Valkyries Secure Another Win Against Sparks
On Friday evening, the Golden State Valkyries triumphed over the Los Angeles Sparks with a score of 82-73, marking their second victory within three nights.
Post-game, the team’s two French rookies, Cara Lait and Janelle Surrown, joined for a television interview. Both players, I mean, it made sense they teamed up to answer questions since they played such vital roles in the game.
Salaün had a solid performance, racking up 18 points and eight rebounds in just 30 minutes, including four three-pointers. On the other hand, Late led the offense, scoring 19 points on a remarkable 7-of-10 shooting, along with three assists.
Janelle Salaün and Carla Leite @valkyries Win with an impressive performance
Janelle dominated with points and rebounds, while Carla coordinated the offense beautifully.
Salaün: 18 pts | 8 Reb
Leite: 19 pts | 2 AST– WNBA (@WNBA)
When asked what contributed to their second victory, Lait, with a grin, noted, “My English isn’t very good, so she…” pointing to Surrown, who translated the reporter’s questions.
In a heartwarming post-match moment, Carla Lait admits that her English isn’t big, so teammate Janelle Surrow intervenes in the translation
The French duo was powered @valkyries To their second consecutive victory!
– WNBA (@WNBA)
“She’s so happy and I hope we continue to play like that,” Surrown said, reflecting on Lait’s upbeat demeanor.
Valkyries’ French Standouts Key to Early Success
Carla Lait arrived at Golden State through the Expansion Draft in December when the Valkyries selected her after she was left unprotected by the Dallas Wings. She was drafted ninth overall in 2024.
Meanwhile, Janelle Salaün signed a training camp agreement with the Valkyries in February. The team is currently 2-0 on the season.
Alongside Leite and Salaün, other key players like Veronica Burton, who contributed 12 points and five steals, and Kayla Thornton with 14 points and 10 rebounds, were also pivotal in the victory.
Before the season kicked off, head coach Natalie Nakaze shared her high hopes for the team with SB Nation. “When I look at the 11 players I have chosen, they possess the qualities we really want. Establishing a championship culture is vital for the future,” she mentioned.
“I really want to work hard. It’s part of my nature,” Nakaze added. “I’m incredibly competitive. Losing is not something I take lightly.”
Under her guidance, the roster, initially predicted to struggle, has exceeded expectations in its opening games, securing wins over both the Washington Mystics and Sparks.
Looking ahead, the challenges will ramp up as they prepare for their next game against the defending champion New York Liberty on Tuesday.
