Janelle Salaun Torched Seattle for 20 Points and the Storm Never Recovered

The Golden State Valkyries came to Climate Pledge Arena on Friday night and left with a statement: they are not here to lose their opener. Salaun went off for 20 points, nailing 5 three-pointers in the process, leading the Valkyries to a convincing 91-80 victory over the Seattle Storm in the 2026 regular season opener.

Salaun Put on a Show

This was not a close game by the end, and Salaun was the reason why. Twenty points and five made threes is the kind of night that sets a tone early in a season, and the Storm had no answer for her shooting touch. She was the engine that kept Golden State rolling, and when you're getting that kind of production from your star, road wins come easy.

Kaitlyn Chen Added Punch Off the Bench

It was not all Salaun, though. Kaitlyn Chen chipped in with a career-high 14 points for the Valkyries, giving Golden State depth and balance that the Storm could not match. When both scorers are clicking like that on opening night, you're building something real.

Storm Fell Short at Home

Playing at Climate Pledge Arena, the Storm put up 80 points but could not keep pace. An 11-point loss in your home opener is the kind of result that stings, especially when the other team was this efficient and this sharp from three-point range.

The Valkyries move forward with momentum heading into their next matchup against the Phoenix Mercury on Monday. The Storm will be looking to bounce back and prove this opener was just a stumble, not a sign of things to come.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.