Valkyries Make Statement Win, Hold Off Liberty 66-58

SAN FRANCISCO — A little over three months ago, the Liberty out-classed the Valkyries by 28 points. The tides have now turned.

The Golden State Valkyries have been building toward a breakthrough moment all season against a top caliber team. On Tuesday night at Chase Center, they finally got it.

In front of yet another sold out crowd of 18,064, Golden State toppled the defending champion New York Liberty 66–58, a statement victory that not only extended the team’s winning streak but also signaled that this first-year franchise has become a serious postseason threat.

Golden State, fueled by its trademark defensive intensity and balanced scoring, held New York to its lowest point total of the season.

The win marked the Valkyries’ fourth straight, and their third in a row at Ballhalla. The franchise also logged its 20th sellout of the year, continuing a perfect record of full houses in its inaugural season.

Temi Fágbénlé led the charge with 16 points on 70 percent shooting, coming within one point of her career best.

The game turned in the second quarter when Kate Martin caught fire, scoring all 11 of her points, punctuated by an and-one three-pointer as she tumbled into the courtside crowd. Whenever she scores, the arena seems to erupt and adding extra spark to the the building.

Golden State closed the half on a 26–8 run to seize a 40–26 advantage. The Liberty never fully recovered, and though they cut the deficit in stretches, the Valkyries’ defense and crowd energy held them off. “Our crowd stayed with it and stayed consistent, as they always do,” Martin said. “They are the sixth man of the year for sure.”

Other contributors, included Janelle Salaün with 10 points and three rebounds and Veronica Burton with her usual presence everywhere, finishing with nine rebounds, nine assists, and a team-best +16 rating.

The night also brought an emotional moment when Monique Billings checked into the game late in the first quarter after missing 16 of the previous 17 contests with an ankle injury. Her coach praised her return.

“Her energy. You could feel it, you could feel her energy, her physicality,” Nakase said. “Mo brings so much to us, we're really glad to have her back.”

Billings made her presence felt with five points, three rebounds, and her trademark energy.

The performance was particularly sweet because it came against one of the league’s most formidable opponents. While New York hasn’t won as often as many expected after last year’s championship run and this year’s strong start, the Liberty still boast one of the most talented rosters in basketball.

Before the game, coach Sandy Brondello expressed confidence in her team’s talent and their playoff potential. "We need to build some confidence over these next few games. I trust the team with our full team back. I think no one would want to really meet us in that first round."

Given that the Liberty are such a talented team, limiting New York to just 26 first-half points, their fewest in any opening half this season, sent a resounding message to the rest of the league about the Valkyries’ defensive prowess.

Head coach Natalie Nakase emphasized how far the Valkyries have come on the defensive end. “I think we're continuing to climb,” she said. “I think our communication has been elite over the last three games, and I think when we're communicating and we're extending the game plan, we're pretty dangerous.”

Nakase credited her players for buying into a defense-first culture that was emphasized as early as training camp. “Our defense was going to be what we hang our hats on… our defense is going to be what we rely on every night, it was going to be how we're gonna win games if we win the game.”

Kaila Charles completed her fifth double-digit scoring effort as a Valkyrie and received high defensive praise from her fellow players. “She (Charles) just works extremely hard,” Martin said. “You can't teach that. It’s easy to play with somebody who's going to give 100% every single time.”

Fágbénlé added with a smile, “It’s good when you know what to expect because she's such a solid body. If you've ever touched her, it's like rock hard.”

The Liberty were led by Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud, who scored 19 apiece. New York struggled to find rhythm.

Stewart, who had topped 23 points in each of the teams’ previous three meetings, went just 4-for-15 from the floor.

Cloud opened the game with the Liberty’s first nine points, but the offense dried up from there. New York has now dropped five straight on the road and missed its chance to sweep the season series against Golden State.

Bay Area fans hoping to see hometown favorite Sabrina Ionescu take the floor had to settle for her presence on the sideline and in the stands during pregame.

The Liberty guard, who grew up in Walnut Creek and became a college legend at Oregon, was in the building but remained inactive as she continues to recover from a left big toe injury. It marked her third straight missed game, and though she didn’t suit up, her return home still drew attention and support from local fans and family who have followed her journey since her high school days.

As the buzzer sounded, Fágbénlé summed up the team’s mindset in front of the roaring home fans, “We're in playoff mode right now.”

With the victory, Golden State’s magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to two. A combination of Valkyries wins and Sparks losses could send this expansion squad into the postseason as early as this week.

For a team that has battled for respect against the league’s elite, Tuesday’s result felt like validation. The Valkyries didn’t just win; they proved they can hang with the best. And if their defense keeps suffocating opponents the way it did against New York, the rest of the league needs to take notice.

UP NEXT

• Golden State continues its homestand against the Dallas Wings at 7 p.m. on KPIX+, 95.7 The Game and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.