The Golden State Valkyries finished the regular season on Thursday with a game against the Minnesota Lynx. A win would allow the team to keep their seed while a loss would drop them down to the last playoff place and an immediate rematch against the Lynx. The Valkyries struggled find ways to score early, but their defense kept them close heading into the final quarter. Minnesota showed their quality in that final frame though, putting the game out of reach quickly and winning 72-53.
First Quarter
Temi Fagbenle opened the scoring in this game and then Napheesa Collier, who was rested in Minnesota’s last game, responded on the other end. Kayla McBride gave the Lynx the lead, but Kaila Charles answered for the Valkyries. Courtney Williams scored before both teams had misses and then Veronica Burton tied the game again. Collier made the first three-pointer of the game and then hit again on the next possession before the media timeout.
Neither team could get going after the stoppage as Cecilia Zandalasini was the first substitute. Charles finally ended the drought, but Jessica Shepard scored after that. The Valkyries picked up offensive fouls on consecutive possessions so Natisha Hiedeman’s three-pointer had Minnesota more than doubling the Golden State point total. Monique Billings entered the game for the final minute of the quarter as neither team scored, leaving the deficit at 17-8.
Second Quarter
Jessica Shepard opened the scoring in this quarter and then Maria Kliundikova scored, but she fouled Monique Billings and the Valkyries scored their first points on free throws. Carla Leite entered the game next and Cecilia Zandalasini made her first basket since returning. Minnesota committed a foul before the ball was inbounded so Veronica Burton got a free throw and made it, but the Lynx defended the ensuing possession and got a layup from Natisha Hiedeman. Temi Fagbenle made a shot right before the shot clock expired and Zandalasini scored again after that. Courtney Williams made a layup and Golden State took the timeout for the media break.
Kayla McBride extended the Lynx lead after the stoppage with a three-pointer, but Fagbenle was able to get the next basket. Leite came up with a steal and got fouled, which was ruled to be a Transition Take foul, so Zandalasini was able to hit a free throw, but Williams stole the ball on the resulting possession and got a transition layup to force another timeout. Kaila Charles scored on the next possession, but Napheesa Collier responded immediately. Fagbenle battled in the post for a basket, but Collier kept the lead from falling to single digits, ending up ahead 34-22.
Third Quarter
The second half started with Kayla McBride being whistled for a technical foul after suggesting that Janelle Salaun was flopping and Veronica Burton made the free throw. Napheesa Collier made another three-pointer, but Burton got two more free throws before another Collier basket. Kaila Charles made a layup after a nice drive before Salaun was fouled and split her free throws. Cecilia Zandalasini kept the run going and Salaun made more free throws before Iliana Rupert forced a Lynx timeout after her first basket.
Minnesota scored after going four minutes without a point courtesy of a three-point play from Jessica Shepard. Shooting continued to be a struggle for the Valkyries, but Zandalasini was able to make a free throw before Natisha Hiedeman stretched the Lynx lead back to double-digits with a three-pointer, leading to a Golden State timeout. Rupert finally got the Valkyries on the board from beyond the arc with two consecutive makes that made it close again. Hiedeman scored what ended up being the final basket of the quarter on a putback for a 47-41 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Natisha Hiedeman opened the scoring in this quarter on another tough make and Minnesota ended up scoring the first twelve points with a three-pointer from Kayla McBride and then more damage from Hiedeman for the rest of the baskets. An early timeout did nothing to stem the tide and Iliana Rupert left the game after trying to recover from a fall. Veronica Burton finally got the first Valkyries basket with free throws from Hiedeman and a basket from Napheesa Collier. Janelle Salaun scored right before the midway point of the quarter, but both teams started to empty their benches as the margin grew.
Kate Martin, Laeticia Amihere, and Kaitlyn Chen entered the game for the first time as Jessica Sheppard kept going to the free throw line to keep the Lynx lead steady. Amihere made her first shot to make it a slightly less statistically terrible night from distance. Shepard scored again and then Monique Billings made a layup. Bridget Carleton, the only Lynx starter still in the game, made a three-pointer for her first basket. Carla Leite scored her first point on a free throw and then Billings made the next field goal. Jaylyn Sherrod came off the bench for Minnesota and made a layup for the final 72-53 scoreline.
The Verdict
This was going to be another tough game with Minnesota clearly trying to get a win to set up the playoff bracket in the way that they felt would be most favorable to them. The struggles on offense had the Valkyries trailing quickly after a day of travel on a final road trip. Golden State’s defense allowed them to get back into the picture with a few baskets, but the Lynx made another second half run to seal the game. The team can now stay in Minneapolis for Sunday’s game before returning home for the second game of the playoffs in San Jose.
Player of the Game
This was a tough game across the board for the team with lots of struggles on offense even as they battled on both ends. The award will go to Veronica Burton as she continued to contribute as many ways as possible even with her shot not falling. She once again led the team with playmaking to get her season average above six assists per game. Defense kept the Valkyries close and she had five steals on the night. With how many minutes she has been playing, the last few minutes of rest at least gave her more of a break before she will be relied upon again in the playoffs.
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