The Golden State Valkyries had a big game on Saturday, hosting the Los Angeles Sparks in a battle of two teams tied for the last playoff spot. Neither team had late player news so they played their expected lineups and tightened up their rotations for the encounter. The Valkyries built a lead and used a tremendous defensive effort to keep the opposing stars in check. That strong defense put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter and Golden State got an important 72-59 win.
First Quarter
Cecilia Zandalasini opened the scoring for the Valkyries and then answered a Sparks three-pointer with her own. Los Angeles hit another three-pointer, but it was Janelle Salaun’s turn to respond. Tiffany Hayes was next to restore the lead after the Sparks connected from deep and Salaun scored again before the defenses got some stops. Los Angeles tied the score with another make from distance, but Temi Fagbenle scored before both teams finally made substitutions for the end of the quarter. Veronica Burton extended the lead as the Valkyries tried to keep pace beyond the arc and Carla Leite hit two free throws after being fouled by Julie Vanloo for a 19-14 Golden State lead at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
Veronica Burton hit a three-pointer to open the scoring in the quarter, but the offense slowed down and the Sparks scored the next two baskets before Cecilia Zandalasini broke the drought with three consecutive three-pointers. Temi Fagbenle scored next to give the Valkyries their largest lead at twelve points and the defense continued to stifle Los Angeles for 33-23 lead at halftime.
Third Quarter
Kelsey Plum was held scoreless in the first half despite being the leading scorer for Los Angeles, but opened the scoring with a pair of free throws and then hit her first field goal before Dearica Hamby also scored her first basket of the game to force an early Valkyries timeout. Veronica Burton converted a three-point play after that stoppage for the first Golden State points. The teams started to trade baskets, but the Sparks were able to cut their deficit down to two points. Iliana Rupert, who had gotten some good pick-and-pop opportunities but missed them, got a three-pointer to fall and then assisted on a Burton make, helping the Valkyries lead 56-48.
Fourth Quarter
Neither team scored early, but Carla Leite had the first basket to give the Valkyries a double-digit lead again. The Sparks finally got on the board with a three-pointer, but Temi Fagbenle scored a tough basket inside and Janelle Salaun hit a three-pointer to push the lead back out again. Leite scored again, both from distance and on a layup, to finish the 10-0 run. Los Angeles did score, but Veronica Burton was flagrantly fouled, allowing Golden State to have a four-point possession and the Sparks emptied their bench early after the media timeout. After that point, Los Angeles did close the game with a 6-0 run for the final 72-59 margin.
The Verdict
Even though the Valkyries have played a number of teams higher up the standings recently, this game was a major test in a different way with Los Angeles’s recent winning streaks. Facing an offense that has been explosive recently, the Valkyries were able to play the kind of defense that they wanted, scoring enough to make the margin comfortable and getting the win. The victory not only helped them open a gap in the race for the last playoff spot, but also allowed them to secure the tiebreaker against the Sparks if it comes into play at the end of the season.
Player of the Game
There were a number of strong performances to seal this win, but the award will go to Cecilia Zandalasini this time. As excellent as the defense was in the first half, the Valkyries did also have struggles on offense at times. She stepped up in the second quarter, scoring nine of the team’s fourteen points after scoring five points in the first quarter. While she did not score in the second half, she continued to contribute on the defensive end, delivering two impressive blocks after a pair of steals in the first half. Long-range shooting will continue to be a need for the Valkyries and her return to the lineup will give them a key option there.
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