Just two games into their inaugural season, 2025 WNBA expansion team Golden State recorded their first-ever win on Wednesday night, with the Valkyries defeating Washington 76-74 in front of a sell-out home crowd at the Chase Center.

Despite Mystics guard Brittney Sykes's game-leading 30 points, the Valkyries kept it close, securing the victory with key shots in game's final minutes.

Guard Veronica Burton led Golden State with a career-high 22 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, with forward Kayla Thornton's 18-point, five-rebound night sealing the deal.

"These are the moments you don't forget," Burton told reporters after the win. "We've been in the gym working, training, and there's been a lot of anticipation, a lot of build-up… [I'm] embracing this moment."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

With the restocked Mystics coming off an unexpectedly strong start, Golden State managed to hand now-2-1 Washington their first loss of the season.

The performance did highlight some areas of improvement, with the Valks struggling to convert three-point plays, going 7-for-37 beyond the arc to drop their overall shooting below 40%.

That said, building a new roster, culture, and on-court strategy from the ground up takes time, though Wednesday's first win bodes well for the Valkyries — especially considering the California side opened the season with the league's longest odds of success.

"We've been working really hard for this," said Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase. "We've only played 80 minutes together, but it's a credit to everyone prepping and putting in their hard work."

Northwestern’s Veronica Burton has declared for the 2022 WNBA Draft.

In a statement on Twitter, Burton said that Northwestern “has exceeded every expectation of what I wanted my college basketball experience to be like.”

“I am beyond thankful to have been able to attend and play at a school that compares to none,” she wrote.

Burton was one of the nation’s best players in 2022. Through 29 games, she averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 4.0 steals. As a result, she became the first Northwestern women’s basketball player to be named to an AP All-America team, earning Third Team honors.

She was also an All-Big Ten selection, earning First Team honors and won her third consecutive Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

With her declaration, Burton becomes one of the top prospects for the 2022 WNBA Draft, which is scheduled to take place April 11 in New York City.

Northwestern took down No. 22 Iowa Thursday night 77-69 for their first win over a ranked team this season.

It’s the Wildcats’ third-straight win over Iowa after completing the sweep last season.

Each team had two players score 20 points or more as both teams shot 41 percent from the field. The major difference maker was on the glass, as Northwestern out-rebounded Iowa 42-31.

Foul trouble plagued Iowa, with McKenna Warnock and Kate Martin each fouling out. Warnock had 14 points and eight rebounds before leaving the game.

The Wildcats also forced 18 turnovers, thanks in part to senior Veronica Burton, who matched a career-high with eight steals.

The two-time reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year finished with 25 points, eight steals, six rebounds and six assists. Burton now sits inside the top ten all-time in career steals in Big Ten history with 329.

Freshman Melannie Daley had 22 points and six rebounds as the only other Wildcat in double-digits.

The dynamic duo of Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano was firing from all cylinders despite the loss. Clark had a game-high 30 points, adding three rebounds and five assists. Czinano, in her first game back from COVID-19 protocols, had 20 points and six rebounds.

Northwestern will look to move to 3-0 in Big Ten play on Sunday against Ohio State at 3 p.m. ET. The Hawkeyes will have an opportunity to rebound against Nebraska at 2 p.m. ET.