The Golden State Valkyries visited the Seattle Storm on Tuesday with both teams looking to grab the sixth seed in the playoffs. The Valkyries did not get the right result in the earlier game between Minnesota and Indiana so their seeding was still not locked in while Seattle was also looking to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Golden State took the lead several times, but the Storm continued to fight back with much more at stake as Los Angeles defeated Phoenix. Seattle scored the first ten points of the fourth quarter, but Valkyries did take back the lead, falling just short 74-73. The Valkyries must win their finale in Minnesota on Thursday to avoid an immediate rematch against the top seed in the playoffs.
First Quarter
Nneka Ogwumike scored the first basket of the game, but Veronica Burton responded with a layup on an excellent playcall to open the scoring for the Valkyries. Seattle was able to take the lead on free throws, but Kaila Charles tied it up again before surrendering more free throws. Temi Fagbenle responded next with a three-pointer from the corner and made a nifty move in the paint for another basket. Charles made the first two Golden State free throws, then Janelle Salaun extended the lead on an inbounds play, and Rupert hit a three-pointer on an impressive find by Burton before the shot clock expired.
After the media timeout, Charles made more free throws and Carla Leite nearly came up with the ball after a steal as the first player off of the bench, but the call was overturned on review. Kate Martin entered the game next and also started with a strong defensive possession. Monique Billings and Cecilia Zandalasini substituted in at the same time with the latter returning from injury, but was unable to get a shot off on her first possession and then missed badly on her first attempt. The defense continued to limit the Storm as they only managed one basket in the second half of the quarter, meaning that the Valkyries still led 18-12 despite not scoring for more than three minutes.
Second Quarter
Gabby Williams scored the first basket of this quarter as both teams were looking to get into a rhythm on offense. Temi Fagbenle ended the drought for the Valkyries after a nice pass from Carla Leite, but Erica Wheeler brought the Storm within a possession with a three-pointer. Golden State took an early timeout, but could not generate a shot before the shot clock buzzer sounded despite getting some starters back in the game and Ezi Magbegor tied the score with a three-pointer. Nneka Ogwumike missed from beyond the arc, but grabbed her own rebound and made a free throw to give Seattle the lead. Kaila Charles immediately answered with a three-point play and then Seattle had to take a timeout when Williams was hurt.
Young Dominique Malonga was having an excellent half for Seattle, tying the score after the stoppage and then Skylar Diggins gave them the lead after a tough shot. Charles responded again with a three-pointer, but Brittney Sykes scored next after rebounding her own miss. Veronica Burton converted a three-point play and Salaun connected from beyond the arc to make it a two-possession lead again. Seattle scored the next four points, but Temi Fagbenle took advantage of a mismatch in the post to score. The Storm responded, but then committed a foul on Burton right before the end of the half and she made both free throws for a 36-33 Valkyries lead.
Third Quarter
Janelle Salaun made the first basket of the half with the shot clock running down, but Skylar Diggins responded with a three-point play. Temi Fagbenle continued to find success in the paint and Salaun made one free throw followed by a three-pointer to keep the strong offensive start going. Fagbenle was fouled after securing an offensive rebound and made a free throw, but Seattle kept pushing back, getting plays on both ends from Dominique Malonga to trim their deficit to a basket, forcing a Golden State timeout.
Nneka Ogwumike tied the game after a turnover following the stoppage, but Veronica Burton was able to recover the lead. Brittney Sykes tied the game at the free throw line and the Erica Wheeler gave the Storm the lead with a three-pointer. Janelle Salaun answered immediately and then hit again from the corner to make Seattle use a timeout. After a great defensive play by Fagbenle, Monique Billings got a three-pointer to fall from the corner with a helpful bounce off of the backboard. Burton extended the lead as the run stretched to double-digits and then Billings scored again. Ezi Magbegor ended it with a three-pointer, but Burton was able to the free throw line and make one for a 61-53 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Brittney Sykes scored the first basket of the final quarter and then Erica Wheeler made a three-pointer from the corner to force a quick Valkyries timeout. Nneka Ogwumike was the first to score after the stoppage and then Wheeler gave the Storm the lead from the other corner. Janelle Salaun finally got Golden State on the board and tied the score, but Sykes was able to get to the free throw line and sink both for the lead again. Veronica Burton was somehow able to get a completely free lane to the basket and then drew an offensive foul. Both teams missed chances to take the lead before Sykes scored again and had the Valkyries take a timeout.
Neither team could score right after the stoppage, but it was Salaun coming through again with a big three-pointer to take the lead back. Wheeler responded again from beyond the arc, but Temi Fagbenle attacked in the paint again to tie the score. Skylar Diggins missed what would have been a tough layup, but got the rebound and made one free throw after getting fouled. Ogwumike was fouled trying to secure the rebound when the Valkyries missed on their next possession, but could only split the free throws. Iliana Rupert returned to the game after a timeout and was inexplicably left open on the wing to suddenly give Golden State the lead again. Erica Wheeler scored for Seattle after they missed their initial shot after a timeout. Janelle Salaun had a couple of chances after the reset timeout, but the Storm secured the final rebound and got the 74-73 win.
The Verdict
This was the second straight game that played out like a playoff meeting with shortened rotations and second half tactical battles. The Valkyries came up short again even though they had decent chances to escape with a win at the end. The loss hurts with a big opportunity slipping away, but they must quickly prepare for the last game of the regular season and then the playoffs after that. It is unclear whether Minnesota will go all-out in the final game since they can have a say in their playoff opponents based on the outcome of the game.
Player of the Game
The choice for the award this time was not difficult with Janelle Salaun having an excellent offensive game, making key baskets throughout. In a game where her teammates struggled from beyond the arc, she made half of the team’s long-range baskets on an incredible percentage. She was trusted to try to find a way to score the final basket to try to steal the win and came close to being able to get the job done. With her recent shooting streak, she has become a more consistent and dangerous offensive weapon for teams to try to stop and will play a critical role in the upcoming playoff games.
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