The Golden State Valkyries started a difficult road trip on Thursday with a trip to Minneapolis as they looked for their first ever win against the Minnesota Lynx. They had the lead for more of the game, but hit an offensive drought at a tough time in the fourth quarter. Golden State had a chance to tie the game at the end, but lost 87-84 and missed their latest chance against a team that has been tough against them so far.
The Lineup
Neither team made any changes to their starting lineups for this game and none of the developmental players were set as active. There was no late injury news for the teams either. The Valkyries kept their rotation the same as the last game and the Lynx ended up mostly matching them in running smallball lineups frequently. With the emphasis on those lineups, Golden State tried a few combinations that have not been seen before when it came to sliding a wing over to power forward.
First Quarter
Cecilia Zandalasini opened the scoring against her former team with two free throws after both teams missed their first shots. Minnesota responded with a three-pointer and a mid-range jumper, but Gabby Williams made a tough layup to tie the score. The Lynx ended with multiple chances on one possession, exchanging three-pointers with Kayla Thornton and then Zandalasini. Both teams cooled off a bit before one more Minnesota basket heading into the media timeout.
The Valkyries made their first substitutions after the stoppage and Janelle Salaun was able to make a three-pointer while playing the smallball center role. Zandalasini fired away again from the wing to give Golden State the lead and Kaitlyn Chen banked in a three-pointer from the opposite side. Minnesota ended the run and the Valkyries called a timeout. The Lynx scored again, but Tiffany Hayes got into the act from beyond the arc for a 22-18 lead at the end of the frame.
Second Quarter
Kaitlyn Chen opened the scoring in this quarter, but Minnesota was able to answer by using their height advantage and then had their turn from long-range. Tiffany Hayes had a good finish driving for a layup and then found Janelle Salaun for a three-pointer that the Lynx answered. Olivia Miles continued to be the star for the hosts, giving them the lead before Veronica Burton tied the score again with free throws. The Valkyries continued to struggle with fouls, putting their opponents in the bonus by the media timeout. After the Lynx free throws, Hayes drove for another layup and Burton ran out in transition to restore the lead and force a Minnesota timeout.
The Lynx responded with their own bankshot three-pointer and forced a turnover for a quick score as Gabby Williams tied the score beyond the arc after a good Valkyries defensive play. Kiah Stokes was able to get an open layup with a size advantage after Minnesota moved to their smaller lineup and then Kayla Thornton also scored in the paint. Golden State sent their opponents to the free throw line twice to leave the score tied. Thornton had a putback as both teams hit the offensive boards, giving the Valkyries the 44-42 halftime lead.
Third Quarter
Kiah Stokes made a three-pointer from the corner to open the scoring in the half and then made a layup after the Lynx responded. Veronica Burton scored next and then Gabby Williams raced down the floor after grabbing a rebound to find Kayla Thornton for a layup attempt that resulted in two free throws. Minnesota kept pace, but Burton made a nifty runner before the media timeout.
The Lynx scored after the pause only to see Janelle Salaun make a highly contested three-pointer. Tiffany Hayes scored between an easy basket for the Lynx after a rebound and another Olivia Miles three-pointer, which left the lead at one point and led to a Valkyries timeout. Salaun answered by somehow getting open again and then was left completely unguarded for another make, unfortunately getting whistled for a technical foul in celebration. Minnesota was able to get some momentum back, scoring twice to only trail 66-65 heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Janelle Salaun continued her scoring streak, this time driving in for a layup and the Valkyries had a great play to generate a good look on the next possession, but could not convert. Free throws helped the Lynx and then Cecilia Zandalasini was able to come up with a loose ball and make a quick jumper in the paint. Golden State missed another chance to make it a two-possession game allowing Minnesota to tie a score before Tiffany Hayes made a layup. Zandalasini made a very difficult three-pointer which the Lynx answered and then they tied the score despite a terrific chasedown block by Veronica Burton.
A foul call sent the game to a media timeout as the Valkyries challenged it unsuccessfully, giving the Lynx the lead when they scored on the resulting possession. A Golden State drought let the Minnesota run continue to 11-0 before Zandalasini isolated her defender and set up the three-pointer that she wanted. The Lynx answered, but Hayes earned a pair of free throws and Zandalasini was next to the line after a replay challenge was unsuccessful. Minnesota made it a two-possession game again before a quick Hayes layup. Golden State opted to defend and got the initial stop only to not secure the rebound and need to foul. Only one free throw was made, but an inadvertent whistle before the either team could grab the rebound and call timeout meant a jumpball. The Valkyries were able to secure the tip and call their timeout, missing the tying three-point attempt.
Player of the Game
The award for this game will go to Janelle Salaun after another big outing. After a good start to the season, she hit a bit of a slump, but she has become the player who can make the same level of impact as she did last season again. She had another good scoring game and lead the team in three-point makes. The smallball lineups of recent games have pushed her more into the center role and she has had to adjust to those responsibilities while dealing with guarding significantly taller players and this might have been the best fit for her there yet.
The Verdict
Golden State played well enough to nearly pull off a big road win and end all of the frustration from losses to Minnesota last year. Unfortunately, they let the Lynx get the game to within a point at the end of the third quarter after finally getting some breathing room. Missing scoring opportunities at the most important moments led to an offensive drought that gave their opponents just enough chances to take the lead again and hold onto it even after they recovered. There will be no time to dwell on the defeat as they have a quick turnaround for a Saturday noon rematch in Las Vegas.
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