Game Recap: Regular Season Game 9 vs Los Angeles Sparks

Monday marked the third game in five days for the Golden State Valkyries when they visited the Los Angeles Sparks. The teams have plenty of familiarity with each other now after a preseason game and two other matchups in the early going. The Valkyries had leads early in the first two quarters, but the Sparks fought back and the score was tied after the third quarter. The fourth quarter was close throughout and the game went to overtime before the Valkyries were finally able to hit a key basket in the final minute and win 89-81.

The Lineup

With Cecilia Zanadalasini away and Tiffany Hayes still injured, it was Julie Vanloo who joined Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, Janelle Salaun, and Temi Fagbenle in the lineup. Vanloo had started the last game they played in Los Angeles, but struggled before the team had the chance to try their dual point guard lineup more. Carla Leite came in early off the bench to take her place until not playing until late in the last game.

First Quarter

Janelle Salaun scored on the first Golden State possession with one of her trademark shots and then Los Angeles answered with a free throw and their own basket. The Valkyries then led for most of the quarter, finding some success inside with Temi Fagbenle as she led the team in scoring and with Monique Billings when she came in off the bench. The lead stretched to nine points with a pair of Salaun free throws right after the media timeout, but the Sparks tied the game and then took the lead on free throws before the final minute. Billings scored both of her baskets to tie the game again and then take the lead at the close of the quarter.

Second Quarter

Golden State started this quarter well too, pushing the lead to nine points again before the Sparks hit their first field goal. The quarter finished with the same pattern though as the Sparks found enough rhythm on offense while slowing down the Valkyries, allowing them to go on a 18-5 run after that initial three-minute burst. Even though the Valkyries had their share of good looks, their shooting went completely cold from everywhere in the frame and some good plays on defense prevented them from giving up the lead sooner.

Third Quarter

This quarter ended up being quite a battle with neither team being able to get much separation, leaving the score tied at 65. With the Valkyries struggling behind the arc again, Janelle Salaun was key, knocking down two long-range shots, starting when the Sparks had their biggest lead of the period. Carla Leite struggled from long range, but found more success on drives, earning her more playing time as the second half wore on while the center duo of Temi Fagbenle and Monique Billings continued to be effective against the Los Angeles post players and their similar styles.

Fourth Quarter

Golden State took the lead against first in the final quarter, but after an initial burst from both teams, neither team could score from the 4:33 mark until Janelle Salaun hit a pair of free throws with :47.5 remaining. Veronica Burton had to briefly leave the game after getting hurt, but returned in the last minute. In a low-scoring quarter from both teams, the Valkyries rebounded well and took care of the basketball to give themselves as many chances as possible.

Overtime

The overtime period continued the trend from the second half of tough baskets and no clear lead. Azura Stevens had Los Angeles scoring first with a free throw, but Veronica Burton answered with a layup and Kayla Thornton extended the lead with another basket. Kelsey Plum made another tough basket on her way to being the leading scorer, but Janelle Salaun restored the three point margin. The Sparks missed three chances to get closer or tie, allowing Kayla Thornton to hit a clutch three-pointer to make it a two-possession game. Los Angeles could not score again and Veronica Burton hit a pair of free throws for the 89-81 final margin.

The Verdict

After a massive win on Saturday, there might have been a dropoff in intensity for the Valkyries before another game two days later. The team had their trademark spirit from the start though and kept the game close when not everything was going their way. Both teams made some tough baskets on the way to overtime and Golden State managed to do what they have struggled to do a few times this season, making the plays that they needed to take the lead and close out the game. The team now has some rest before hosting the Seattle Storm on Saturday, but will also need to get some new players acclimated to the team to fill backup roles as players depart for EuroBasket.

Player of the Game

Before she departs for the French national team, Janelle Salaun picks up this award for another game. She played a team high 39 minutes in this game and led the team in scoring. When the team was struggling from beyond the arc, she had two critical makes in the third quarter in a close game and made several other critical plays down the stretch. When she leaves the team for EuroBasket, how they fill her spot at the 4 or how they backfill if they slide Kayla Thornton from the 3 to the 4 will make a huge difference in keeping up the momentum that they have right now.