson's 13 was a team-high, which tells you everything about how the Fire couldn't buy a bucket. Golden State pulled away in the second half and never looked back, and Portland took the L on the road.

More from2 Jun, 2026browse that day’s box scores →