One team chasing the other’s record-setting expansion season go head-to-head for the first time Tuesday night when the Portland Fire and Golden State Valkyries duel in San Francisco.
Both teams recorded signature home wins over the Indiana Fever last week, the Fire (6-4) running up a 100-84 victory Saturday, two days after the Valkyries (5-3) held on for a 90-88 win.
With six wins in their first 10 games, the Fire are one game ahead of the pace the Valkyries used to kickstart an expansion-record 23-win campaign a year ago.
With former Valkyries guard Carla Leite (18 points, 12 assists) and Emily Engstler (16 points, 10 rebounds) recording double-doubles, and Megan Gustafson (22 points), Sarah Ashlee Barker (15), Bridget Carleton (14) and Frieda Buhner (10) combining for 61 points, the Fire thrilled their home fans with their best effort of the young season against Indiana.
Gustafson insisted having a chip on their shoulder from being left available in the expansion draft or in free agency has inspired the Fire’s hot start.
“We’re a bunch of overlooked players,” Gustafson, trying to hold back tears, told reporters after the Indiana win. “I’ve really never been respected as a basketball player until I’ve gotten here. I’m really thankful for this team, this organization. They really believe in me.”
The Valkyries rode a similar story to the playoffs last season. They’re coming off a 91-81 home loss to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, but were nonetheless encouraged by an 18-6 game-ending run that kept the capacity crowd in its seats.
“That can carry over,” Gabby Williams said after her 20-point effort. “I mean, it was the second unit that made that run, and this is a long season, so our depth is going to be our strength. Those guys getting in those minutes during crunch time, and against a really good team, the defending champs, that’s huge for us.”
Winning starts have translated into big crowds for both the Fire and Valkyries. Portland drew its first sellout — 19,347 — for Caitlin Clark’s visit Saturday. Golden State, meanwhile, has sold out all 26 of its home games the last two seasons, packing the Chase Center with 18,064 each night. Another sellout is expected Tuesday.
–Field Level Media
