The Valkyries showed impressive resilience, but were unable to upset the defending champs.
The Golden State Valkyries fell just short of upsetting the New York Liberty on Thursday night, falling 82-77 in a game that was tightly contested from start to finish. The Valkyries had an impressive showing against the the reigning WNBA champs, but ultimately dropped to 2-3 on the season.
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase took responsibility for a poor start in Golden State’s 95-67 blowout loss on Tuesday. Nakase blamed her decision to prioritize “rest over rhythm” in the three days off prior to the game for an abysmal first quarter. Back in the same building two nights later, after a shootaround and film review on Wednesday, the Valkyries came out with a far stronger showing.
Golden State jumped out to a 6-3 lead, but Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu caught fire from deep and led a 12-3 Liberty run. Just as it seemed New York was on its way to another massive early lead, Cecilia Zandalasini, in her first appearance of the season, delivered some instant offense off the bench to right the ship. At the end of the first quarter, the Liberty held a slim 20-18 lead, and things were all tied at 37 at the half.
New York’s impressive collection of talented offensive players stretched the Valkyries length and athleticism to its limits. However, perhaps lulled into a sense of security by Tuesday’s blowout, the Liberty’s offense was out of sorts early.
The Valkyries brought improved ball pressure and rotations to the rematch and the Liberty committed six turnovers in the first quarter. Ionescu was consistently able to get space from behind the arc, but also forced some tough heat checks while Natasha Cloud and Breanna Stewart were both quiet. Ionescu scored 17 points in the first half while Stewart and Cloud were a combined 1-for-8 from the field. Stewart had a particularly rough half, missing a pair of open looks (and free throws).
On the other side, Valkyries rookie Janelle Salaün remained undeterred in her willingness to attack. Salaün had a team-high 10 points in the first half and filled the stat sheet. She finished the game with her first career double-double (18 points and 13 rebounds) on 7-for-19 shooting from the field.
While the Liberty were often able to keep the Valkyries from doing what they wanted offensively, Salaün was consistently willing and able to get off her own looks. Her willingness to take tough shots, occasionally early in the shot clock, leaves room for growth, but Golden State’s offense desperately needs players willing to create for themselves. Giving a rookie space to develop is the ideal way to approach that.
Valkyries starting center Temi Fágbénlé picked up her fourth foul on a moving screen early in the third quarter, forcing a stabilizing veteran presence (and defensive anchor) to the bench. Monique Billings filled in well, continuing to help containing Stewart alongside some pivotal offensive rebounds.
While Salaün was held scoreless in the third quarter, and remained the Valkyries only scorer in double figures, Golden State was trailing just 57-56 heading into the final quarter.
The Liberty started the fourth on a 5-0 run, but the Valkyries would once again answer. After chipping away at the lead for several minutes, Fágbénlé converted a transition layup with 3:54 left in regulation to put Golden State ahead 72-71.
After multiple lead changes in the subsequent minutes, Stewart knocked down a pair of free throws to put the Liberty ahead 78-77 with 1:35 left in regulation. Despite her slow start, she finished the game with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks on 6-for-12 shooting from the field. Superstars have a way of seemingly coasting into elite lines.
The Valkyries missed a pair of three-point attempts, but had wrangled multiple offensive rebounds. Nakase called timeout and drew up a baseline in-bound play. Golden State struggled to get open and Veronica Burton was called for a five-second violation just as she was inbounding the ball.
With the lead, New York let the shot clock wind down before using Stewart’s gravity to clear a wide open lane for Cloud, who converted a layup.
The Valkyries had one more chance, trailing by three with 10.1 seconds on the clock. Nakase drew up a play for Zandalasini, who air-balled a three from the left wing.
It’s a credit to Nakase and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin that the Valkyries have already built a squad that was ready for a rematch against the defending champs two nights after a blowout loss.
Still, the energy around the team was clear following the game. It’s too early in the season for moral victories. The Valkyries will now return home and have a couple of days off before they host the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday at the Chase Center.