NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
The Valkyries won their first-ever overtime game against the LA Sparks, 89-81 on Monday night in a tough battle. Golden State had a nine-point lead in the second quarter, but after a couple of bad shots and turnovers, the Sparks were able to regain the lead going into halftime.
Although the overall team’s shooting percentage is not pretty on paper, Golden State’s defensive effort helped to tie the game and eventually win in overtime.
The Valkyries had 17 offensive rebounds that translated to 16 points. Temi Fagbenle dominated in the paint with 13 total rebounds, eight of them were offensive.
Nakase said she “went off” at halftime and the team responded well. They knew they didn’t play their best basketball in the second quarter.
“We didn’t play our greatest half, we were very soft defensively. We knew what level we needed to get to. You can tell in the third and fourth quarter we had each other’s back. We gotta continue to rely on each other and hold each other accountable.”
The French duo Carla Leite and Janelle Salun combined for 36 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists; having Leite back in the rotation made a major impact for the Valkyries on both ends of the floor.
“Carla is super competitive. She’s prepared, she knows when her name is called that’s what you see. She’s someone who’s confident, can control the tempo, and gets big stops. ”
Salaun shared her struggles adjusting to the WNBA after playing a full season in France. “When you get to this league you don’t realize how hard, how physical every game is. The last few games have been hard for me, it’s good but I won’t lie to you, it’s been hard.”
Salaun said she hit a wall after the Minnesota game, but it’s good in a way because she continues to improve, and her effort on the floor proves it.
When the lights go up, Janelle shows out.
21 points on 7-for-11 from the field, 8 rebounds, and a clutch OT put back.
Career night from #13. pic.twitter.com/UJCv13dURS
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) June 10, 2025
The Valkyries continued to shoot from the arc but this was one of those games where the shots weren’t falling. Golden State was 13% from three at one point tonight, they ended the game at 15%.
Kayla Thornton was 2-of-8 from the three-point line tonight, one of them being a clutch three when the team needed it most in overtime.
Thornton said her team believed in her to take that shot and told her to keep shooting. “I wouldn’t have made that without my teammates. ”
The Valkyries head back to San Francisco to face the Seattle Storm on Friday night, who are currently one spot ahead of Golden State in the Western Conference rankings.
