After struggling to find a win last week, the Golden State Valkyries finally got back on track Sunday.
Despite suiting up just eight players, the Valkyries snapped their three-game losing streak with a 90-81 road victory over the Dallas Wings. It helped that Golden State thoroughly shut down Dallas’ rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, holding the former UConn superstar to nine points on 3-of-12 shooting from the field.
The Valkyries ended Bueckers’ impressive streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games at 30.
Meanwhile, Veronica Burton did just about everything for the Valkyries as she scored 25 points, dished out 13 assists and grabbed five rebounds. Kaila Charles, who was cut by the Wings earlier this season, drew the assignment of guarding Bueckers and chipped in with 16 points. Iliana Rupert added 17 points and six rebounds.
“(Paige) is an elite scorer in this league,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “Rookie or no rookie, that’s impressive what she’s been doing. … We matched her up with (Kaila) but at the end of the day, it was team defense. Just credit to our whole team for being locked in because she’s just not an easy cover. She she demands a lot of attention.”
The Valkyries hit 16 of their 38 shots from beyond the arc in the win. They also hit all 18 of their free-throw attempts.
Maddy Siegrist led the Wings (9-29) with 16 points.
The Valkyries had a laundry list of players out with injuries Sunday, including forwards Kayla Thornton (knee), Cecilia Zandalasini (calf) and Monique Billings (ankle), and guards Carla Leite (ankle) and Tiffany Hayes (knee).
After fumbling a big lead early, the Valkyries got back on track in the third quarter. Burton scored 10 points in the period and Golden State outscored the Wings 25-17 to take a 61-55 lead going into the fourth quarter.
A quick 6-0 run, capped off by a 26-foot 3-pointer from Kate Martin, gave the Valkyries a 12-point lead early in the fourth period.
Behind a Burton-centric attack, the Valkyries ballooned their advantage to as big as 15 in the final quarter. Golden State then outpaced Dallas’ offense and cruised to a comfortable road win.
Burton shook off a four-point first half, scoring 21 points in the final two quarters to lead the Valkyries to their second win over the Wings this season.
“Whatever we ask from Veronica, she executes,” Nakase said. “Just credit to her mental toughness. She’s probably one of the toughest players I’ve ever coached.
“I think she’s truly a big part of why we’re winning. And I said she’s our heartbeat, but she’s also our leader.”
Golden State held Bueckers scoreless in the first half, but other players stepped up for Dallas. Myisha Hines-Allen and Amy Okonkwo combined to score 23 of the Wings’ 38 first-half points, helping the home team take a two-point advantage at halftime.
It was just the 12th time this season Dallas led after the first two quarters, buoyed by a 26-13 second quarter after a strong opening from Golden State.
The Valkyries got off to a hot start, hitting five of their first 10 3-pointers to take an 11-point lead after the first quarter.
Golden State will get some much-needed rest going into its next game. The Valkyries won’t play again until Saturday when they return to Chase Center to play the Washington Mystics (5:30 p.m., KPIX+).
The Valkyries currently occupy the eighth seed and are one game ahead of the Sparks for the final playoff spot. Golden State won the season series against Los Angeles and will have a tiebreaker should both teams end the regular season with identical records.
“It’s coming down to playoff basketball,” Burton said. “So every win really matters and every game is super important, and I think we understand that.”
Martin shines in increased role
With a short rotation, the Valkyries needed a big game from Martin and the second-year guard delivered.
Martin scored 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the 3-point line and got big minutes in the fourth quarter.
“She had fresh legs,” Nakase said. “She was getting to the boards a little bit quicker and was knocking down shots. You can just feel her energy and presence today and like I’ve said, Kate is always ready to play.”
Reports: Černivec on the move
Vice president of basketball operations Vanja Černivec is leaving the Valkyries’ organization.
The longtime international basketball scout is expected to become the next general manager of the Portland Fire – one of the two expansion teams entering the league next season – according to a report from Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report and Rip City Radio 620 in Portland.
When reached for confirmation of the move, a Valkyries spokesperson declined to comment. The Fire did not respond to requests for comment from this news organization.
Černivec was influential in helping build the Valkyries’ current roster. After April’s draft, Valkyries GM Ohemaa Nyanin thanked Černivec for her work in scouting different players to bring to the team.
Portland looks to be retooling its front office after it parted ways with team president Inky Son earlier this summer. Longtime Nike executive Clare Hamill recently took over as president of the team.
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