The Golden State Valkyries finished their road trip on Sunday with the final game before the World Cup break, visiting the Portland Fire. With three players already joining their national teams, the Valkyries had to shuffle their lineup, but they took a commanding lead pretty quickly. They were never really challenged for the rest of the game and it ended up being an 86-69 final score. Most of the team will get a break while national team play is going on as they focus on firming up their playoff seeding when they close out the regular season.
The Lineup
As expected, Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles entered the starting lineup for the Valkyries to cover for the national team absences. The rotation was eight players in the first half with Kaitlyn Chen and Laeticia Amihere logging minutes as expected and Juste Jocyte getting playing time, including seeing action essentially at power forward as there were some more smallball lineups. Both developmental players were activated for depth and the margin meant that all available players saw the court. Portland had to fill Carla Leite’s spot in the starting lineup and opted to bring in Teja Oblak for that job while Karlie Samuelson was able to play after being listed on the initial injury report.
First Quarter
Tiffany Hayes contributed immediately as a starter by scoring a basket on the first Valkyries possession, but the defense could not prevent an open layup for the first Portland points and they were next to score as well after a cold spell. Golden State got their next point at the free throw line when Kayla Thornton took the shot after a Fire defensive 3-seconds violation and then it was Hayes getting to the rim again when action resumed. She made another layup on the next trip down the floor and drew a transition take foul that led to another Thornton free throw. Hayes got the ball again after that and scored right away. Her steal led to a Thornton fast break layup and a Portland timeout.
Kaitlyn Chen got the pass back from Thornton next and made the first three-pointer after being left open on the wing. Portland was able to answer, but Kaila Charles got into the act with a layup. The Fire made their first two free throws only to see Hayes make a three-pointer next followed by Veronica Burton. Hayes struck again beyond the arc and then Burton made a pair of free throws before Portland finally ended the run and added a three-pointer to trail 28-14.
Second Quarter
Kaitlyn Chen started the scoring in this quarter with one of her floaters from a substantial distance. Portland finally scored after both teams had missed some decent looks. The Valkyries unsuccessfully challenged a foul call and the Fire made both of the free throws, getting within single digits again with a three-pointer. Kayla Thornton made a baseline jumper and then it was Chen’s turn to get to the foul line for two more points. Veronica Burton found space on a drive for a layup and then Laeticia Amihere’s steal and fast break layup led to a Fire timeout.
Kaitlyn Chen got fouled making another floater and missed the free throw, but she made a three-pointer from the corner on the next trip down the floor. Tiffany Hayes had her first points of the quarter from the free throw line. Portland took a timeout to substitute out an injured player and scored as the shot clock was about to expire, ending the long run at 15-0. Burton had an open path for another basket as the Fire did score to leave the Golden State lead at 47-25.
Third Quarter
Kayla Thornton made a three-pointer on the first possession of the half, which Portland was able to answer. Thornton made another shot from distance at nearly the same spot, but the Fire were able to match at the free throw line. Portland score again as the Valkyries were trying a very specific method for attacking their defense, taking an early timeout. Laeticia Amihere got an open layup when action resumed, but the defense gave up a basket although they avoided the three-point play. Kaila Charles scored at the other end and then Tiffany Hayes made a tough layup. The Fire continued to find some rhythm on offense, but they sent Charles to the free throw line for two more points.
Thornton got to the foul line next and made both shots before Portland converted a three-point play after falling behind by the largest margin yet. They scored again and then added a three-pointer to get closer only to leave Kaitlyn Chen open in the corner for a long-range make. Amihere got space to start one of her dribble moves and was able to get to the basket for a layup. Veronica Burton got her second steal in a row and added the free throws after getting fouled. The Fire avoided falling further behind, also adding a three-pointer to trail 70-51.
Fourth Quarter
Portland scored the first basket of the quarter, but Juste Jocyte made her first basket with a good finish at the rim. Kaila Charles was next to score on the drive and Kayla Thornton made a three-pointer from the corner. Charles got fouled after a baseline drive and made a free throw and then the Fire got a pair of free throws. The fouls continued as Charles made both shots this time before Portland made a field goal.
The offense got exactly what they wanted this time with Laeticia Amihere getting the layup, but the Fire did continue scoring before a timeout. After the benches were emptied, Miela Sowah scored her first career points on an impressive move to get free for the layup before the final stoppage. Nadia Fingall got fouled and made both free throws. Portland scored more points for the final 86-69 margin.
Player of the Game
The award will go to Tiffany Hayes for this game after her role in the team’s incredible start, scoring as many points as Portland did in the first quarter and half of the team’s total. With the change in the lineup, it was not clear how the Valkyries would go about attacking the defense, but she just took the initiative multiple times and drove all the way to the basket for tough finishes, adding a pair of three-pointers in the process. That fast start pretty much gave the team control of the rest of the game and then she chipped in with rebounds, assists, and steals as she continued to take on a leading role. Her veteran experience will be important in the playoffs and the team has been able to manage her minutes all season long.
The Verdict
This was another game that went to plan for the Valkyries as they carried the momentum from recent wins and got to work quickly on building a lead and putting the game out of reach. Even with fewer players available, minutes were able to be managed effectively and those who will not be at the World Cup will get some extended rest while also getting practice time during this break. The team stays in great position in the standings as they get closer to securing homecourt advantage in the first playoff series and try to position themselves for more rounds.
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