Valkyries use 16 point comeback to sneak by Sparks and clinch #2 seed in WNBA Playoffs

After an incredible inaugural season a year ago, the Golden State Valkyries are heading back to the playoffs.

For much of the game, the Valkyries seemed out of sync until the largest comeback in franchise history happened. The Valkyries, down by as much as 16, got the game within striking distance and capped it off on a game-winning three-pointer by Gabby Williams with 20.4 seconds left.

Gabby Williams finished with 14 points but sat much of the second half as the Valkyries were down double digits. Veronica Burton was key with 17 points but was in foul trouble that kept her off the floor late in the game.

However, Kaitlyn Chen was incredible in keeping them in it with 18 points off the bench. Chen scored all 18 of her points in the second half and got the deficit down to single digits.

The closer then got to work. Gabby Williams scored eight points in a ninety-second span to cap off an incredible 17-5 Valkyries run in the final minutes, giving the Valkyries a 76-75 win.

This wild 76-75 comeback win for Golden State clinched the #2 seed in the WNBA playoffs, setting up a first-round matchup with the Dallas Wings.

The Valkyries will face the Wings in a best-of-3 first-round series. Golden State will host its first ever playoff game on Sunday. Coming into this first round series, the Dallas Wings are missing first overall pick Azzi Fudd, who is out with a knee injury.

Coming off an overtime loss on Tuesday against Portland, this game was crucial for seeding; if Golden State had lost to the Sparks, they would have been locked into the 3rd seed, where they would face Caitlin Clark and the Fever. Now, instead, they play the Wings, a team they beat all three times in the regular season.

“This was a big win in terms of seeding,” Veronica Burton said. “But more importantly, just showing what we can do and what we’re made of down the stretch.”