The Golden State Valkyries hosted the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday, looking to get their first ever win over the visitors while getting ready to head out on the road. They did not find the rhythm that they had enjoyed during their winning streak early in this game, falling behind by significant margins before halftime. The second half did start well either, but the team did make one push late to make it closer before losing 77-66.
The Lineup
Neither team had any surprise player news so they had their rosters available and did not activate any developmental players. The Valkyries only played nine players in the first half, opting to immediately go to smallball lineups, covering the gaps in minutes by going even smaller, including significant time with Janelle Salaun at center and either Gabby Williams or Kaila Charles at power forward. The rotation got tighter in the second half, meaning heavy minutes for some players. Minnesota did try their own smallball lineup, but mostly countered by going to taller lineups.
First Quarter
Minnesota scored the first basket of the game before Veronica Burton pushed the ball up the floor quickly to earn a pair of free throws that she made. The Lynx scored on two consecutive possessions before Cecilia Zandalasini made the first Valkyries field goal by operating out of a height mismatch. Golden State was not finding their offensive flow, but Kayla Thornton kept them within a point twice, making an open three-pointer and driving in for a layup.
Minnesota scored the last two baskets before a relatively late media timeout and then scored again as both teams went to their bench. Tiffany Hayes came in to earn a pair of free throws, which the Lynx answered. Gabby Williams got her first points by stealing a pass and then taking it all the way herself for the layup. Minnesota scored the last three points of the quarter to lead 21-13.
Second Quarter
Minnesota scored five points quickly to start this quarter, leading to a Valkyries timeout, extending their run 10-0 before Veronica Burton made a three-pointer. She answered the next Lynx basket with a pair of free throws, but Golden State continued to struggle from the field and fell further behind. Kiah Stokes tipped in another tough miss before the last media timeout of the half. The Lynx made two more three-pointers, but Tiffany Hayes made three layups to keep the margin at 41-26 even with the outside shots not falling.
Third Quarter
It was an early run for the Lynx again with three baskets on consecutive possessions leading to a Valkyries timeout. Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini floated into the lane for baskets, but Minnesota’s lead still grew to its largest point. Bench players returned with Janelle Salaun getting her first basket on a tough drive into the paint and then there was a stoppage when the Lynx successfully challenged an incorrect out-of-bounds call.
Golden State had a great defensive quarter, limiting the opposition to one basket in the final six minutes. Burton got them closer with a three-pointer and Zandalasini got to the foul line to add a point. Salaun was next to connect from beyond the arc and then another review was needed when Tiffany Hayes drew an offensive foul and there was a check to see if it needed to be upgraded, which did not end up happening. The Valkyries missed some more opportunities to get it closer, but Burton made a layup to leave them trailing 54-39.
Fourth Quarter
Janelle Salaun got a second chance at a three-pointer on the first possession, knocking it down and then adding a free throw on the next trip down the floor to make a single-digit game again. Her fast break layup after a great defensive stand with only four players prompted an early Minnesota timeout. The Lynx finally got on the board, but it was Tiffany Hayes’s turn to respond with a layup. Two more baskets for Minnesota led to a Valkyries timeout.
Gabby Williams completed a three-point play and Cecilia Zandalasini answered a basket with her first make from distance after some tough misses. The offense finally got in rhythm with baskets from Salaun, Hayes, and Williams, but the defense was not getting the stops to help them edge closer. A Minnesota three-pointer led to a Golden State timeout after which a Williams long-range shot and a Salaun putback of the next miss gave them some hope. Those ended up being the last field goals as Minnesota made three free throws after fouls to extend the game for the final 74-66 margin.
Player of the Game
The award goes to Veronica Burton for her contributions over the course of the game. On a tough night for shooting overall, she was consistent and chipped in multiple times when the team needed somebody to keep them in the game. She also delivered her usual playmaking even with shots not falling for the whole squad and also played a big role for the perimeter defense. It was another game where she ended up playing significant minutes, which will certainly be needed in the playoffs, but the hope will be she can continue to get some rest in the next games.
The Verdict
This was going to another tough game, but also a real measurement opportunity to see where the team stacked up against a legitimate championship contender before the playoffs. The first half was tough and left little room to mount a comeback even as the defense tightened up and the offense finally found something. There will be another test against Minnesota on Monday, but the team needs to regroup quickly again with holding seeding becoming the focus instead of trying to climb up during this road trip before the World Cup break.
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