The Golden State Valkyries visited the Portland Fire on Tuesday, the game that would close out the season for the hosts. Playoff seeding was very much at stake for the Valkyries in this game and after a quiet first couple of minutes, they exploded on offense while starting well on defense again. Portland recovered from the early setback and roared back to make it a back-and-forth game. The Valkyries had to rally to send the game into overtime, but could not keep up late, losing 90-82 to damage their seeding possibilities and setting up a big game on Thursday.
The Lineup
There was no late player news for the Valkyries and that allowed them to go back to their usual starting lineup with Cecilia Zandalasini and Gabby Williams joining Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, and Kiah Stokes. That led to the more typical ten-player rotation with smallball lineups used more aggressively as the game progressed. Portland ending up not having Nyadiew Puoch available either along with Holly Winterburn being ruled out after originally being listed as questionable. They got Bridget Carleton back though and Jordan Harrison was available too after being listed on the initial injury report.
First Quarter
Neither team was firing early, but Veronica Burton opened the scoring with a three-pointer and then she found Cecilia Zandalasini on the opposite wing on the next possession. The run continued with a Kayla Thornton baseline jumper and her basket from deeper in the corner led to a Portland timeout. Kiah Stokes had a height mismatch in the post next to get her first basket and Gabby Williams got into the act next.
Kayla Thornton added a free throw as the first substitutions came into the game. Janelle Salaun started her return with a free throw before Portland finally scored on a three-pointer. The Fire made another shot from distance, but Salaun answered it. Portland did score again, but Laeticia Amihere and Kaila Charles also got their first baskets. They scored the last basket, still trailing 24-10 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
Portland made a three-pointer on the first possession of the quarter, but the Valkyries got a free throw from Laeticia Amihere on their first trip down the floor before another long-range make from the Fire. Amihere was able to get space to drive in for a layup, which Portland responded to in the post. The Fire got even closer and they used a challenge to successfully overturn an out-of-bounds call. When the Valkyries got the ball back, Cecilia Zandalasini was fouled beyond the arc and made two of the free throws. Portland continued to fight back and made a three-pointer, cutting it to a one-possession game with a three-point play.
It was Golden State’s turn to use a challenge on an offensive foul call, which was also successful, getting Kiah Stokes free throws that she missed. The Fire scored to trim the margin to a point, but Gabby Williams ended a long field goal drought by driving in for a layup. Portland got to the foul line and made both before Zandalasini got there at the other end to match them. They had their chance to take the lead before Veronica Burton got fouled for two more free throws. Portland tied the score on a three-point play and then got fouled again to get the lead. The officials had to go to the monitor to review whether a foul occurred before the ball was inbounded, but it did not and Burton just got the two regular free throws. She missed the second shot, but an offensive rebound led to her three-pointer and Janelle Salaun also got fouled to add the free throw for a 40-37 lead.
Third Quarter
Portland opened the quarter with a three-pointer, but Kayla Thornton was able to eventually get the lead back by running ahead for the layup. She had a shot from the corner next and the Fire used their other challenge to overturn a foul that had been called in her favor. The Valkyries did get their free throws on the next possession with Gabby Williams making both of them. Portland was energized, but missed their chance to tie it at the foul line, allowing Janelle Salaun to extend the lead with a layup. A Fire three-pointer the score, but Salaun was able to get to one of her mid-range jumpshots and Veronica Burton got to the free throw line for two more points. Shooting continued to be the story for the home team as they tied the score again even with a Salaun drive for more points in the paint.
After a timeout, Portland missed a chance to take the lead, allowing Kaila Charles to drive in for the layup and Williams to make a foul line jumper. Williams was able to get to her spot again to create a little breathing room, but the Fire got back to the free throw line to stem the tide. Tiffany Hayes got fouled twice in a row and got the free throws after the second, making both of them. She answered a Portland basket with a fearless drive to add another free throw as the Fire drove at the other end to trim the margin to 61-58 heading to the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Tiffany Hayes did not slow down to start the quarter, getting to the rim again for another basket. Portland was able to answer, but there was an early stoppage after Carla Leite got injured. They got closer with two free throws and then took the lead on their next possession, extending it too. Hayes took command, driving in again, but the Valkyries missed a chance to grab the lead back after that. Tough defense could not stop the Fire from scoring, but Veronica Burton matched them at the free throw line after a timeout.
Gabby Williams made a three-pointer after the team had struggled from distance to get the lead. Kaila Charles helped get the ball back after a missed shot and was able to get the open layup as a result. Hayes made it a three-possession game with a three-pointer from the corner to prompt a timeout. Portland was able to end their drought with two free throws and then scored again with a good defensive play, forcing a Valkyries timeout with another quick basket. The Fire suddenly took the lead with a three-point play. Golden State had an excellent plan after a timeout and Williams was able to generate the tying layup. The defense held and got the Valkyries the chance at the last shot, which was missed to leave it tied at 77.
Overtime
Gabby Williams got fouled when the Valkyries got their first possession of the extra frame, sinking both of the free throws. Portland eventually matched, but Kayla Thornton responded with a three-pointer only for the Fire to respond. They took the lead, but missed a chance to extend it. The Valkyries created an open shot after a timeout only to miss the chance to take the lead. Portland was able to make their next shot and get the free throw too. Golden State missed their next shot after a timeout and had to start fouling to extend the game, also picking up a technical foul in the process. They could not score again and lost 90-82.
Player of the Game
The award for this game goes to Veronica Burton as a number of players had their moments over the course of the game. With the team going to back to having the full roster available, she took on the playmaking role again and led the team there while having some key scoring moments as well. She also contributed with rebounding and defensive playmaking over the course of the game. Even with the team’s depth, she will be relied on for heavy minutes in the playoffs.
The Verdict
This was a missed opportunity on multiple levels for the Valkyries as the door was opened for them earlier in the day to still finish in first place. Losing also meant that they were not able to ensure that they could finish no lower in the standings, meaning that Thursday’s game needs to be approached as must-win in order to hold their place. It was known that this would be a tough game with the familiarity from recent meetings between the teams and the motivation of a squad trying to win at home one more time. The game had a promising start as the return of the starting group made it look like the team was not going to slow down from the recent games with missing players, but that did not hold up down the stretch. It looked like they still might do enough to win, but they ran out of steam.
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