The Valkyries vs Sparks matchup Sunday at Crypto.com Arena went to Golden State, who held off a late LA rally to win 84-78.
Cecilia Zandalasini set the tone early, going 5-for-5 from deep to stake the Valkyries to a 14-point first-quarter lead. Down the stretch, Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaun buried timely 3-pointers, and Kayla Thornton iced it at the line after being fouled.
Los Angeles nearly stole it anyway.
Valkyries vs Sparks Decided in 4th Quarter Battle
Rae Burrell went scoreless through three quarters. Then, in the fourth, she scored nine points to fuel a run that cut a double-digit deficit to one. But the Sparks couldn't get the last shots to fall.
Nneka Ogwumike led LA with 16 points, Erica Wheeler added 15, and Cameron Brink chipped in seven points and seven rebounds.
Golden State Valkyries Coach Credit Benched Kate Martin with LA Sparks' Performance
After the game, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase turned attention to a familiar face on the opposing bench. Despite guard Kate Martin not suiting up for the game, Nakase praised her former player.
"She's a special human being, and you can tell LA has definitely been affected by her," Nakase said. "You could see the caring and the joking and the laughing. And that's what we miss. We miss that energy from Kate and all the love and care that she pours into her teammates."
Golden State (23-9) has now won four straight. Los Angeles (12-19), meanwhile, faces the Phoenix Mercury and former Sparks star Kelsey Plum on Tuesday at 10 PM ET on NBA TV.
