Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase called Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks a “must-win,” and her team answered. The Valkyries beat the Sparks 72-59 at Chase Center to move to 15-15, one game ahead of Los Angeles (14-16) and with the season-series tiebreaker already secured after a 3-1 advantage this year.
The victory felt like a turning point for an expansion club that had been reeling from injuries and a two-game slide. All-Star Kayla Thornton is out for the season with a knee injury, and Golden State had just lost consecutive games to Las Vegas. Facing a Sparks team that had won eight of nine coming in, the Valkyries played with the urgency Nakase demanded.
Defense and ball movement set the tone. Golden State limited Los Angeles to 32.8 percent shooting and just 24 points in the paint, holding the Sparks scoreless around the rim in the first half. The Valkyries moved the ball efficiently — 20 assists on 27 made field goals — and used a hot hand from the perimeter; Cecilia Zandalasini hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, while Veronica Burton led the team with 16. Janelle Salaün added 11 points and Carla Leite contributed nine.
Los Angeles, which had been averaging near 100 points in several recent games, was stifled. Kelsey Plum, the Sparks’ leading scorer this season, managed only four points on 1-for-9 shooting. Cameron Brink, making her professional Bay Area debut after four years at Stanford, struggled in the paint and finished with five points.
The game also featured a physical moment that briefly heated up the court: Plum was assessed a flagrant after kicking Burton, who rose and stood over Plum before players from both teams converged. Burton downplayed the incident afterward: “It got called a flagrant, so we just move on from there.”
Nakase praised her players’ communication and execution: “I want to give just credit to our players of understanding the meaning of this game and what we had to control — our communication, our game plan, being connected on offense, moving the ball.” She added that if fans want to frame the matchup as a rivalry, “that’s part of sports.”
Why this mattered
– Standings: The win moved Golden State above Los Angeles in the tight race for the eighth seed and gave the Valkyries the tiebreaker advantage should both finish with the same record.
– Momentum: The team overcame injuries and recent losses to deliver a complete performance on both ends.
– Defensive identity: Holding the Sparks to under 33 percent shooting and limiting paint scoring showcased a repeatable defensive approach the Valkyries can lean on down the stretch.
What’s next
Golden State hosts last-place Connecticut on Monday, with 14 regular-season games remaining and playoff positioning tightening across the league. The Valkyries won’t meet the Sparks again in the regular season, but Saturday offered a preview of the intensity that will define the playoff push.
Additional comments
– The victory highlighted the Valkyries’ depth: multiple players contributed scoring and perimeter defense that contained Los Angeles’ outside threats and interior scoring.
– Maintaining communication and ball movement will be crucial as the schedule intensifies; Nakase’s emphasis on a “playoff mentality” is a realistic roadmap given the team’s current standing and tiebreak advantage.
– With Thornton out, guard-forward versatility and bench scoring will be key. Continued defensive pressure and efficient 3-point shooting from players like Zandalasini and Salaün can sustain Golden State’s playoff hopes.
Brief summary
The Valkyries defeated the Sparks 72-59 at Chase Center, improving to 15-15 and earning the season-series tiebreaker. Golden State’s defense limited Los Angeles to 32.8 percent shooting and 24 paint points, while Veronica Burton led the Valkyries with 16 points and Cecilia Zandalasini hit four 3s for 14. The win provided critical momentum as the Valkyries pursue a playoff spot with 14 games left.