The Golden State Valkyries returned home on Sunday to host the Toronto Tempo for the first time, trying to end their losing streak. The first quarter featured the expected level of scoring and the Valkyries looked to be building a lead before halftime. The visitors were shorthanded, but made a push at the end of the second quarter to make it close again and took the lead early in the third quarter. The Valkyries turned to their bench again to grab the advantage back and had a more comfortable fourth quarter on their way to a 96-79 win.
The Lineup
Gabby Williams was available in this game and took her spot back in the starting lineup, allowing the team to play more of its standard rotation and keep the bench unit in together early, although she did not end up playing heavy minutes. Smallball lineups were tried briefly, but were not really a great matchup with Toronto’s size in most lineups and Kiah Stokes was the player who got the most playing time as a result, turning in an impressive +/- figure at the end. Ashten Prechtel was set as active and it will not be a surprise to see the Valkyries activating their developmental players as much as possible to maximize their salaries for the season even if they do not see the court during the games.
While Golden State got positive injury news, the same could not be said for Toronto, which did not have Marina Mabrey available. They opted not to activate developmental player Ornella Bankole for this game, leaving them with nine available players and eight in their rotation before the game was decided. Temi Fagbenle got her pregame video tribute, but did not end up being a starter in this game. Valkyries expansion draft pick Maria Conde was joined in the lineup by Julie Allemand, Kiki Rice, Laura Juskaite, and Nyara Sabally.
First Quarter
Cecilia Zandalasini scored on the first possession of the game after getting open for a jumpshot after coming off of a screen. Kiah Stokes had an impressive block and then ended getting a height mismatch in the post later for the next basket. Toronto got on the board with consecutive three-pointers, but Gabby Williams made a pair of free throws. The Tempo found some success in the paint with scores on three straight possessions, including a quick score off of a Golden State made basket while the Valkyries started connecting from long-range. Veronica Burton was first, followed by Williams, who also made a two-pointer, and then Kayla Thornton extended the lead with her first basket.
The length of time without a stoppage meant that Toronto’s timeout was the media break, which allowed the Valkyries to finally turn to their bench. The Tempo found success inside and only trailed by a point after two quick baskets. Golden State continued to shoot well from outside, getting makes from Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles. Toronto’s ability to get layups kept it close as Janelle Salaun leaked out ahead and got the pass from Hayes after a steal for the last basket of the quarter and the 25-20 lead.
Second Quarter
Toronto scored the first basket of the quarter as the Valkyries tried to maintain their momentum from distance early, but could not do so. Tiffany Hayes tried to drive next and was able to get their first points on a layup. Janelle Salaun made her first three-pointer from the corner even though the play was not perfect, but Golden State took a timeout after a defensive breakdown.
Some of the starters returned and a barrage of three-pointers followed with good passing on three straight possessions freeing up Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, and Salaun. Toronto took a timeout and avoided falling further behind when play resumed, scoring the next two baskets. Cecilia Zandalasini matched them with a pair of free throws and setting herself up for a three-pointer. Toronto closed the quarter on a 12-0 run to only trail 44-43 at the break.
Third Quarter
Having made a game of it at the end of the last quarter, Toronto missed early chances to take the lead. Kiah Stokes scored the first points by operating in the post and Veronica Burton was able to get an open lane to the basket, but the Tempo responded immediately each time. They briefly took the lead on a layup before Gabby Williams got a second chance after a Stokes offensive rebound and nailed the three-pointer from the wing. Toronto scored the next seven points before the media timeout, finding their own success beyond the arc.
The Tempo challenged the ruling on the play that led to the stoppage, but the call that awarded the rebound to the Valkyries was not changed. The bench-heavy unit had entered earlier in the quarter to try to shift momentum and they started to make their impact at this point. Janelle Salaun got the ball on the inbounds play and was able to generate an open mid-range shot that she banked in before tying the score with a three-pointer from the wing. Tiffany Hayes got the lead at the free throw line before Toronto tied it again. Stokes found herself open in the paint and got the feed from Hayes as the Tempo missed another chance to tie. Salaun converted a three-point play after a layup and made another three-pointer to build the lead more. Hayes made one free throw before Toronto’s last basket left the score at 67-61 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Tiffany Hayes continued to find success on the drive early in this quarter, getting fouled in the process of making a layup and adding the free throw. Toronto did eventually match that as the Valkyries took an early timeout before the free throw. Janelle Salaun maintained the lead with a mid-range shot and Gabby Williams did the same next. Veronica Burton briefly made it a double-digit margin again with a three-point play before a quick Tempo response. Salaun was the latest player to convert a three-point play, leading to a Toronto timeout after they fouled again.
Tiffany Hayes made two more free throws when action resumed, but the Tempo kept the game from getting out of hand. Hayes sliced into the lane for another layup and Kaitlyn Chen made her first basket with her own drive. The Valkyries continued to answer any Toronto scoring as Veronica Burton added a free throw and made a three-pointer before the shot clock expired. Kiah Stokes got open on another cut to the basket and Burton put the game away with another drive. Kaila Charles made a pair of free throws to make the lead as big as it was all game long for the final 96-79 margin.
Player of the Game
This game took on the shape of some recent wins with the bench delivering several jolts at key times and nobody embodied that more than Janelle Salaun, who gets this award for the game. She had a solid first half and then was the driving force when the team fell behind by the most points, tying the game and helping them grab the lead. She was the leading scorer and made the most three-pointers on a night where the team was successful behind the arc.
The Verdict
At the end of the day, it is expected that a playoff team would defeat a team outside of that group that is missing multiple key players. With the way that Toronto has been struggling to stop their opponents, it was also a big opportunity for the Valkyries get into flow on offense. The game did not go quite as expected, but being able to utilize depth and change up lineup combinations based on what was working helped Golden State make the key run again and get back to winning ways. They will play Toronto again on Tuesday and the Tempo could have more players available, which would certainly require the Valkyries to hold firm on defense.
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