By Caroline Lau

The Chicago Sky fell to the Golden State Valkyries by a score of 78-83 in the first ever matchup between the two teams. The game took place in front of a sold-out crowd at Chase Center.

The Sky led 22-20 in the first quarter as Kia Nurse posted 9 points, draining three of her first five three attempts off the bench. Kayla Thornton matched Nurse with 9 points of her own.

After the first half, the Sky trailed 39-34 with 12 points from Nurse and 6 points each from Ariel Atkins and Rachel Banham. Kamilla Cardoso did not play, as she joined Team Brazil for 2025 FIBA AmeriCup. Chicago stayed in the game with seven first half three-point makes, but struggled with foul trouble as Angel Reese, Michaela Onyenwere, Nurse and Atkins committed 2 personal fouls each.

The Sky took the lead, 43-41, with 6:30 left in the third as Reese and Banham knocked down triples. Atkins hit multiple floaters and pull-up jumpers, adding 7 points of her own. The third quarter ended with the Sky down 54-56.

Chicago led 64-61 with 6:37 in the fourth quarter. Empty possessions by the Sky opened the door for the Valkyries, leading to a 12-0 run of threes and transition layups. Chicago’s four-minute scoring drought was ended by free throws from Reese. Atkins converted on a three-point-play bringing the Sky to within four.

With 47 seconds left, Reese fouled Kayla Thornton with one second left on the shot clock, making it a five-point game.

Free throws from Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen helped seal the game for the Valkyries.

Despite shooting just 37.1% from the field overall, the Sky remained competitive thanks to strong three-point shooting. They made 13 of 33 attempts (39.4%) from beyond the arc.

Reese put up 15 points and 11 rebounds on 6 of 11 shooting in the second half to keep the Sky in the game. Atkins also had a strong second half with 14 points on 50.0% shooting.

Atkins and Reese were positives in the loss as they posted 20 and 17 points, respectively. Reese also added 18 rebounds.

Thornton posted a career high for the Valkyries with 29 points on 8 of 15 shooting.

The Sky dropped to 4-11 on the season. They look to bounce back as they continue their road trip with a matchup at the 5-11 Los Angeles Sparks.