SAN FRANCISCO — The Valkyries regarded as related as they’ve all yr on Tuesday evening.
Taking part in the star-studded New York Liberty, Golden State made all the appropriate performs, hit all the mandatory pictures and stored the visiting staff’s high-powered offense in examine.
The consequence: The growth staff performed maybe its finest sport of the season, defeating the defending champion Liberty 66-58 in entrance of its twentieth consecutive sellout crowd of the season.
Temi Fágbénlé led the Valkyries with 16 factors and 5 rebounds. Janelle Salaun had 10 factors. Kate Martin got here off the bench and scored 11 factors.
Monique Billings made her return to the lineup after lacking the final 14 video games with a proper ankle sprain. She performed 20 minutes, scored 5 factors and grabbed three rebounds.
Guard Natasha Cloud was a vibrant spot for the Liberty, main New York with 19 factors. Walnut Creek native Sabrina Ionescu missed Friday’s sport with a toe damage.
The Valkyries held the Liberty to 31.6% capturing and didn’t permit the Liberty to get to the road persistently within the first half, holding the visiting staff to 2 free throw makes an attempt. Breanna Stewart noticed solely 4 of her 15 pictures undergo the basket, however obtained most of her factors on the free throw line.
With the win, the Valkyries now have a one-game lead over the Indiana Fever for the sixth seed. A Los Angeles Sparks loss in opposition to the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday and a Valkyries win over the Dallas Wings on Thursday would clinch a playoff spot for Golden State.
Golden State fell behind by 4 factors after the primary quarter, however an offensive explosion within the second interval gave the Valkyries a cushty halftime lead.
Martin scored all 11 of her factors within the second quarter, hitting 3-of-6 of her 3-point makes an attempt to guide the Valkyries within the first half.
The Valkyries held the Liberty to 32.3% capturing by the primary two quarters and led 40-26 going into the intermission.
New York’s eight second-quarter factors is tied for the fewest factors a Valkyries’ opponent has scored all season.
Golden State ballooned its result in 24 early within the third interval, however the Liberty completed the quarter robust by forcing seven Valkyries turnovers. The house staff went into the ultimate 10 minutes of play with a 12-point lead.
However very like they’ve achieved throughout this dwelling stand, the Valkyries didn’t let up within the fourth quarter.
Golden State’s inside-out assault paced its offense in opposition to a extra athletic Liberty protection. On the opposite finish, the Valkyries obtained well timed stops and didn’t permit New York’s trio of submit gamers consisting of Stewart, Emma Meesseman and final yr’s Finals MVP Jonquel Jones to get going.
The Valkyries will play their last two dwelling video games on Thursday and Saturday, beginning with a matchup with the Dallas Wings adopted by the common season finale in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx two days later.
Initially Printed: September 2, 2025 at 9:08 PM PDT
