The Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen had the best game of her WNBA career and did something that no other player has done this season.
Chen was dialed in against the Washington Mystics, despite the Valkyries’ taking a 90-82 loss, snapping a franchise-best nine-game win streak.
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Chen scored 20 points and added six assists in 24 minutes off the bench. Chen was efficient from the floor, shooting 61% on 8-of-13 field goal shooting. She added two rebounds, a steal and knocked down two 3-point field goals.
The Valkyries reserve guard became the first player in the WNBA this season to record at least 20 points and five assists, coming off the bench.
Chen, 24, is averaging 7.3 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 14.3 minutes per game. She was a 30th overall selection in the third round of the 2025 WNBA Draft out of the University of Connecticut.
The 5-foot-9 guard is shooting the ball at an efficient clip at 57.1% on field goals and 40.6% on 3-point shots.
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Golden State has the third-best record in the WNBA at 19-8, sitting two games behind the Minnesota Lynx (21-6) and a half game behind the second-place Las Vegas Aces.
The Valkyries have a week off to go back to the drawing board and prepare to begin another win streak. Their next game is against the Phoenix Mercury on July 29. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The game will be broadcast on CNBC and USA Network.
Jul 20, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) brings the ball down the court against Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin (0) during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Jul 20, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) celebrates with guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) after a basket and foul against the Washington Mystics during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Jul 20, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) shoots the ball against the Washington Mystics during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Jul 20, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen (2) smiles after a basket against the Washington Mystics during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen scores career-high 20 points off bench in loss
