The Golden State Valkyries started the regular season on Friday night by visiting the Seattle Storm. Even though the teams met in the preseason, there were big differences in the lineups with final rosters set even as both sides were still waiting for players to join them later in the season. The hosts are not expected to compete for the playoffs this season, but they did have a strong start in this game. The Valkyries were able to generate the shots that they wanted on offense and take the lead, starting the second half well on their way to a 91-80 win.
The Lineup
The WNBA quickly approved the Valkyries being able to sign a replacement player with Iliana Rupert missing the season and they were able to bring in Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda before the game. All of the details regarding the rules for replacement players are not clear yet, but there are no indications that they are significantly different than previous seasons. She may not ultimately hold that spot all season long, but it made sense to quickly bring in a player who was already familiar with the team until more decisions can be made.
Gabby Williams was the only new player in the starting lineup compared to the preseason game, joining Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, and Kiah Stokes. Seattle started with Natisha Hiedeman, Flau’jae Johnson, Jordan Horston, Dominique Malonga, and Stefanie Dolson. Janelle Salaun replaced Tiffany Hayes in the group that started the second half. Miela Sowah was set as active for this game, so it does count toward the developmental player limit and all available players ended up getting into the game.
First Quarter
It was not exactly the opening play that Valkyries fans wanted to see when Flau’jae Johnson made a three-pointer for Seattle. Golden State got their first points when Gabby Williams made two out of three free throws after being fouled on a closeout, but they could not add on from the resulting possession. After struggling from the field and another Storm three-pointer, Tiffany Hayes made a free throw before Kayla Thornton was able to connect from long-range. Seattle scored the next five points and then won a replay review to get another free throw.
Cecilia Zandalasini scored after entering the game during the media timeout and Laeticia Amihere scored on her first attempt after entering the game. Veronica Burton answered a Seattle three-pointer with her own, but the Storm continued to make their long-distance shots before Zandalasini could answer again. Janelle Salaun was next beyond the arc after being the fourth player to come off the bench. Zandalasini was flagrantly fouled, getting hit in the face after making a pass, hitting one free throw, and Salaun made a very strongly contested three-pointer before Seattle finally missed from there. The Valkyries had two chances to take the lead before the end of the quarter, but trailed 24-23 at the end of the frame.
Second Quarter
Janelle Salaun was fouled on the first possession of the quarter and made a free throw to tie the score before Cecilia Zandalasini gave the Valkyries their first lead. Seattle got it back with a three-point play before Veronica Burton scored. Kaila Charles made her first basket with a corner three, but the Storm responded immediately before Burton stepped out well beyond the arc with another impressive make. Kayla Thornton was next in the corner before the media timeout.
Kiah Stokes scored on the first play after the stoppage for her first basket with the team. Veronica Burton converted a three-point play, but Seattle scored after Golden State failed to secure a rebound twice, prompting a timeout. Laeticia Amihere just managed to draw a foul before the shot clock expired and made a free throw and then Burton made two with the Valkyries in the bonus. Kayla Thornton made a three-pointer and then a steal at the end of the half gave Burton another free throw for the 49-41 halftime lead.
Third Quarter
Seattle scored first in the second half, but Gabby Williams got the Valkyries on the board. Veronica Burton made a tough basket after a great block by Kiah Stokes and Williams made a three-pointer from the corner for the first double-digit lead. Kaitlyn Chen saw action early in the quarter and scored her first baskets with impressive consecutive finishes. Kayla Thornton secured a rebound and drew a foul right before the shot clock expired before the media timeout.
Both free throws were made after the break and Janelle Salaun scored the next basket before Seattle stopped the run. Kayla Thornton scored again after an excellent cut gave her an open path. Kaitlyn Chen made an open three pointer to push the lead back up after Seattle made a few good plays. The Storm had another successful replay challenge, but could not score on the resulting possession and neither team had any luck in the final minute, leaving the lead at 69-53 for Golden State heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Kaitlyn Chen successfully attacked the basket again to score the first points of this quarter and then answered a Seattle three-pointer with her own. After an early timeout, the Storm cut into the lead, but Kiah Stokes found good matchups in the post on consecutive possessions for easy baskets. Janelle Salaun connected on three-pointers on consecutive possessions even as Seattle started finding ways to score and then made it three to briefly push the lead to twenty points. The Storm had a bit of momentum after the final media timeout, but it was Salaun again with a basket. Chen made two free throws to silence the crowd before a couple more Seattle points left the Valkyries’ final winning margin at 91-80. Miela Sowah and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda also got to make their WNBA debuts.
Player of the Game
After starting for nearly every game that she was available last season, Janelle Salaun came off the bench for the opener, but quickly brought her usual energy to the team. Her two early three-pointers kept the game close as Seattle had a strong start on offense and she continued to contribute effective minutes when she started in the second half. Her big scoring run in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach and she finished as the team’s leading scorer.
The Verdict
A game against Seattle was expected to be a good matchup to start the season and the Valkyries delivered with a win that gave a number of players the chance to step up and deliver. The team is clearly still trying to figure out the best rotations given how many players can occupy spots two through four in the lineup, but there will be many people who can contribute when needed. Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini did not return from first half injuries, which could leave the team even more shorthanded for the upcoming home opener.
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