NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
July 15, San Francisco – The Golden State Valkyries were seconds away from forcing an overtime against the Mercury on Monday night.
With 17.7 seconds remaining, Cecilia Zandalasini’s layup was just short, and Golden State trailed 75-72. It felt as if that was the last chance to close the gap and regain the lead.
The fans rose to their feet after the timeout, and DeWanna Bonner was fouled after the inbound pass. The boo’s roared through the arena, and Bonner split her free throws, pushing the lead to four points.
With nine seconds left, Janelle Salaün came off a screen and nailed a much-needed triple, cutting the lead to one point, 76-75. Bonner was fouled again on the inbound play and proceeded to split her free throws once more, leaving the window open for Golden State to tie or take the lead.
Head coach Natalie Nakase drew up a play during the timeout and asked, “Who wants it? She (Ja) gave me a look and I said ok, we’re gonna go with you.”
Salaün came off the screen and nailed a fadeaway jumper to tie the game. Everyone in Ballhalla was on their feet, hoping for overtime — so long as the Valkyries could avoid another foul.
“Credit to everyone who was on the floor at that moment, because you gotta execute everything. The timing, the screening, the setup. I think that’s why I’m not as upset, but I am, just because of the beauty of the execution down the stretch. I didn’t put her in till the very end… and then boom, we ran it to her the next play and she made another jumper. It’s beautiful basketball. I’m so proud of her and her teammates; everyone did their job tonight.”
With 6.1 seconds remaining, Phoenix used its final timeout. Tiffany Hayes was guarding Monique Akoa Makani at the top of the arc but slipped while navigating an Alyssa Thomas screen. The Valkyries collapsed to help, leaving the Mercury’s star player wide open under the basket. Thomas drove to the hoop and drew contact from Cecilia Zandalasini with one second remaining.
She hit the second of two free throws, sealing Phoenix’s third straight win, 78-77.
So Close Yet Again
Golden State started slow and were held to only two points with Phoenix hitting four consecutive three-pointers to open the game, going on a 12-2 run until the six-minute mark.
The Valkyries called a timeout to regroup, and Veronica Burton scored her first of four threes, leading Golden State on their own 18-4 run to close the quarter. Golden State was more selective with their shots in this run, which allowed their defense to get set up and force Phoenix to feel the pressure.
Although the Valkyries have now dropped four of their last five, the effort from everyone during crunch time was Nakase’s main highlight.
“I was so proud’. The execution down the stretch, the fight, how hard we played. I couldn’t ask for a better game. I told them to keep their heads up. It felt like we did the right things in a very crunch time moment…Losing off a free throw, that to me hurts.”
There have been ongoing issues regarding officiating consistency from players and coaches across the league. On the deciding play of the game, Zandalasini slid under the basket to help as Thomas attempted a layup and drew contact.
“I saw absolutely no foul. The physicality of the game, I felt for Phoenix was 10 times more versus our physicality. We don’t play that way.”
The Valkyries are now below .500 for the first time since June 17. They head to Seattle to face the Storm on Wednesday before the All-Star break. Golden State has dominated Seattle in the last two matchups at home, and has ruffled their feathers both times, especially Skylar Diggins. Expect this game to be another fight till the last second.
@sportswithshmere The Valkyries held the Storm to season low shooting 27% from the field in their 84-57 loss. #creatorsearchinsights #wnba #basketball #valkyries #storm #womeninsports #sanfrancisco #seattle @TEAM NBS MEDIA ♬ original sound – Ashmere | sports content
