Valkyries Suffocate Sparks From the Start, Win 78–58

Photo by Vaughn Mendoza

The Golden State Valkyries needed no second-quarter explosion this time. They came out and buried the Los Angeles Sparks early, racing to a 25–10 first quarter lead and never looking back in a dominant 78–58 home victory.

Where the Sparks shot an abysmal 33.3% from the field and a brutal 14.3% from three, Golden State's defense was the real story. The Valkyries forced 16 turnovers and converted them into 22 points, while holding Los Angeles to their biggest lead of the night at zero — the Sparks never led.

Gabby Williams paced Golden State with 16 points on 50% shooting, adding the defensive energy that defines her game. Kaila Charles was brilliant in her efficiency, dropping 13 points on 71.4% from the field with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, finishing with a true shooting percentage of 82.5%. Veronica Burton contributed 12 points and Cecilia Zandalasini added 10, while Kayla Thornton's 4 steals off the bench helped choke any Sparks momentum before it could build.

Golden State's biggest lead reached 24 points. It was that kind of night.

By Margaret Anuran