Golden State Valkyries outlast the Wings, Clinch the Playoffs
The only game of the day was between the Dallas Wings and the Golden State Valkyries. Dallas had a very good shooting start, getting a seven-point lead early. Valkyries got a boost from their bench, with the likes of Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaun, including a logo three to end the first quarter. The three gave the Valkyries a 20-19 lead at the end of the first. The bench unit for the Valkyries continued to be strong through the second quarter.
Halfway through the second, it remained a one-point lead for the Valkyries. Then the Valkyries went on a 11-2 run to extend the lead to 33-25 with 4:23 left in the second. Three straight threes by the Valkyries pushed the lead to 42-28 with 1:36 left in the second. Halftime score is 44-28 in favor of the Valkyries. Throughout the third, the Valkyries continued their smothering defense and consistent shooting. Valkyries led 62-46 at the end of the third.
A 9-0 run by the Wings in the middle of the fourth quarter cut the lead to 11 after the Valkyries had the lead up to 20. Wings got the lead down to 10, with 2:25 left. Then Maddy Siegrist made a three to cut the lead to six with 58.5 seconds left. The Wings never got any closer, and the Valkyries won 78-70.
Gabby Williams led the scoring for the Valkyries; she had 23 points and seven rebounds. Veronica Burton also had 16 points, five assists, and four rebounds. On the Wings side, Paige Bueckers had 21 points, and Arike Ogunbowale had 17 points. The Wings will look at the 16 turnovers and instantly know that's why they lost.
Four games tonight: At 7 pm EST, the Los Angeles Sparks play against the Connecticut Sun. And the Indiana Fever play at the Toronto Tempo. At 9 pm EST, the New York Liberty play at the Chicago Sky, and the Atlanta Dream play at the Las Vegas Aces.
Comments