The Golden State Valkyries started a three-game homestand on Wednesday by hosting the Chicago Sky. The team ended up missing two rotation players and had to figure out how to play best without them early. They started to hit their stride before halftime and carried that momentum into the second half, getting the 91-71 win. It was a solid victory against a team that is not likely to make the playoffs as their next two opponents are teams that are gearing up for the postseason now.
The Lineup
Janelle Salaun ended up being ruled out along with Kiah Stokes for this game. Laeticia Amihere became the starting center in place of Stokes and Ashten Prechtel was set as active for this game, playing the backup center minutes. The Valkyries did not add a tenth player to the rotation to replace Salaun, instead juggling the minutes of players to cover for her absence. That change required Kaila Charles to slide over to power forward, especially in smallball lineups, a role that she is used to filling, but has not been relied upon for this year. Miela Sowah was not activated and Chicago did not activate Maddy Westbeld with no surprise player news on their side. The result being decided early meant that all available players got time on the court.
First Quarter
Chicago scored the first two baskets of the game before Veronica Burton got on the board for the Valkyries with a three-pointer off of a handoff from Laeticia Amihere. The starting spot also allowed Amihere to pick up an early basket when she ran the floor and found an open path to the basket after the Valkyries finally got a stop having allowed the Sky to score on four straight possessions. The defense continued to struggle contain Chicago’s offense early, allowing them to build the lead further.
Gabby Williams continued to attack heading into the media timeout, getting fouled and scoring her first point on a free throw before setting up a midrange jumpshot. Chicago made their first three-pointer after the first stoppage, but Cecilia Zandalasini answered after good ball movement left her completely open. Tiffany Hayes was the last bench player to enter, but made her impact early with a three-pointer followed by a steal and layup. The Sky kept on picking apart the Golden State defense though and matched those scores to lead 24-16 to end the quarter.
Second Quarter
Tiffany Hayes also seized the initiative in this quarter, getting a three-point play on the first possession. Chicago scored again, but the Valkyries quickly made it a one-point margin with consecutive three-pointers from Veronica Burton and Kaila Charles off of passes by Hayes. The Sky pushed the lead back out, but Charles took advantage of a quickness advantage from sliding up a position and scored again. Gabby Williams challenge the Chicago defense and got the score while Hayes picked up another steal, getting fouled on her fast break attempt and making one of the free throws. Ashten Prechtel came back into the game before the first timeout and drew a foul beyond the arc, making all three free throws to tie the score.
The perimeter defense continued to pick up when play continued as Hayes got another steal and fast break layup for sudden lead, but Chicago answered immediately. Williams drove in for a score and drew the foul, missing that free throw but making a pair on the next trip down the floor. The Sky got their own free throws before the half’s final timeout and then it was Cecilia Zandalasini’s turn to split a pair at the line. Chicago tied the score again, but it was a 43-40 Golden State halftime lead after Burton made an extremely difficult shot over her defender in the paint and Kayla Thornton scored her first point after being designated as the free throw shooter following a transition take foul.
Third Quarter
Chicago scored on their first possession of the quarter, but Gabby Williams answered at the other end. A Veronica Burton three-pointer and a Kayla Thornton layup after a nice step-through move led to a Sky timeout early. They did eventually get a basket and a free throw before Cecilia Zandalasini was the next player to earn a three-point play. Chicago found some rhythm on offense only to see Tiffany Hayes keep the Valkyries ahead each time after she scored nine straight points for the team. The last one was a free throw after she briefly received some treatment after a foul that was reviewed, but not upgraded. Kaila Charles scored next and Kaitlyn Chen made a three-pointer for her first points as Hayes missed the free throw on a technical foul when the Sky argued with the officials. Williams got a steal and layup to stretch the run to 10-0 before the teams trade three-pointers with Chen making it for Golden State to leave the lead at 72-58.
Fourth Quarter
Neither team had a strong start to the quarter, but Tiffany Hayes was able to earn more free throws for the first points. Kaila Charles added another steal and layup before Chicago could make a free throw and then their next basket prompted a Valkyries timeout to stem the tide on any possible response. Cecilia Zandalasini scored next and Veronica Burton made a long jumpshot with her foot on the line to keep the margin high. Defense was a factor again when Charles got a steal and layup and Zandalasini had another three-point play. They stifled the Sky ahead of the final media timeout and Charles made more free throws and got a layup as the benches emptied. Juste Jocyte got an opportunity to create after entering the game and drew a foul for a pair of points at the free throw line. Chicago’s three-pointer with time winding down provided the final 91-71 margin.
Player of the Game
The award for this game goes to Tiffany Hayes for her major impact even though she played less than half of the game. The bench unit has provided so much key scoring for the Valkyries this season and even though the grouping was different, the players there stepped up again and she was at the forefront of it all. She not only continued to drive to basket to score at the rim, but also led the team in assists and tied for the team high in rebounds and steals. It was the latest in a string of good performances for her as she has not been called upon to play the same amount of minutes as last year, but has been relied upon for her veteran presence.
The Verdict
It was always likely that the team would have an adjustment period with some new lineup combinations and positional tweaks. The Valkyries made it through that period and found their rhythm to get another win. Health is obviously always a key factor and the even though they have depth, the way that players have settled so well into their roles actually could make it more difficult when changes have to be made to those patterns. There will be upcoming games when there are players missing due to national team duty, so getting preparation for those times while still getting a victory is huge. The team has four days without a game, but that just leads up to a tough stretch with many games in a short span as well as more games against teams with an eye on the playoffs. Such a long period without playing will also give the Valkyries the chance to clinch a playoff spot without being in action.
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