SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries have misplaced a lot of their entrance courtroom depth after forwards Janelle Salaün and Cecilia Zandalasini and middle Temi Fágbénlé left for EuroBasket final week.
The Valkyries, who got here into the season as one of many WNBA’s smaller groups, now discover themselves leaning on seven-year veteran Monique Billings to anchor the paint because the staff’s beginning middle.
Billings stated she is as much as the problem.
“I’m built for this,” Billings stated previous to Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Indiana Fever. “I just want to be able to support wherever I can be a great teammate in any way possible. It’s not even something I think about.”
Billings made her first begin of the season in Tuesday’s 80-71 loss to the Dallas Wings. She scored 18 factors, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two pictures throughout her season-high 34 minutes.
Golden State signed 6-foot-2 ahead Chloe Bibby to a hardship contract earlier this week to shore up its frontcourt depth. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase has additionally used ahead Laeticia Amihere as a middle in sure small-ball lineups.
“She stepped in and I thought she did a great job,” Nakase stated of Billings. “Now, she’s playing with other starters. She’s not playing against the second unit. For her, it’s about finding her synergy with Carla (Leite) and Veronica (Burton) in the pick and roll.”
Billings stated the staff’s expectations gained’t change even with a plethora of rotation gamers out of the lineup.
“We have people on our team right now who have been in camp with us. We know the standard,” Billings stated. “We have great vets who bring that standard every day. So no, I don’t think that’s something that we need to make as an excuse.”
Fresno natives shock youngsters
Fresno native Janet Chaudoian gave her grandkids, Noah and Clayton Bagdanov, a shock they gained’t neglect.
On Thursday, Chaudoian informed the 2 brothers that they have been taking a visit to San Francisco to see their favourite participant, Caitlin Clark.
“We found out this morning,” Noah stated. “When they told me, I didn’t believe it. But then, they showed me the tickets and I started jumping up and down.”
Noah and Clayton have been decked out in Caitlin Clark apparel, which included Fever T-shirts and Iowa hats. Their mom, Ashley Bagdanov, stated the household has been watching Clark and Valkyries guard Kate Martin since their days at Iowa.
“We’re rocking Caitlin shirts, but we’re also fans of Aliyah Boston and we are huge Valkyries fans as well,” Ashley stated.
With 90 minutes till tipoff, the decrease bowl at Chase Middle was crammed with followers donning Clark jerseys and Iowa gear. The going charge for day-of tickets for Thursday’s recreation was round $85 for higher bowl seats.
Chaudoian, who purchased tickets months upfront, stated she paid a bit greater than the present going charge.
“We got a promotional deal to buy the tickets at the time, but we probably paid more than market rate,” Chaudoian stated. “They were outrageously priced, but my grandkids are worth it.”
Noemi Revuelta, of Pompano Seashore, Florida, cheers for Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) earlier than the beginning of their WNBA recreation at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Homecoming for Stanford standout
Indiana Fever ahead Lexie Hull couldn’t cease smiling when requested the way it felt coming again to the Bay Space.
“It feels so good,” stated Hull, who helped Stanford win a nationwide championship in 2021. “Just being back on the West Coast feels so good. To go out and see some friends from Stanford, it just really feels great. So, I’m really happy to be here.”
Hull stated she reserved 22 tickets for household and mates for Thursday’s recreation with extra anticipated to return.
She averaged 11.1 factors and 5.2 rebounds in her 4 years at Stanford beneath legendary coach Tara VanDerveer. Hull earned all-Pac-12 honors thrice and was named to the all-conference defensive staff twice.
“I think (VanDerveer) worked really hard on getting us prepared when we were there,” Hull stated. “I’ve definitely taken that into every game that I play now.”
She is having a profession yr with Indiana by way of the Fever’s 11 video games, averaging 9.6 factors, 4.2 rebounds whereas taking pictures 48.8% from the sphere.
Hull stated she can also be comfortable to see knowledgeable ladies’s basketball staff within the Bay Space.
“It’s huge. There’s definitely an appetite for women’s basketball across the country,” Hull stated. “You see it. They’re selling out games every night. It’s just really cool and really special to be in a place close to where I spent four really great years.”
Indiana not fazed by physicality
The Fever dominated of their win over the Connecticut Solar on Tuesday, however they didn’t go away with out some bruises.
Indiana’s Clark was pushed by Solar guard Marina Mabrey, which resulted in Clark’s teammate, Sophie Cunningham, committing a tough foul on Connecticut guard Jacy Sheldon later within the recreation. Each groups bought into a number of dust-ups all through Tuesday’s recreation as tensions have been excessive.
Indiana, although, hasn’t been nervous by the elevated physicality.
“You see our bruises, you see our scratches,” Hull stated. “I think part of this game, knowing how it’s getting played and getting called. We’re able to be a tougher team.”
The league upgraded Sheldon’s shove on Clark to a Flagrant 2 on Wednesday.
Clark stated she has already moved on.
“It is what it is and my focus is on tonight,” Clark stated.
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) warms up earlier than the beginning of their WNBA recreation at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Fever coach away from staff
Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White was not on the sidelines for Thursday’s recreation as she tended to a staff matter, ESPN reported Thursday morning.
Assistant coach Austin Kelly stepped in as performing head coach. The staff hasn’t specified how lengthy White shall be out.
Initially Revealed: June 19, 2025 at 6:36 PM PDT
