Seattle and Golden State victorious in the WNBA with the help of their French players

After six consecutive defeats, the Seattle Storm returned to winning ways on Friday in the WNBA regular season, defeating the Atlanta Dream (80-78). The Washington State franchise entered the final quarter with a 12-point lead (67-55), which the Dream managed to reduce, before narrowly failing.

Skylar Diggins led Seattle with 21 points (and was the game's joint-leading scorer with Atlanta's Rhyne Howard). The Storm's two French players also stood out: in the starting lineup, Gabby Williams scored 11 points, while Dominique Malonga, coming off the bench, scored 12 and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Seattle Storm are in fifth place in the Western Conference and have not yet qualified for the playoffs.

The Golden State Valkyries, meanwhile, notched a fourth straight victory, defeating the Chicago Sky 90-59 at home. The Californian franchise, created this season, made the difference with a 27-9 third quarter.

Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini led the Valkyries with 20 points. Golden State's French players were also decisive: 15 points for Janelle Salaün (plus 6 rebounds), who was in the starting five, 14 for Iliana Rupert and 7 for Carla Leite, both coming off the bench.

The Golden State Valkyries are fourth in the Western Conference and currently hold the conference's last playoff spot.