The Valkyries started their postseason campaign off by scoring the most points ever in franchise history.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Golden State Valkyries got off to a hot start in Game 1 of their opening round series against the Dallas Wings to capture the franchise’s first ever playoff win.
The Valkyries scored the most points in franchise history, beating the Wings 104-80 to take a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three first round series. Golden State made 18 three pointers, the second most in a game in WNBA history.
The Valkyries jumped on the Wings early and often, especially in the second quarter, where Golden State scored 37 total points and went on a 20-3 run to end the quarter.
The Valkyries were lights out from behind the arc, led by leading scorer Cecilia Zandalasini, who made six threes. Tiffany Hayes hit three 3-pointers and had 21 points, and Gabby Williams finished with 20 points.
An all-around team performance on both offense and defense by Golden State in Game 1. “It’s really hard for teams to match up correctly or get into them if we’re pushing the pace at a good rate,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said.
Nakase noted on Saturday that the Valkyries defense will help get the offense in rhythm. The Valkyries relied on their physicality and defense to push the team in transition, and boy did that work.
“We’re just getting stops and running and trying to tire them out,” Gabby Williams said.
Wings guard Paige Bueckers agreed, “It starts with their defense,” she said. “They don’t let their offense dictate their defense; it’s the other way around. When they’re flying around, getting stops, shots tend to go in more for them. It’s tough on a team like that when you’re never going to get their worst night defensively. They might miss shots, they might miss 3s, but they’re always locked in defensively.”
Bueckers said the Wings have to emulate that defensive intensity the Valkyries are displaying.
Bueckers finished the game with 21 points on a terrific 9-of-10 shooting, which makes her the first player in WNBA history to shoot 90% or better and score at least 20 points in a playoff debut. The Valkyries are okay with that. As long as they maintain their defensive intensity, keep pushing in transition, and shooting lights out this series could wrap up quickly.
“She’s an excellent player one of the best in the league,” Williams said.
Game 2 is Wednesday night in Dallas. Tip-off is at 9 PM EST on ESPN.
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