The Golden State Valkyries hosted the Dallas Wings on Monday, knowing that a win would officially clinch a spot in the playoffs. Their opponents were trying to avoid being swept by the Valkyries and to prove themselves against a team above them in the standings. The visitors started well, but the Valkyries settled into the game and dominated the second quarter. They maintained a comfortable lead in the second half, fending off a late comeback attempt to get the 78-70 win. With a postseason spot secured, the team now focuses on seeding with some key games to close out the last section of the regular season.
The Lineup
There was good player news for the Valkyries with Janelle Salaun also being healthy enough to play after it already had been indicated that Kiah Stokes would return. The team was able to run their usual rotation in the first half and then tightened it in the second half, playing smallball lineups whenever Stokes was not on the court and also playing Veronica Burton for the entire half. The Valkyries did not activate either developmental player for this game.
Dallas also had positive player news with Jessica Shepard returning to action. She took her place in the starting lineup and the team went with a taller lineup with veteran forward Alysha Clark joining the expected group that included Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, and Alanna Smith. The Wings tried to create a height advantage at those positions and avoided their own smallball groupings throughout the game. They did activate one of their developmental players, but Haley Jones did not get to play against the team closest to her hometown.
First Quarter
Dallas made the first basket of the game from beyond the arc, but Kayla Thornton was able to answer immediately after generating space in the corner. The Wings scored the next three baskets before Veronica Burton got an open layup. Both teams struggled for the next minute as Dallas had three possessions in a row with baskets as only a Gabby Williams three-pointer keptGolden State from falling much further behind, also getting fouled before a relatively late media timeout.
Williams made both free throws when action resumed and the first substitutions came in with Tiffany Hayes getting the first bench points. Dallas scored again after seeing it become a one-possession game only for the Valkyries to tie the game. Kayla Thornton raced down the floor to get an open path to a layup and then Janelle Salaun made a three-pointer. The Wings scored one more time with the clock winding down and then Hayes had time to measure up a shot before the buzzer, choosing to launch after just crossing the halfway line to send the crowd into an early frenzy with the 20-19 lead.
Second Quarter
The momentum did not carry over early as Dallas got the first points of the quarter at the free throw line. Kaitlyn Chen got her first basket by slicing into the lane, but the Wings were able to take the lead back next. Kaila Charles was able to score next with a nice drive to set up her shot and Gabby Williams scored with some starters returning to the game. Dallas briefly made it a one-possession game before the Valkyries went on a quick 8-0 run fueled by their defense. Williams was able to pull up for another jumper, Veronica Burton made a three-pointer, and Cecilia Zandalasini’s first basket led to a timeout.
Dallas connected on a three-pointer to avoid their drought reaching three minutes, but they went scoreless for the last three minutes after that. The Valkyries caught fire from beyond the arc to start their 11-0 run with three consecutive makes. Zandalasini scored again before Burton got open on the wing and at the top of the key to force a second Wings timeout. Williams got herself one more jumper at the foul line to build the lead to 44-28 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Wings scored the first two baskets of the quarter to get back in the game as Gabby Williams got the Valkyries on the board with a three-pointer. She answered the next Dallas basket as well, but the Wings were able to get points from two trips to the free throw line. Tiffany Hayes scored the last basket before the media timeout as she once again had time to measure up the three-pointer from the spot that she wanted with perfect timing.
After making free throws and a three-pointer, Dallas had cut the margin to single digits before Williams once again drove to a good spot for her mid-range jumper. The Valkyries closed the quarter on an 8-0 run, starting with Janelle Salaun generating the type of three-pointer that she wanted. Hayes drove into the lane and got an open layup before Kaila Charles got an open putback on the offensive glass and added a free throw for the 62-46 advantage.
Fourth Quarter
The Golden State run stretched to 12-0 with early baskets from Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaun. Dallas answered with two baskets of their own that led to an early Valkyries timeout and then got their own run to 9-0 as Golden State went nearly half of the quarter without scoring. Another timeout did not help much, but Gabby Williams did eventually break the drought with a three-pointer.
The Wings had a 6-0 run, but were made to work hard enough that time was running out and opted to start fouling to extend the game at that point. The teams traded scoring as the Valkyries made nine out of the ten free throws that they were awarded. Burton missed one while making her other pair and there were also perfect trips from Kayla Thornton, Williams, and Salaun for the final 78-70 margin.
Player of the Game
The award goes to Gabby Williams for this game after a tremendous effort on both sides of the floor. She led the team in scoring, including baskets at a number of critical junctures in the game. She also led the team in rebounding and spearheaded the defense with four steals. Dallas is one of the opponents whose lineups make it make sense for her to have the primary defensive assignment on their main ballhandler. She played heavy minutes in that role to disrupt their offense and help the Valkyries build their lead.
The Verdict
It was another good win for the Valkyries against a team gearing up for the postseason and the ability to clinch a playoff spot after a home win is always a boost. While there were more tight moments in the fourth quarter, the team was able to maintain their lead and prevent the opposition from having a real shot at the comeback. The Valkyries had a very tough stretch before break and will be looking for a capstone win to continue their streak before a difficult road trip.
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