The Golden State Valkyries finished their road trip on Sunday with a game against the Las Vegas Aces, who they will also face on Wednesday when they return home. While the Valkyries were coming off of three tough wins, their opponents were completely embarrassed in a blowout loss yesterday. That quickly showed as the Aces took a big lead and Golden State just could not keep up with them. The game never ended up being competitive after the first quarter and Las Vegas cruised to a 101-77 win.
The Lineup
There was no positive injury news for the Valkyries before the game with both Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes both out. Golden State opted to make a tweak to the lineup that started the last game, going with a taller frontcourt as Iliana Rupert faced her former team. Veronica Burton, Carla Leite, Janelle Salaun, and Temi Fagbenle remained in the starting lineup. Kate Martin did make an early appearance even though she came off the bench this time and everyone played.
First Quarter
There was a shot clock violation on the first Valkyries possession, but Carla Leite opened the scoring with a tough shot. A’ja Wilson hit a three-pointer from the corner in response, but Veronica Burton scored next and then hit a three-pointer after the Aces took the lead back. Las Vegas hit consecutive baskets again after that and kept the lead for the rest of the quarter, closing on a 11-2 run for a 27-14 lead as Golden State struggled to keep pace.
Second Quarter
Carla Leite opened the scoring again in this quarter, but Las Vegas’s offensive explosion continued with the next nine points. Laetitia Amihere had six straight points as the Valkyries finally had something going, but NaLyssa Smith hit a three-pointer and the Aces hit a technical free throw. A’ja Wilson completed a three-point play before Janelle Salaun connected from distance. Jewell Loyd also made it from beyond the arc and then Salaun flagrantly fouled her and got ejected. Kierstan Bell scored at the buzzer to leave Golden State trailing 50-25 at the break.
Third Quarter
With a different lineup needed to start the second half, Kate Martin slotted in at small forward. Veronica Burton hit a three-pointer to cause Las Vegas to take an immediate timeout. Jackie Young scored twice for the Aces before Iliana Rupert was next to hit a three-pointer. Carla Leite hit four free throws and Kaila Charles took her turn beyond the arc to force another Las Vegas timeout. The Aces had no trouble scoring after that point, but the Valkyries did at least keep their rhythm and match them. Charles and Rupert each made another three-pointer and Leite continued her relentless drives with two more baskets to trail 76-50.
Fourth Quarter
Iliana Rupert and Laeticia Amihere scored the first two baskets of the quarter, but Las Vegas quickly dispelled any notions of a miracle comeback. Both teams continued to score as it became an exercise in getting to the end of the game. Kaitlyn Chen, Kaila Charles, and Laeticia Amihere all got to play the entire quarter and had good moments as the players who had played the heaviest minutes got some rest. The game ended up playing out without further incident and Las Vegas finished with a 101-77 win.
The Verdict
Finding a way to get a win against a team in the same area of the standings would have really capped off this road trip, but this would have been a hard game even without the injuries and the opposition trying to bounce back from a terrible result. It was not a surprise that Golden State just could not respond this time after trailing early. The Valkyries will get the chance to return home and rest before facing the same team again, and they will be hoping to get players back too.
Player of the Game
Even though it was a rough team performance, there were some good individual efforts. This award will go to Kaila Charles this time to recognize her immediate contributions to the team in a time when they are battling injuries and fatigue. While she continues to have some adapting to do, she has leaned on her experience to come in and play hard, taking every opportunity that she has been given. Her shooting and rebounding have been on point right away and it would be perfectly reasonable for her to be extended another contract after her first seven days pass.
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