Golden State held host New York to a season-low in points as the Valkyries defeated the Liberty 87-70 on Thursday night.
The game was a matchup between the WNBA’s top-scoring team (New York, 100.0 average) and the league’s best defensive squad (Golden State, 76.0). In four previous games, New York’s lowest total was 96 points.
Golden State, which only trailed at 3-0, was led in scoring by Gabby Williams (16 points), Veronica Burton (13), Kaila Charles (13), Janelle Salaun (11), and former Liberty standout Kayla Thornton (11). Ironically, Thornton had gone scoreless in her previous game, shooting 0-for-11 from the floor.
The Liberty was led by Breanna Stewart (18 points, nine rebounds) and Jonquel Jones (16 points, eight rebounds).
New York’s Pauline Astier, who entered the game as the league’s top-scoring rookie (16.8), was held to seven points on 3-for-5 shooting.
Satou Sabally made her Liberty debut, scoring five points and grabbing four rebounds. The three-time All-Star — who signed with New York as a free agent after leaving Phoenix — had missed the first four games due to a cyst.
The Liberty was still without four-time All-Star Sabrina Ionescu (left-foot injury).
Golden State dominated the first quarter, shooting 5-of-10 on 3-pointers and leading 25-15. New York shot just 1-of-6 from deep and had seven turnovers that led to nine Golden State points. Golden State had just one miscue.
New York started the second quarter on a 10-2 run. By halftime, though, Golden State still led, 42-34.
The top scorers in the first half were Williams and Stewart, each with 11 points. New York outshot Golden State in the first half (51.9 percent to 44.4 percent).
But the Liberty made four fewer 3-pointers and also had 10 turnovers that led to 14 Golden State turnovers. The Valkyries had just four turnovers, leading to three Liberty points.
Golden State extended its lead to 63-46 after three quarters, holding the Liberty to just 12 points in that period.
The Valkyries continued to pour it on in the fourth period, leading by as many as 24 points.
For the game, Golden State shot 13-for-35 on 3-pointers and scored 17 points off of 15 New York turnovers. The Liberty shot just 6-for-24 on 3-pointers and scored only five points on six Golden State turnovers.
This was the first of a seven-game homestand for the Liberty. That’s the longest homestand New York will have all season.
–Field Level Media
