15 seconds of fame
Monday’s rollercoaster ending (and notes on the starting lineup)
Down 76-72 with 15.8 on the clock, the Valkyries’ road to victory seemed closed. A two possession game against the league’s second-best, and not enough time for a shotclock. Make that one possession, as Janelle Salaün sinks a contested three.
Golden State fouls the Pheonix Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner for two. She makes the first, 77-75 with 9.8 on the clock. If she makes the second the Mercury could foul the Valks on the next possession — popping their tires as they aim for the comeback — but Bonner’s shot is no good.
Monique Billings with the rebound, and a reset timeout to advance the ball. 9.0 flat. Tiffany Hayes to Salaün for the two. That’s back-to-back for the French forward, and the game is tied.
6.8, Mercury ball. Monique Akoa Makani inbounds. Pass off to Sami Whitcomb, back to Akoa Makani, who barrels around the arc, Hayes hits the ground. Bounce pass to Alyssa Thomas, she drives to the rim, Temi Fágbénlé and Cecilia Zandalasini defending.
1.0 on the clock, the game heading towards overtime, Thomas’ shot is no good and — whistle.
She drew a foul on Zandalasini. Thomas for two at the line, the first grazes the rim but falls to the right. The crowd revs, but the engine dies as she makes the second.
The Valkyries don’t make a 94 foot shot with their one remaining second, falling 78-77 to the Phoenix Mercury, their second consecutive late-game heartbreaker.
Monday, like Saturday’s 104-102 loss to the Aces, was a game that could have gone either way. One split-second decision by a ref sealed the deal — that’s a frustrating way to go. But the loss column doesn’t differentiate.
As Iliana Rupert’s arrival approaches, the team will push to make the extra bucket or two that sends tight games their way. And, just as the team had to make space for her on the roster, we’ll see soon if the squad will be making room on the starting five for her.
Golden State has spent much of the season changing around their starting lineup. Having the same quintet in consecutive games Saturday and Monday was a rarity.
Here are some quick notes on the current lineup, and how they’re using their spot.
This was Veronica Burton’s 4th consecutive double digit game, leading the squad with 17. She’s held down assists all season, and is a defensive specialist, but has exploded offensively since she led the team to their win over the Indiana Fever.
Salaün is in her post-Eurobasket groove. She’s had strong performances in the two most recent matchups, and was particularly clutch in this closer. And, if you haven’t seen her jumper, keep an eye out next time she’s shooting free-throws. It seems to defy physics with it’s flat arch.
Tiffany Hayes has found her confidence. After an early nose injury forced her to miss time and play conservatively, we’re seeing her back to full force. Adding her energy (and consistent shooting) to the rotation has helped ease the scoring pressure off Kayla Thornton.
At eight points, this was Thornton’s third non-double-digit-scoring game all season. She’s only dipped below five rebounds twice. That consistency and drive are what’s made her an All-Star, and she’ll continue to elevate the Valkyries’ playmaking.
Fágbénlé is still searching for more consistency post-Eurobasket. She’s had five personal fouls in three of the six games she’s played since, and is seeing less time on the floor. Laeticia Amihere’s addition to the team is pulling away some of her minutes, but it’s the return of the chemistry and presence Fágbénlé brought in the early season that the team is really looking for. Eurobasket doesn’t deal WNBA players an easy hand when they ask them to play for an entirely different team in the middle of a season, but Fágbénlé must adapt.
We’ll see if the roster gets mixed up again when the Valkyries face the Seattle Storm on Wednesday in another matinee game.
anyaarmentrout@gmail.com
"...popping their tires as they aim for the comeback..." Whoo! So good.