The Golden State Valkyries continued their homestand on Thursday by hosting the Dallas Wings, knowing that a win would clinch a playoff berth for the team in their first season. Their opponents were in last place, but had gotten healthier since their last game, helping them get the better start. The Valkyries struggled all night long, but fought back a couple different times and seized the lead when it mattered late, holding on for the 84-80 win to make history.
The Lineup
There was no other player news for the Valkyries as Cecilia Zandalasini remained on the sidelines. The same starting lineup was used as Liz Kitley joined the team, but ended up being the only healthy player who did not play. Dallas had a ton of player news to sort through though as they were finally able to field ten players. That meant that they actually needed to have one less player under contract so Serena Sundell was not retained. Haley Jones was able to return and take her place back in the starting lineup while Aziaha James came off the bench in her return.
First Quarter
This game started poorly for the Valkyries after Maddy Siegrist scored the first two baskets and then Paige Bueckers made it three straight possessions with baskets to open proceedings. The early deficit caused the Valkyries to take an early timeout, but it did not get better with Haley Jones banking in a three-pointer. Golden State finally scored when Veronica Burton made consecutive layups and Monique Billings scored immediately after coming off of the bench. The Valkyries were still struggling, but the bench helped while the Dallas starters got them the lead as Kate Martin was fouled and made three free throws, Carla Leite made a layup, and then Martin connected this time from beyond the arc. Temi Fagbenle returned and completed a three-point play to give the Valkyries the lead and then Billings scored the final points. The Wings did get a three-pointer from Aziaha James off the bench and a final free throw to trail 21-20 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
Myisha Hines-Allen scored again to open this quarter, but Carla Leite made a free throw followed by a Janelle Salaun basket and an Iliana Rupert three-pointer to restore the Valkyries lead. Rupert scored again, but Dallas had an 11-2 run overall capped off by an offensive foul committed by Veronica Burton that was upgraded to a flagrant foul, resulting in free throws for Amy Okonkwo. Salaun completed a three-point play, but those ended up being the last points for Golden State in the half as the Wings scored the last eight points for a 41-32 lead at the break.
Third Quarter
After a fantastic first half, Haley Jones started this quarter by making two free throws. Temi Fagbenle opened the scoring for Golden State, but Paige Bueckers made consecutive baskets for the biggest Dallas lead. Iliana Rupert hit a three-pointer to get the Valkyries closer, but it was Maddy Siegrist’s turn to get two baskets for the Wings. Monique Billings returned to the game quickly and scored on her first attempt again followed by a Veronica Burton layup and a difficult floater made by Carla Leite. Dallas kept their lead, but Janelle Salaun and Kate Martin made three-pointers and Leite made another floater to keep the Valkyries close. Leite, Salaun, and Billings each scored again late to only trail 62-58.
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter started well for the Valkyries as Carla Leite made two free throws and Janelle Salaun made a three-pointer to give them the lead. Myisha Hines-Allen made free throws to give Dallas the lead back, but Leite answered immediately only for Aziaha James to respond. Paige Bueckers extended the Wings lead, but another Salaun three-pointer tied the score. Iliana Rupert got the lead back, but Haley Jones tied the score again before a Veronica Burton layup. Bueckers completed a three-point play, but Salaun was able to tie the game at the free throw line and Leite made a shot for the lead. Golden State upped the defensive intensity, but could not score either, finally getting a key three-point play from Burton to end a two-minute period without any scoring. Bueckers ended Dallas’s three-minute drought as part of scoring their last nine points, but Salaun made one free throw and Burton made four to seal the game with an 84-80 final margin.
The Verdict
This was always going to be a tough game despite Dallas’s record as the Valkyries knew that a historic moment was on the line and wanted to deliver in front of their home fans. Unlike some of the recent games that saw the Valkyries take a big lead and need to hold on at the end, they had to fight back from multiple deficits and made the big plays down the stretch to secure the win. After the win, Golden State immediately announced that their first playoff game will be played in San Jose instead, which is expected to be a 6:30 game on either September 16th or 17th.
Player of the Game
A number of players made key contributions to secure this win, but the bench ended up helping complete the comeback during some critical stretches and this award will go to Monique Billings from the group. She came in early off of the bench and helped the Valkyries go from trailing to leading by the end of the first quarter. She returned early in the second half for heavy minutes, including to close out the game. Having the ability to have another veteran post option is big for the team after they had to scramble against taller opponents while she was injured as her impact on both the offensive and defensive ends were felt in this game. While the basketball skills of different lineups is important, the meshing of personalities is also key and can be impacted by a player being out for a game. This was a time when her intensity was needed by the team after a tough start to the game.
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