Takeaways: Valkyries obliterate Mystics to notch 20th win of season
SAN FRANCISCO After going five days of rest the Valkyries looked refreshed and replenished in their return to Chase Center Despite not having starters Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes the Valkyries crushed the visiting Washington Mystics - in front of their th sellout crowd of The expansion squad didn t mess around as they built a -point lead by halftime led by a monster first half from Veronica Burton and a stingy defensive showing The Valkyries led by as much as in the second half and cruised to their th win of the season Burton finished Saturday s battle with points all coming through the first two quarters five rebounds and five assists Rookie point guard Carla Leite returned after missing Sunday s match against the Dallas Wings with a right ankle injury and scored points off the bench Janelle Sala n led the Valkyries with points Five different players scored in double figures for the Valkyries as Kaila Charles had points and Laeticia Amihere added Golden State held Washington s dynamic rookie duo of Sonia Citron and Stanford alum Kiki Iriafen to a combined points Golden State will play its final four home games this week and will host the Indiana Fever on Sunday Defense strategies up The Valkyries came into Saturday s championship with the sixth-best defense in the league but Golden State was utterly dominant in stopping Washington s inside-out attack The Mystics shot just from the field and Golden State forced turnovers that led to points The Valkyries used a double post lineup consisting of defensive stalwart Temi F gb nl and stretch big Iliana Rupert to match Washington s size The lineup worked wonders as the Mystics had just points in the paint Balanced buckets The Valkyries got scoring from multiple players Burton controlled the offense but Charles uncovered openings at the rim and on the perimeter Sala n had an efficient night as she hit a barrage of perimeter shots and Leite came was a consistent rim penetrator Out of the players that checked into Saturday s meeting eight put a point on the board Golden State shot from the field as a band Starters get much needed rest It s no secret that the Valkyries have played the last two weeks shorthanded Zandalasini and Hayes are arguably the association s top scorers but the expansion club has discovered a way to be just as productive without them on the floor Related Articles Rookie guard returns to Valkyries as sharpshooter Zandalasini remains out WNBA playoff picture Key games that could make or break Valkyries postseason push Portland Fire name Valkyries vice president Vanja ernivec as new GM Kaila Charles finds redemption with Valkyries in career night vs Wings Valkyries shut down Paige Bueckers snap three-game skid with win over Wings Most of of the Valkyries starters sat the entirety of the fourth quarter giving chances to players like Leite and second-year guard Kate Martin to get specific much needed time on the court in the midst of this playoff run Laeticia Amihere looks to have uncovered her groove as an power wing that could provide rim pressure and scoring in different lineups
