Before the game, Natalie Nakase said the trio heading to the World Cup (Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaun to France and Cecilia Zandalasini to Italy) would play Thursday night in New York before joining their teams in Berlin before the Valkyries play in Portland on Sunday. Nakase will join them as an assistant coach for Team USA following that contest.

The Sun were missing two of their front court members in Britteny Griner (knee) and Olivia Nelson-Odoa (knee). Former Valkyries draft pick Ashlon Jackson had 4 points in 19 minutes for the Sun.

It was a homecoming of sorts for the Valkyries’ four UConn players in Williams, Kiah Stokes, Kaitlyn Chen and Tiffany Hayes. Golden State has the most active Huskies in the WNBA.

I spoke with Veronica Burton’s father Steve Burton before the game. He’s been overjoyed to see the success his daughter has had with the Valkyries over the past two years. Wednesday ended up Burton’s seventh career game with 10-plus points, 7-plus assists and zero turnovers.

“Natalie’s been a godsend for her,” he said. “She holds her accountable. he expects a lot from Veronica, and Veronica knows she has to deliver for her. You know, if you're gonna be the floor general. Then be the floor general. That's your job, and you know what? It starts with you, and you got to make sure that it's not all about you. It's about the team. But you're the one bringing the ball up. You're the one in command and make sure everybody's on your same plane.”