Paige Bueckers Highlights Kaitlyn Chen’s Impact After Valkyries Win Wings

The Golden State Valkyries continued their impressive stretch on Wednesday night, earning their fourth consecutive victory with a 91-80 win over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center. The matchup featured momentum swings, former teammates facing each other, and another standout showing from a young player earning a larger role.

The game was competitive from the opening minutes, with both teams trading control throughout the night. Dallas started quickly by taking a 26-17 lead after the first quarter, but Golden State responded with a dominant second period, outscoring the Wings 27-7 to completely shift the momentum.

The Valkyries improved to 10-5 on the season and remained one of the league’s strongest home teams with a 7-2 record at Chase Center. Dallas dropped to 9-6 despite showing flashes of strong play during the contest.

Beyond the final score, the game carried extra meaning because of the connection between several players. Dallas stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd reunited with Golden State guard Kaitlyn Chen, their former Connecticut teammate who helped the program win a national championship in 2025.

1. Reunion Brings Out Praise

After the game, Bueckers took time to recognize Chen’s development and the confidence she has shown while adjusting to the professional level. The former college teammates shared success together at Connecticut, and Bueckers has continued to follow Chen’s growth since entering the WNBA. Bueckers explained that Chen’s success has not been surprising because of the work ethic she displayed throughout their time together. She noted that Chen has always been prepared for opportunities and has the mindset needed to make an impact when her number is called. “Being around Kaitlyn, she always works hard,” Bueckers said. She added that Chen’s confidence and ability to influence games in different ways make her a valuable player for Golden State. One specific area Bueckers highlighted was Chen’s ability to attack the basket. She praised Chen’s creativity around the rim, pointing out that her finishing ability and variety of layups are among the most impressive aspects of her game.

2. Chen Delivers Key Performance

Chen played an important role in helping the Valkyries secure another victory. Coming off the bench, she provided efficient scoring and helped Golden State maintain control during crucial stretches of the game. The guard finished with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting while adding two rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes. Her performance continued a strong season where she has become one of the league’s more effective reserve players. Bueckers also contributed for Dallas, recording 15 points, three rebounds, and eight assists despite struggling with her shooting efficiency. She continued to create opportunities for teammates but could not help the Wings overcome Golden State’s second-half push. Fudd also had a difficult offensive night, finishing with 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. However, she made an impact defensively by recording five steals as Dallas attempted to stay competitive against the Valkyries.

3. Growing Role For Young Guard

Chen’s rise has been one of the positive developments for Golden State this season. Selected in the third round of the previous draft, she has exceeded expectations by becoming a reliable contributor in limited minutes. Through the season, Chen has averaged 6.1 points per game while shooting 52.2% from the field. Her efficiency from outside has been especially impressive, as she has connected on 56.6% of her three-point attempts. The Valkyries have benefited from having players like Chen provide energy and production beyond their starting lineup. Her ability to create offense, attack defenders, and make smart decisions has strengthened Golden State’s overall depth. For Dallas, the focus now shifts toward responding after the loss. The Wings will look to bounce back when they return to action Saturday against the Chicago Sky, while Golden State continues building momentum as one of the WNBA’s rising teams.