Golden State Valkyries fade after halftime in loss to Atlanta Dream, 79-63
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries couldn’t keep pace after halftime, falling 79-63 to the Atlanta Dream on Sunday night at Chase Center in front of 18,064 fans. It was the 16th straight sold out home game for the Valkyries.
Golden State (18-16) went toe-to-toe with the East-leading Dream in the first half. Defense dominated the opening 20 minutes, with neither side able to find a consistent rhythm. Valkyries center Iliana Rupert’s three-pointer in the final seconds of the second quarter tied the game at 25 heading into the break.
Atlanta Takes Control After Halftime
The second half belonged to Atlanta. The Dream erupted for 28 third-quarter points, flipping the game behind Allisha Gray’s hot hand. Gray scored 12 in the period, Brionna Jones added six inside, and Rhyne Howard capped the surge with a buzzer-beating three to put Atlanta ahead 53-42. The Valkyries never recovered, scoring just 38 points after the break while shooting 35 percent from the field.
Golden State suffered another setback when Rupert exited in the third quarter after contact to the head and didn’t return. According to a team statement, she was placed in concussion protocol.
Howard, Jones, and Gray Led the Way for The Dream
Howard finished with 14 points, including four made three-pointers, while Gray’s scoring punch carried the offense. Jones contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while Naz Hillmon added 12 points plus five rebounds. Atlanta controlled the paint, holding a 38-26 advantage, and turned nine offensive rebounds into 17 second-chance points. The Valkyries did manage to hold Gray scoreless in the first half for the first time since May 20, 2023.
Veronica Burton paced Golden State with 16 points, including seven free throws plus five assists, while Cecilia Zandalasini added 11. Laeticia Amihere and Kate Martin gave the Valkyries a spark off the bench with seven points each. Amihere also grabbed five rebounds. But without key contributors who sat out due to injuries, Kayla Thornton (knee) and Monique Billings (ankle), the Valkyries lacked interior depth, and the physical Dream took full advantage.
Valkyries center Temi Fágbénlé commented on Atlanta’s advantages: “They were being really aggressive, and that was their game plan to score inside the paint. We just needed to make that adjustment, and we didn’t do it as well as we hoped we would.”
Head coach Natalie Nakase mentioned energy and effort as factors in the loss.
“We ramped up our defense. We tried to do a little bit more things schematically try to create turnovers, to create extra possessions,” Nakase said. “I thought we tried, and then sometimes it just slipped away, and then they got an offensive rebound. So it kind of crushes your soul a little bit when you try to be crafty and creative. But again, they beat us in all the hustle categories, and that just can’t happen. Like, we’re not going to win a game if we’re getting out hustled. And again, we’re allowing 38 paint points. That’s just way too many in terms of how we defend and how we protect the paint.”
She added, “Just credit to Atlanta. They just did a hell of a job, I think, on both ends of the floor.”
The Valkyries also introduced top draft pick Justė Jocytė to fans during the evening. Jocytė, who missed the season to focus on EuroBasket play with the Lithuanian National Team, received an enthusiastic ovation.
What’s Next
The Valkyries continue their homestand on Tuesday when they host the Phoenix Mercury. Atlanta continues its road trip at the Las Vegas Aces on the same day.
