The Golden State Valkyries started a short road trip on Friday against the Dallas Wings. The hosts had a quick start with the Valkyries working their way back and building a solid lead by halftime. Golden State expanded on that lead early in the second half and spent most of the rest of the game with a comfortable cushion, winning 94-76 to build on their new winning streak. It was a good win against a team competing for playoff positioning ahead of a string of tough games.
The Lineup
There was no surprise player news for the Valkyries, so they ran the usual starting lineup. They ran the smallball lineup early in the game for a short stretch, but then went with more traditional lineups later. Dallas did have to make a late change with Azzi Fudd ruled out of the game. Aziaha James joined Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, Alanna Smith, and Jessica Shepard in the starting lineup. Neither team activated any developmental players for the game.
First Quarter
Dallas scored on the opening possession with a three-pointer and then repeated the feat on their next trip down the floor. Kayla Thornton got the Valkyries on the board with her own long-range shot. The Wings made free throws next before Gabby Williams drove in for a layup. Both teams had some frenetic moments and struggled to score until Veronica Burton tied the score with a three pointer and then got an open path to a layup for the lead. Dallas got back to the free throw line to tie it and then got the lead as both teams turned to their benches.
After the media timeout, the Wings got the first basket before Tiffany Hayes got to the free throw line and made one of the shots. Dallas scored again only to see Hayes answer with a layup after she grabbed an offensive rebound. Burton tied the score at the free throw line as Golden State sent the Wings back there at the other end with unsuccessfully aggressive defense. Janelle Salaun set up one of her trademark three-pointers from the corner to give the Valkyries a brief lead, which Dallas matched immediately. Kaitlyn Chen scored next for Golden State only for the tie score to not last long after more Wings free throws. Hayes made up for the foul by drawing one at the other end and sinking both free throws, getting there again on the next two possessions for four more points and the 26-21 lead.
Second Quarter
The Valkyries turned the ball over to start the quarter and gave up a layup, but got their first basket from Cecilia Zandalasini. Kaitlyn Chen got the ball after a steal and found Kaila Charles up ahead for a fast break layup. Dallas got back to the free throw line only for Charles to score again when she grabbed an offensive rebound. The Wings made a three-pointer before a Valkyries timeout as Veronica Burton returned with the rest of the starters and drove in for another layup.
Both teams hit a cold spell before Gabby Williams made a jumpshot and got fouled, converting the three-point play after a timeout. Dallas responded with a three-pointer and also made a free throw. Golden State forced a few turnovers and Williams was able to capitalize in transition before a Wings answer. She drove in for another layup and made a three-pointer after a Dallas basket for the 44-36 Valkyries lead.
Third Quarter
Kiah Stokes ended up with a height mismatch in the post on the first possession of the half and made the basket. Veronica Burton expanded the lead further with a wide open three-pointer before Dallas’s first points. Stokes was left open behind the arc next and drilled the shot. Kayla Thornton was able to time a cut for a layup, leading to a quick timeout by the Wings. When action resumed, Dallas made one free throw, but continued to miss other opportunities from there. Burton had space on one side of the floor to operate and get another layup before the Wings were able to make both free throws after another foul. The Valkyries continued to send them to the foul line, but Thornton made a three-pointer from the corner that Dallas answered. Cecilia Zandalasini also connected from long-range on the wing before reinforcements came in off of the bench ahead of a timeout.
Dallas got closer when play resumed, but Burton drove in for a tough finish to keep the Valkyries ahead. The Wings kept scoring while Janelle Salaun drove the baseline and earned a pair of free throws that she made. Kaila Charles played excellent defense and ran ahead after the miss for an open layup. She got an open look beyond the arc next that she knocked down. Laeticia Amihere got fouled and made one of the free throws, but Golden State gave up a three-point play that was only converted after her lane violation. Dallas got three points off of free throws and then Salaun got fouled and made both shots to leave the advantage at 74-58.
Fourth Quarter
The Wings made a three-pointer on the first possession of the quarter, but Janelle Salaun responded with a drive for a tough layup. Dallas scored on their next two trips down the floor to lead to some quick substitutions for the Valkyries. Gabby Williams immediately scored on a backdoor cut and made a three-pointer to force a Wings timeout. Dallas scored the next basket only for Williams to strike again with a floater and maintain the margin. The Valkyries forced a number of turnovers and eventually capitalized with a Veronica Burton three-pointer.
Dallas scored before another Valkyries timeout to make a substitution and then made another basket when play resumed. Golden State’s offense struggled, allowing the Wings to get closer with a free throw before Burton was given a clear lane to the basket and she was able to convert a three-point play. Kayla Thornton answered Dallas with another three-pointer and then Kaitlyn Chen found Kiah Stokes for a layup as the result was settled. The final Wings basket meant that the Valkyries ended up winning by a 94-76 margin.
Player of the Game
There were a number of strong performances that contributed to the win, but in terms of delivering over the course of the entire game, this award will go to Veronica Burton. She was able to drive consistently in this game to either get to the basket for layups or find open teammates. She was asked to carry a heavy load again and scored at key points to push the team forward. There were timely three-pointers and more good decisions for assists as she faced the team that she started her career with and gave up on her before she returned to the league.
The Verdict
This was a very good road win as the Valkyries were facing a team trying to rise above a crowd of teams in the bottom half of the playoff field. The victory kept the Valkyries ahead of that group with a solid gap for now. It will be a decently long trip to get to the next game, so getting the win by a comfortable enough margin to keep the minutes down for players should help them in their next test.
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