The Golden State Valkyries finished the regular season on Thursday with a trip to Los Angeles, knowing that they would likely need a win to avoid dropping in the playoff standings. The Sparks were already eliminated, but were looking to celebrate with a win. Golden State had a solid enough start as they were trying to bounce back from a tough loss, but the hosts closed the first quarter strong and had a great second quarter to take the lead at halftime. It looked like the Valkyries would not have any path to the win in the second half, but they kept attacking and had a dramatic late comeback to grab the 76-75 win.
The Lineup
There was no late player news for the Valkyries as they were able to use the same starting lineup. It was back to the ten-player first half rotation that was more of a true platoon. There was a lot more situational mixing and matching in the second half as the Valkyries looked for answers. Aminata Gueye made her debut late in the third quarter as well. Los Angeles had no player news except for Dearica Hamby being available as expected and she went back to the starting lineup.
First Quarter
Gabby Williams opened the scoring with a layup on the first possession of the game. The Sparks scored next and then took the lead with their next basket before Williams drove into a midrange look that she sunk. Kiah Stokes had a height mismatch in the post and made the layup over her defender and then it was Williams again with a lane for the open layup. Veronica Burton drove next and earned a pair of free throws that she made and then Los Angeles scored twice before the media timeout.
Players came off the bench during the stoppage and Kaila Charles earned two free throws, making one of them. Los Angeles scored next as both teams were struggling a bit on offense, but Janelle Salaun was able to operate in the post and use a good move to get free for a layup. The Valkyries continued to battle and Charles got fouled again, making both free throws. The Sparks were the first team to make a three-pointer and then almost did it again to beat the buzzer but a replay showed that it was late and Golden State led 15-13.
Second Quarter
Tiffany Hayes drove in for a layup on the first Valkyries possession, but the Sparks answered immediately and then tied the game. They took the lead on a three-pointer and then were able to extend it with another basket. Veronica Burton ended a three-minute drought on a drive before Los Angeles scored again before the media timeout.
Cecilia Zandalasini was able to make her first basket by driving in for a layup, but the Sparks continued to have more success connecting from long-range and then added a three-point play. Kiah Stokes was able to roll to the rim for an open look before the other timeout. Los Angeles returned with another made basket and the Valkyries finally made their first three-pointer with Stokes left open in the corner. The Sparks made their first free throw and score the last basket of the half to lead 35-26 at the break.
Third Quarter
The Sparks made it a double-digit lead early with a three-pointer and then made another one immediately to force an early Golden State timeout. Veronica Burton made the first Valkyries basket on a tough drive, but Los Angeles got a point back on a technical foul. Burton drove in again for the layup as the outside shots were not falling and got to the foul line on the next trip down the floor for two more points. The Sparks stopped the run, but Golden State continued to attack the basket with Tiffany Hayes earning free throws and making one.
There was a lengthy review on a foul by Kiah Stokes, but it was not upgraded. Hayes completed a three-point play once the Valkyries got the ball again, but Los Angeles was able to connect again from distance to keep pace and then made another one to build their lead back up again. Janelle Salaun earned free throws while securing a rebound, making one of them. The Sparks got their own three-point play before Salaun ended the field goal drought with a baseline jumper off of an inbounds play. Burton continued the driving trend with a tricky layup and Salaun went to work in the post again, getting fouled again and making a free throw. The Sparks made their own layup, but Kaitlyn Chen responded with her first basket. She made a floater for the last basket of the quarter, leaving the deficit at 55-46.
Fourth Quarter
Los Angeles scored first in the quarter to take the lead back to double-digits and then Kaitlyn Chen got the first Valkyries basket. The game stopped for a Golden State challenge of a foul call that was unsuccessful and the Sparks ultimately made a three-pointer. Chen drove in again for a floater and then it was Los Angeles’s turn to challenge a foul call that was successful. They won the jumpball and got a three-point play, but Veronica Burton was able to answer beyond the arc.
The Sparks scored again before Burton was fouled on a call that held up and made both free throws. Drives continued to be the goal on offense and it was Chen’s turn to cut the deficit to single-digits briefly before Los Angeles free throws. Chen answered the next Sparks basket by attacking the rim, but they got back to the foul line. Her great fourth quarter continued with a three-pointer before a timeout.
It was another free throw for Los Angeles next, but Chen completed a three-point play and Gabby Williams returned for a three-pointer. She got a steal and drove all the way for a layup to make it a one-possession game suddenly and then made another three-pointer for the lead. When the Sparks missed chances to take the lead back, there was also a technical foul on their coach, giving Kayla Thornton the chance to make an important free throw. It allowed the Valkyries to make it a two-possession game when she made two free throws as Los Angeles needed to extend the game. Golden State nearly gave it back by committing a foul before the ball was inbounded, but the free throw was missed and a Sparks three-pointer happened right at the buzzer to make it a 76-75 win.
Player of the Game
The award for this game goes to Kaitlyn Chen after her incredible fourth quarter that helped put the Valkyries in position for the final comeback. On a night where jumpshots were mostly not falling, the team had to just continue to attack the basket and she was incredibly successful, ending up as the game’s leading scorer. This was a big win for the team with a need to flip the momentum before the playoffs and she delivered, setting the tone with her heroics.
The Verdict
This game almost ended up being a disaster and there were lots of different attempts for the team to reverse their fortunes. In the end, they were able to make some key plays late and secure the win. The win ultimately allowed the Valkyries to stay in second place and the playoff bracket was set after they ended up as the last game of the day. While the team will need to improve from the rough patches of the last few games, they showed fight both times and will need that as well in the playoffs now that they know that they will face the Dallas Wings first.
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