The Valkyries survived.
Taking part in their third highway sport in 5 days, the growth staff practically fumbled a 17-point, first-half lead however obtained sufficient stops down the stretch to flee with a 68-67 win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday.
The Valkyries have been with out middle Monique Billings (ankle) and sharpshooting ahead Cecilia Zandalasini (foot), however managed to drag out the win behind a balanced scoring assault as 4 totally different gamers scored in double figures.
Golden State was outscored 33-22 within the second half and managed to attain simply six factors within the fourth quarter.
Nonetheless, coach Natalie Nakase mentioned she was pleased with how her staff completed the sport.
“I didn’t even look at the six points,” Nakase mentioned. “I thought down the stretch, they knew exactly what to do. I thought that was really good execution on the defensive end because sometimes, you can win off of defensive execution. We did that this game and we did it versus Atlanta.”
The victory bumped the Valkyries again into the eighth and last playoff spot with 18 video games left within the common season. Solely 3.5 video games separate the sixth-place Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks, who’re tenth.
Golden State may have two extra video games in opposition to the Mystics this season.
Kate Martin got here off the bench and led the Valkyries with 14 factors. Iliana Rupert had 11 factors and Veronica Burton scored 10.
Rookie sensation Sonia Citron led the Mystics with 16 factors. Kiki Iriafen had 10 factors and 6 rebounds.
Regardless of main by double digits for a lot of the first half, The Mystics roared again as they reduce the Valkyries’ result in seven going into the ultimate 10 minutes behind a 10-point third quarter from Citron.
Washington took its first lead of the sport when Emily Engstler hit a left nook 3 on the 7:19 mark of the fourth quarter.
Middle Temi Fágbénlé hit a pull up jumper with simply over 5 minutes left to offer the Valkyries a one-point lead. The British veteran’s basket would find yourself being Golden State’s lone made discipline purpose till Janelle Salaün put in a driving layup with a minute left within the sport.
Salaün made a expensive mistake on the Valkyries’ last possession, turning the ball over when the Mystics wanted to foul with three seconds remaining. Nevertheless it didn’t matter as Brittney Sykes missed the game-winning floater on the buzzer.
“We’re exhausted,” Nakase mentioned. “Luckily we come out with so much juice early at the beginning. Yeah, I wish we could score 30 in each each quarter, but obviously they’re going to ramp up their defense. So sometimes in a quarter, if we can start off with healthy, fresh legs, then that’s fine.”
Golden State took management of the sport within the second quarter due to well timed shot making and stingy protection.
A reload 3-pointer from Kate Martin constructed the Valkyries benefit to 16, simply three minutes into the second quarter and compelled Mystics coach Sydney Johnson to name a timeout to cease the bleeding.
The highway staff led by as a lot as 17, however a 7-0 run from Washington to finish the second quarter reduce the deficit to 12 going into halftime.
Rupert, Burton and Martin mixed for 30 factors within the first half.
The Valkyries obtained off to a sizzling begin, hitting 5-of-8 of their pictures from 3-point vary within the first quarter. Rupert hit three 3s to assist Golden State construct a 10-point lead going into the second interval.
The growth staff’s sizzling taking pictures continued because the Valkyries shot 11-of-26 from 3 and had 21 assists on 22 made discipline objectives.
The Valkyries gained’t have a lot time for relaxation as they are going to play the Chicago Sky tomorrow. Golden State has not performed a back-to-back sport this season.
“We’re all tired,” Nakase mentioned. “That’s why we’re just gonna try to get to Chicago as fast as we can. We’re gonna flip the page and then talk about Chicago on the plane.”
Tiffany Hayes replace
Beginning taking pictures guard Tiffany Hayes left the sport within the third quarter and didn’t return. Nakase didn’t say if Hayes was coping with damage, however mentioned fatigue performed a consider not brining her again into the sport.
Hayes completed had 0 factors and 4 assists in 20 minutes.
Nakase compliments Stanford alum’s progress
Iriafen has had fairly the rookie yr.
Iriafen was one among three first-year gamers to make an All-Star staff and is a close to lock to obtain all-rookie honors after the season. She got here into Thursday’s sport averaging 11.9 factors and eight.5 rebounds on 46% taking pictures whereas main the 2025 rookie class in double-doubles (8).
Nakase has been impressed by the younger ahead’s speedy progress.
“Kiki obviously has evolved, changed and grown even more into a role and with more confidence,” Nakase mentioned earlier than Thursday’s sport. “She’s athletic. I know she can dunk. So we got to make sure we keep her off the boards because she’s just plays with a certain type of hunger. Whether she’s not making shots or she’s not getting shots, she’s rebounding like her life depends on it.”
Initially Printed: July 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM PDT
