The Golden State Valkyries played their last game before the All Star Break on Monday when they hosted the Washington Mystics for the second game in a row. It was another close game between the teams as the visitors took a sizable lead early in the second half. The Valkyries rallied and built their own lead in the fourth quarter, but they faded down the stretch and ended up losing 90-82. The team was close to stretching their winning streak to ten games only to now start a stretch of eight days without a game having had that run end.
The Lineup
There was no surprise player news for either team so all players on the full roster were available. The Mystics had thirteen players available after choosing to activate their lone developmental player while the Valkyries did not activate either developmental player. Both teams made some changes to their rotations based on the last game and the trajectory of this game. Washington went to their taller lineup later in the game while Golden State ended using smallball lineups for about the same length of time and their rotations tweaks came more in terms of lineup combinations.
First Quarter
The Valkyries scored on the first possession of the game when Cecilia Zandalasini made a three-pointer from the wing. The Mystics scored their first point at the free throw line and then were able to make the next two baskets before Gabby Williams caught the defense retreating and made a mid-range jumper. Washington scored again, which Veronica Burton responded to by finding an open lane to the basket for a layup. Both teams had some empty trips down the floor before the Mystics took the lead and then it was Kayla Thornton’s turn to answer after being left open in the corner. Baskets were traded again as Zandalasini set up her own jumpshot and then Burton made a three-pointer before the media timeout after a steal.
Neither team had made a substitution before the stoppage, so it was the first time that mainly bench units entered the game. The teams traded baskets in a quick flurry that saw the Mystics cut the gap to a point after a pair of three-pointers. Washington had switched to a defense with zone principles coming out of the timeout and the Valkyries did not quite capitalize on their first possession. They did successfully attack the hole in the middle of the floor next and Janelle Salaun found Kaitlyn Chen beyond the arc. Salaun was in the key spot again on the next trip down the floor and simply drove in for an open layup with the defense slow to react. Washington scored last in the quarter and it took a replay review to determine that the shot came from inside the line for the 21-20 lead.
Second Quarter
The Mystics scored the first point of the quarter at the free throw line and Kaitlyn Chen tied the score by racing in for a rebound and making the putback. She scored again after grabbing a jumpball and driving in for a layup. There was an early long stoppage as Janelle Salaun drew a foul and a replay was used to determine that it did not need to be upgraded and both teams had trouble getting back into their flow once play resumed.
Cecilia Zandalasini ended the drought with a tough jumpshot only for the Mystics to go on a quick 8-0 run. Veronica Burton drifted into the lane for a floater and Washington scored next before another cold spell ended with them taking a timeout. Kayla Thornton made another three-pointer from the corner with her defender trying to protect the paint. Gabby Williams scored next for the Valkyries and then got a steal, finding Chen leaking out ahead in anticipation of the outlet pass to take the lead back. The Mystics scored the last basket to lead 36-35.
Third Quarter
The Mystics stretched the run to 11-0 after the break with three consecutive three-pointers that even a Valkyries timeout could not stop. Gabby Williams got Golden State on the board and Veronica Burton got a steal and layup. Washington was able to score again, but Kayla Thornton made another three-pointer to give the Valkyries life. The Mystics continued scoring as bench players came in early. It was Burton who was able to lose her defender on an inbounds play for a three-pointer and another Thornton long-range shot that got the Valkyries back within a possession, leading to a Washington timeout.
Kaila Charles gave them the lead with her first basket from the top of the key. Washington did recover the advantage twice, including after one made free throw from Laeticia Amihere. The game had to be stopped for a review again after Janelle Salaun drew a foul. It was not upgraded, but a technical foul was awarded for what happened after the personal foul. She made the free throw and then made a three-pointer on the resulting possession. Kaitlyn Chen got to the foul line next and made both shots to push the lead to 58-54 at the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Laeticia Amihere made the right cut on the first possession of the quarter for an open layup as the defense collapsed to contain dribble penetration, but the Mystics responded with a pair of quick baskets. Janelle Salaun drew a foul beyond the arc and made all three free throws. Washington scored on two consecutive possessions again, but Kaitlyn Chen had an open path for a layup between them. Washington had a three-point play and a three-pointer, but Chen scored twice, including an open three-pointer, to get the lead back. Kiah Stokes made her first basket after she was left wide open in the corner before the media timeout.
Gabby Williams scored when action resumed and Chen made a putback off of her own miss for the biggest Valkyries lead. Washington scored consecutive baskets to keep the game close and then had to take a timeout as Kayla Thornton was able to convert a three-point play. They suddenly went on an 11-0 run as their closing lineup gave them better tools to contain the Golden State threats on the perimeter. The Valkyries had a solid chance even while trailing by four points as Chen got to the foul line, but she missed both shots. The run stretched to 13-0 before Salaun’s putback ended up being the last Golden State score. The Mystics made all of their free throws after being fouled to extend their game for the final margin of 90-82.
Player of the Game
The award will go to Kaitlyn Chen as she had another big scoring game off of the bench. After not getting as much playing time in the last two games, she ended up getting key minutes, including joining the closing lineup this time. While the scoring was the big news again, she also had an impressive day on the playmaking front, making her even more dangerous. The opposition has clearly treated her as a big offensive threat in the last two games and made adjustments to stop her specifically and she continues to find ways to work through it and get to her spots.
The Verdict
There was a chance that another Valkyries win could leave them right at the top of the standings ahead of the All Star Break, but this result and games elsewhere leave them in third place for now. This winning streak have moved them even more firmly into a playoff spot and now focus will shift to continuing to push as high as possible and secure homecourt advantage for as much of the postseason as they can. It did look like they might do enough to win again with a late surge, but Washington was able to find success on offense that they had not achieved in the previous meetings and keep themselves firmly in the playoff picture as well. The break will be a good time to regroup after this game and carry the lessons from the winning streak forward as well.
Leave a Reply