Valkyries Triumph Over Sparks 89-81 in Overtime Showdown

With 21 points and eight rebounds, Janelle Salaun was instrumental in the Golden State Valkyries' 89-81 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday night. Kayla Thornton's pivotal 3-pointer with just 37.9 seconds remaining in overtime sealed the win for the Valkyries.

This victory elevates Golden State's record to 2-2 in the Commissioner's Cup, showcasing their resilience and determination.

In a critical moment during overtime, Veronica Burton finally found her rhythm, scoring her first field goal of the game. Thornton followed suit, pushing Golden State ahead 82-79. Salaun then capitalized on an offensive rebound, extending the lead to 84-81 with 2:03 left on the clock.

Rebounding proved to be a significant factor, with Golden State dominating the boards 49-34, including a staggering 17-6 advantage on the offensive glass.

Los Angeles struggled offensively in overtime, missing eight of their nine field goal attempts, which ultimately hindered their chances of a comeback.

Thornton concluded the game with an impressive stat line of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Temi Fagbenie contributed significantly as well, adding 14 points, 13 rebounds, four steals, and four blocks. Carla Leite and Monique Billings also made notable contributions with 15 and 10 points, respectively. The Valkyries excelled at the free-throw line, converting 20 of 23 attempts.

Kelsey Plum led the Sparks with 24 points, including four 3-pointers and seven assists. Dearica Hamby supported her with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Notably, Plum reached a career milestone of 1,000 assists during the fourth quarter.

In a tense moment late in regulation, Plum hit a step-back 3-pointer with 37.8 seconds left, giving Los Angeles a brief lead at 78-76. However, Golden State responded quickly; after securing an offensive rebound, Leite drove to the basket for a layup that tied the game at 78 with just 25.1 seconds remaining. Plum's contested shot in the lane fell short as time expired.

Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, combining for just 11 successful shots out of 57 attempts (19%) from three-point range.

Looking ahead, Golden State will face off against the Seattle Storm on June 14 in another Commissioner's Cup matchup.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball