In her fourth season in the WNBA, Veronica Burton, a former Northwestern guard, is delivering a breakout performance for the Golden State Valkyries. Playing a critical role as the point guard, Burton has participated in all 32 games this season, helping her Bay Area expansion team reach a 17-15 record and position themselves for a playoff berth.

Since July 29, the Valkyries have been on a strong 6-2 run, currently projected as the No. 7 seed in the playoff race with just under a month remaining in the regular season. Burton’s steady presence and leadership have been central to this surge and the team‘s overall competitiveness.

Career-High Night Pushes Valkyries to Third Straight Win

Burton’s defining moment came on Wednesday night in a tightly contested 88-83 victory over the Washington Mystics. The point guard scored a career-high 30 points on an efficient 10-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. Alongside her scoring, she contributed seven rebounds, seven assists, and a steal in 36 minutes of play, making a comprehensive impact on the game.

This performance was not just a personal best; it was a historic achievement for the organization. Burton became the first Golden State Valkyrie ever to score 30 points in a single game. Moreover, she joined an elite company in the WNBA by recording a 30-7-7 stat line on a shooting percentage of over 75%. The only other players to accomplish this feat are Sabrina Ionescu of New York and Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, both strong MVP contenders.

Veronica Burton Emerging as a Strong Candidate for Most Improved Player

With 12 games left in the season, Burton’s impressive progress puts her on track for consideration as the WNBA’s Most Improved Player. After an illustrious career at Northwestern, she was drafted seventh overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2022 WNBA Draft but struggled to find consistent playing time and impact, averaging only 2.5 points and 2.1 assists per game during her two years with Dallas.

Following her release from Dallas, Burton played overseas before signing with the Connecticut Sun during the 2024 season, where her shooting improved significantly. The Golden State Valkyries then acquired her during their expansion draft six months later.

This season, Burton is posting career highs across nearly all statistics. She is averaging 11.2 points, 5.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, one steal, and half a block per game. Her shooting percentages have shown remarkable growth, reaching a personal best of 38.5% from the field and 38.6% from three-point range, a substantial leap from her 29.4% field goal and 27.1% three-point accuracy just two seasons ago.

Burton’s Impact Fuels Valkyries’ Playoff Push

The most important outcome of Burton’s improvement is the Valkyries’ enhanced competitiveness. As Golden State’s starting point guard, she has been the leading facilitator on a brand-new franchise that is now firmly in the playoff hunt. Burton’s steady playmaking and scoring have helped solidify the team’s presence in a demanding Western Conference race.

Whether she ultimately wins the Most Improved Player Award or not, Burton’s ongoing development reflects the best basketball of her career and signals her growing importance to the Valkyries’ future success. The team’s current trajectory suggests that her contributions will be vital as the regular season draws to a close and the playoffs approach.

“With 12 regular season games left, Burton appears to be on a collision course with the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award.” —Gavin Dorsey, Lead Writer for Northwestern Wildcats On SI

“Veronica Burton is playing the best basketball of her career and continues to show what she’s capable of.” —Gavin Dorsey, Lead Writer for Northwestern Wildcats On SI