Sparks Fall 84-78 to the Valkyries
Despite a spectacular 4th quarter, LA was unable to overcome their slow start.
Written By: Molly Tepper
Twitter: mollytepper
(Los Angeles, CA) After defeating the number-one team on the road, the Los Angeles Sparks (12-19) had to come home to take on another challenge: the number-two team in the league. The Golden State Valkyries (23-9) came in with a three-game winning streak and were hungry for more. After a rocky first three quarters, the Sparks were able to cut most of the Valkyries’ 19-point lead in the fourth. Despite coming within one possession of Golden State, LA was unable to make the final push, falling 84-78.
Coach Lynne Roberts pre-game on the difficulty of playing the Valkyries:
“Defense is their calling card, and they’re a team where if you get into a situation where you’re trying to go one-on-one, you’re going to lose. Their defense, their rotations are really on point. So you have to make a move.”
Out of the gate, the Sparks struggled. Due to an inability to keep up with the Valkyries’ fast-paced offense and a lack of ball movement on their own end, the Sparks were held to just 15 points in the first quarter. With only two starters putting points on the board and the team shooting a rough 40% from the field, the Sparks had their work cut out for them if they wanted to avoid a blowout.
Coming into the second quarter, Los Angeles had too many turnovers and not enough defensive rebounds. A bright spot came from Kiana Williams, who scored 10 points off the bench, keeping LA alive. Nonetheless, the Sparks were still shooting below 40% from the field and from downtown, and none of their starters were in double digits.
The rough patch continued as the third quarter came to a close, but Crypto Arena came alive down the stretch in the fourth. Rae Burrell collected her first points of the game with back-to-back layups. LA went on an 8-0 run, cutting the deficit to single digits by attacking the rim and forcing Golden State into turnovers with relentless defensive pressure. Nneka Ogwumike continued to be a playmaker, assisting shot after shot. A bucket from downtown by Ariel Atkins put the Sparks within one. However, the Valkyries had an answer. Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün came up with clutch shots down the stretch, never allowing the Sparks to take over and ultimately delivering Golden State the win, 84-78.
In the post-game, Lynne Roberts talked about what changed in the fourth:
“We were trying to get Rae going. Trying to get her speed going downhill. Against Golden State, you’re going to have a hard time attacking from the wings. You got to do it in the middle. I think, defensively, we were playing with urgency. And we got to start games with that same level of urgency.”
The Sparks will stay at home to take on the Phoenix Mercury (12-22) for the last time this season on Tuesday, August 11th at 7 p.m. This also marks the return of All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, in her first game back in Los Angeles since she was traded to Phoenix at the deadline.
Final Box Score
Photography Credits: LA Sparks/WNBA Photography
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