When the lights bought the brightest, the Valkyries didn’t blink.
Regardless of almost unraveling at numerous factors within the second half, Golden State discovered a method to ship within the clutch because the Valkyries defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 89-81 in additional time on the highway.
Monday’s sport had 14 late adjustments, lots of which got here within the second half. The Valkyries scored only one discipline aim within the closing 4 minutes of the fourth quarter, however strung collectively stops to resist a mixed 44 factors from Los Angeles stars Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby.
“I think we improved a lot. I think this was a testament for us,” mentioned ahead Kayla Thornton, who made a giant 3-pointer within the final minute of additional time. “I’m proud of our team. We stuck together. We could have folded.”
Listed below are three takeaways from Monday’s win:
Salaün discovering her means
French rookie Janelle Salaün couldn’t have requested for a greater begin to the season after she posted double-figure scoring performances in three of her first 4 video games.
Nevertheless it regarded as if groups began to key in on the three-level scorer as she shot simply 38.4% from the sector within the three video games previous to Monday.
In opposition to the Sparks, Salaün regained her rhythm.
Salaün totaled 21 factors on 7-of-11 capturing whereas hitting three of her 4 3-point makes an attempt. She performed a season-high 39 minutes and had a plus-minus ranking of +17 when she was on the ground.
“I think it’s harder when you get to this league. I think you don’t realize how physical and how hard it is to play every game,” Salaün mentioned. “I think I hit a wall after my fourth game against Minnesota and, yeah, that was hard. The last couple games were hard for me, this one was as well. But it’s good in a way because I’m going to keep improving this.”
Carla Leite shines in larger function
Fellow French rookie Carla Leite is barely 9 video games into her WNBA profession, however she has appeared actual snug enjoying at Crypto.com Enviornment.
Within the Valkyries’ highway win towards the Sparks three weeks in the past, Leite scored 19 factors on 70% capturing from the sector. Since then, Leite hasn’t discovered a constant spot in Golden State’s rotation, logging a median of seven minutes a sport. However she made probably the most of her alternatives on Monday.
Leite got here off the bench and scored 15 factors in 26 minutes. She closed the fourth quarter and made a key floater that tied the sport with slightly below a minute left in regulation.
Leite mentioned final month that she won’t take part in EuroBasket this month, opening up alternatives for the 21-year-old level guard to log critical minutes within the subsequent few weeks as different Valkyries gamers characterize their nations within the event.
“Carla is a true pro,” Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase mentioned. “She knows when her name gets called, that’s what you see. You see someone who is confident. You see someone who controls the tempo, and you see someone that can get big stops.”
Vanloo leaving for EuroBasket
The Valkyries introduced on Tuesday that time guard Julie Vanloo, who led the crew with eight assists in Monday evening’s win, might be leaving for EuroBasket.
Vanloo’s contract will quickly be suspended till she returns from the event, which runs from June 18-29.
The Valkyries have been making ready for gamers to depart for this event because the starting of the season.
“We have a plan. Same thing as the expansion draft, you have to be ready,” Nakase mentioned. “We’re supporting them if they want to go to EuroBasket. We’re supporting them if they want to stay. I’ve been watching a ton of film on other players to be ready.”
Golden State has already made strikes to the roster in anticipation of gamers leaving. After ahead Cecilia Zandalasini left the Bay Space to report back to Italy’s nationwide crew on Sunday, the Valkyries lower heart Kyara Linskens and signed ahead Laeticia Amihere.
Vanloo is averaging 4.6 factors and 4.1 assists per sport because the Valkyries’ backup level guard. She scored two factors and grabbed 5 rebounds along with her eight assists Monday’s win.
Initially Revealed: June 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM PDT
