Golden State found an unlikely Caitlin Clark problem-solver in Veronica Burton originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Caitlin Clark left San Francisco with another record.
Veronica Burton left with the win. That’s ultimately what mattered most for the Golden State Valkyries, who continued their remarkable start to life as a WNBA franchise with a 90-88 victory over the Indiana Fever on Thursday night.
Clark became the fastest player in league history to reach 1,000 career points and 500 assists, but the Valkyries made sure the celebration was limited. Much of that credit belongs to Burton, who turned in the most complete game of her season.
The stat that jumps off the page
Burton scored a season-high 25 points and added a career-best five blocks. For a guard, that number is almost unheard of. Even more impressive was who she was blocking.
Clark has built her reputation on creating space, getting downhill and finding angles few defenders can anticipate. Burton repeatedly disrupted those plans, using her timing, anticipation and relentless effort to make every possession difficult.
The result was one of Clark’s least efficient shooting performances of the season. She finished 3-for-12 from the field as Golden State consistently forced her into contested looks.
CAREER-HIGH 5 BLOCKS FOR VERONICA BURTON đ¨
IND-GSV | Prime Video
Tap to watch: https://t.co/KPdurhFV74pic.twitter.com/hbAwPYPp0zâ WNBA (@WNBA) May 29, 2026
Golden State’s defensive identity is taking shape
Expansion teams are usually defined by what they lack. The Valkyries are quickly becoming known for what they do well.
Golden State entered the season without a superstar centerpiece, but the franchise has developed a clear identity built around defense, physicality and effort. Thursday’s game may have been the best example yet.
The Valkyries recorded 11 blocks as a team and constantly challenged Indiana around the rim. Every Fever run seemed to be answered by another defensive stop. Burton was at the center of it all.
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More than just a feel-good story
At 5-2, the Valkyries are no longer playing the role of a scrappy expansion team surprising opponents. They’re becoming a legitimate contender in the early WNBA standings.
Thursday’s win was another reminder that Golden State has players capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor. Burton’s offensive breakout grabbed headlines, but her defense may have been even more valuable.
Clark still added another historic accomplishment to her resume. But when the final buzzer sounded at Chase Center, the biggest story wasn’t the record. It was the player who helped make sure that record came in a loss.
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