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00:01КТ, лучший стресс she's had from outside this season, arguably, over the last 6 games.
00:06КТ, о, some bully ball down low!
00:09Smart move by КТ.
00:11As soon as she had Morrow on her back, she just got explosive and finished on the other side.
00:16She's exploded for 14 points.
00:17Keep an eye on Mabry, starting to get a little chippy between her and Gabby.
00:21Mabry, mid-range jumper off the front of the rim.
00:25She's feeling the pressure, Jordan.
00:26Chechi, oh, what a move! Chechi driving off the window, can't complete, what a take, though.
00:33I like the attack, gotta finish that.
00:36That's a tough one to have, Lipp out.
00:41Allman, with Williams defending.
00:43Stokes and Williams, a patented pick and roll.
00:46Two-player coverage, Morrow, no good.
00:50Stokes, guys, with a rebound, gets it off to VB.
00:52VB, stepping on the gas.
00:55Chechi, the drive, back to VB.
00:58Oh, what beautiful ball movement!
01:00Catch it in!
01:02What a shot and what a pass!
01:04Why take a good shot when you can take a great shot?
01:08Chechi does such a great job attacking the closeout, and VB relocates to the outside.
01:13If you love basketball, just clip that last play, the awareness, the intelligence, the IQ.
01:20It's tied for the largest lead of the game for the Valkyries at seven.
01:23Allman for three.
01:24That'll silence the crowd.
01:25A huge shot for the tempo.
01:27Huge.
01:28Much needed in that moment.
01:30Obviously, we've seen a few possessions here where they attack, but making an outside shot is exactly what the tempo
01:35needed.
01:35Two teams have combined to shoot 19 of 41 from three, just pouring it in from outside.
01:40Gabby spinning, whirling, twirling off the back of the rim.
01:43Morrow able to control the rebound.
01:45That's why they traded for her.
01:48Mabry transition.
01:49Has had a clean look from three in transition all game.
01:52Condé outside the triple, back-to-back threes for Toronto, puts them to within one.
01:59Oh, and that one's tough, especially because Mabry did such a good job attacking, and as soon as you saw
02:04her do that, the defense had to collapse.
02:06The tempo, 10 of 20 for 50% from beyond the arc.
02:10And now Toronto gets a chance to set their defense.
02:13Chechi with Mabry defending, flips it up.
02:14KT, no hesitation, might have been deflected there.
02:18And Condé will scurry down the floor.
02:20The pass way over the head of Sambly.
02:22Turnover back to the Valkyries.
02:24Tenth turnover for the tempo.
02:27You see Marina Mabry doing a really good job of just trying to work her way into the paint.
02:32Barely getting the defense to shift, but getting it back out both times.
02:36Those spray threes for the tempo.
02:39It's the fourth turnover in the last five minutes for the tempo, and now...
02:44Part of the second act takes the floor.
02:46You've got Charles, Salon, and Hayes with Burton and KT.
02:51Really excited about this lineup and how well KT's been shooting it.
02:55You've got some guards that can attack the cup like Hayes.
02:58Slows down, Hayes flips it in.
03:00How about Charles?
03:00Coming over.
03:01Puts in the offensive rebound.
03:03And Kyla Charles cleaning up.
03:06That's exactly what she's been doing all season long.
03:09Valkyries got some scrappers on the floor right now.
03:11Sambly with a drive.
03:13Nice take there.
03:15And if you're Janelle Salon, how can you find a way to show her your jersey?
03:19KT from VB.
03:21It's the sixth dime and 16 points for KT.
03:24Way to run the floor, KT.
03:28The deflection, Morrow with KT defending.
03:31Morrow wants to spin.
03:32That is an elbow.
03:33That's going to be an offensive foul, and they might take another look at this one.
03:36They do as KT took a big-time shot to the face and throat area, and she's going to take
03:43a moment to regain her composure.
04:12That's all I got right now.
04:13Oh, it's one of those moves.
04:14It's a high one, yeah.
04:15It's high.
04:16That's a high one.
04:16The crowd all at once gasps.
04:19Man.
04:20And some boos start raining down here in Ball Hall of folks finishing their halftime snacks,
04:26taking a pause mid-bite, and letting them know how they feel about that elbow.
04:31It's tough, Jordan, because you don't want it to go anywhere.
04:36Bucket.
04:37The Valkyries hit.
04:38It's $1,000 being donated to the Golden State Community Foundation.
04:42They raised $47,000 last game.
04:44They've got $21,000 this game.
04:47And now, with Kayla Thornton at the line with 16 points, she has a chance to put the Valkyries
04:56up even more.
05:00Did you know it's the only unique court for a WNBA team in this league?
05:05Well, I did, but I think it's the coolest thing.
05:09And I liked seeing, also, the GSB right in the middle.
05:13Tonight's Valkyries Shop latest looks item.
05:16Check out the 1947 two-tone clean-up adjustable cap at shop.Valkyries.com, a fanatic's experience.
05:28You're a hat person.
05:29You love wearing caps.
05:30I saw that, and I was like, ooh, anything white, I just don't do well with.
05:36Is that because you always have food on my hands?
05:39Yes.
05:39You said it, I didn't.
05:40I was going to try to spare you, but I love it.
05:44Five-point lead here for the Valkyries at the moment.
05:46Kaitlin Chen checks in to give Veronica Burton a rest.
05:49Hayes winding up for a drive against Allman.
05:51Kicks it out to KT to the corner.
05:53Charles for three.
05:55Off the rim.
05:55Hayes, what an offensive rebound.
05:57Able to stay in bounds.
05:58KT out to Salon.
06:00Don't leave her open.
06:01Oh, it is good.
06:03The second chance opportunity.
06:05The extra effort of that rebound leading to that three.
06:09Saboli to Ushkida.
06:11Charles got a hand on it.
06:13It'll be Toronto ball with 17 to shoot.
06:15It's the largest lead of the game for the Valkyries at eight.
06:19The Valkyries doing such a good job.
06:23Finding a way to get that offensive rebound.
06:26Kayla Thornton comes down with it.
06:28Finds Salon for three.
06:29Saboli, the land.
06:31Nice action there from the tempo.
06:35I will say this.
06:36Mabry has just attempted one three this entire game.
06:39So the game plan is to limit her three-point touches,
06:42which to do that, take the head of the snake off.
06:45Valkyries have done a wonderful job so far.
06:48Chen, the pass to Salon.
06:49The pump fake Salon.
06:50Double punch.
06:51Oh, we've got some banking late at night here at Chase Center.
06:54Fantastic patience by Janelle Salon even on that shot.
06:58And Kaitlin Chen finding her.
07:00Salon with 13 points.
07:01Kaitlin Chen, their second assist of the night.
07:05Saboli lowers the shoulder, takes the contact.
07:07You go to the free throw line for two.
07:11Right here, Salon setting the ball screen, rolling to the basket.
07:16Mabry does a good job coming over and helps stopping her getting any closer to the basket.
07:20But Salon just has the size advantage and gets it off the glass.
07:24Well, for more on Janelle Salon, let's check in with Matt Lively.
07:27Well, guys, I want you to just think about this.
07:29A few games ago, Janelle Salon set the all-time WNBA record for most threes coming off the bench.
07:34That record was at 68.
07:37She's now up to 76 tonight, and there are still 15 games left to play.
07:42So think about where she could take this record that she will now own and probably be chasing herself for
07:48the rest of her career.
07:49Well, Matt, it's wild to think about the type of scorer she is.
07:54You think of sixth player of the year.
07:56It's not even a competition when you look at the numbers so far in this league as Chen picks up
08:00the foul.
08:02Excellent job driving there.
08:04Absolutely not.
08:04And she's currently, you know, you can take odds as you want them,
08:08but she is the betting favorite to be that sixth player of the year at this point.
08:12And that's exactly it.
08:14And seeing Janelle Salon and the way that she works off the bench,
08:17seeing some of those three-point numbers, she's just been so dominant.
08:21Salon, the crossover, picks up the dribble.
08:23Here's Chen with Rice defending.
08:25Chen over to Hayes.
08:26Hayes somehow finds the corner, takes the foul.
08:30Will fall to the floor and get two free throws.
08:33She gets up quickly, is held back by a couple of her teammates.
08:36And Kaitlin Chen's smile will always diffuse the situation as well, too.
08:40I love that even in an intense moment like this, you see Conde coming down hard on Tiffany Hayes.
08:46And Salon sprinting over.
08:48Kaitlin Chen smiling.
08:53Don't do it.
08:54Don't do it, Tiff.
08:56That's what she's saying.
08:58Hayes with six points.
09:04That free throw, in and out.
09:07So Hayes coming off the 15-point performance last game against Toronto.
09:14A 6 of 7 from the free throw line.
09:16Now you see Salon in a conversation with the coaching staff as well, too.
09:21And that's one thing they've talked about.
09:23No matter the rotation on the floor, especially in the second half, there's constant communication
09:26with the coaches and the players as far as what to tinker with based on what the other team has
09:31on the floor at the same time.
09:32They never want to look back at a game and say that they didn't say something to one another.
09:36Well, Ushkida got the angle on KT Hayes trying to say that Ushkida sold that one a little bit for
09:45a little mimey.
09:47You're seeing that on both ends right now.
09:50Both teams feeling like the others are flopping.
09:53But what I'm seeing is a lot of physical play from both these teams.
09:57And I like it.
09:58I think in the first half, they did a good job of letting a few things go.
10:03We saw a few hard hits, but then here, too, you're seeing them call and make sure that they have
10:08it under control.
10:09Ushkida now with 6 points, 3 of 3 from the free throw line.
10:13And that's one thing as a defender.
10:15You just want the calls to be consistent.
10:17And I will say, while it's been physical, it has felt rather consistent.
10:21We haven't seen too many ticky-tack fouls or ones where you're scratching your head as far as well.
10:26I don't see a lot of contact there.
10:28Makes it much easier as a defender to adjust your game.
10:31And just keep the flow of the game as well.
10:33The cut.
10:34Chen and Charles, a little miscommunication.
10:37Charles zigged while Chen thought she was going to zag.
10:41The ninth turnover of the game.
10:44And for Chen, she's had a few turnovers in this one.
10:48Keep this in mind, though.
10:49The Valkyries have done a much better job in the second half of protecting the ball.
10:54They had nearly seven turnovers in the first half.
10:57Mabry coming off a couple of screens.
10:59Defended by KT.
11:01Still just 0 for 1 from outside.
11:02Mabry flurry of moves.
11:04That's a travel.
11:06Oh, Mabry putting the passport to use.
11:08Good defense by the Valkyries.
11:12Kayla Thornton putting a body on her, making her think and not allowing anything easy as she tries to break
11:19her down and go into the paint here.
11:21Oh, yeah.
11:22The right foot picks up.
11:24That's hard when there's a lot of contact.
11:27You get knocked off balance sometimes.
11:29Chen flares a pass.
11:30Another turnover, unfortunately, for the Valkyries.
11:32But Chen comes back the other way.
11:34She'll be whistled for the foul.
11:37So the Valkyries with a five-point lead, 2-0-2 left here in the third quarter.
11:42This bench with 24 points, and Natalie Nakase would like a timeout to regroup.
11:49She's trying to signal timeout.
11:50Half the team has already passed half court, and the officials will grant said timeout.
11:55So offensively, last couple of possessions for the Valkyries.
11:58You've had some turnovers off some cuts and passes that haven't been quite connected.
12:03Certainly want to polish that up.
12:04Yeah, it's just some of the reads, right?
12:06Just not communicating with one another, whether it's verbally or just through your body language,
12:12making sure that you know where each other are going to be on the floor.
12:15And for Caitlin Chen, you're the floor manager out there right now.
12:18You've got to make sure that you take care of that basketball
12:21and just not make that extra pass when you see someone moving.
12:25Just be a little bit more patient with it.
12:28Well, how about the evenings for KT and Janelle Salon?
12:3231 points, but the three-point shooting.
12:36Seven of ten from beyond the arc, the two of them are.
12:40And when they're moving so well on the perimeter and the ball is touching the paint,
12:45that makes such a huge deal.
12:46But the numbers that are really staggering is when you look at the potential candidates
12:51for sixth player of the year, when we say no contest, there is truly no contest.
12:56Janelle Salon, 13.2 points per game, miles ahead of Sophie Cunningham and Kennedy Berg.
13:03You look at the made threes and also the rebounds, this is a no-brainer.
13:09Jordan, and it's not even just the points.
13:11It's the impact that you see that she makes on winning basketball throughout this season,
13:16where this team is in the standings.
13:18It's because of Janelle Salon coming off the bench, making an instant impact like a starter would
13:25from the start of a game.
13:27Janelle has been absolutely amazing this year.
13:30And Natalie Nkosé talked about it before the game as well, just saying how selfless she has been,
13:34making sure to get everyone else involved as well.
13:38B.B. back on the floor along with Kia Stokes, so the Valkyries make a couple of lineup changes
13:43with that timeout.
13:44Mabry defended by Stokes, gets it out to Conde.
13:47Mabry slows into a bit of a backward screen, and Conde able to get the three off.
13:52Yeah, a little weirdness right there as Tiffany Hayes was trying to come up on her,
13:57and she thought maybe Mabry was setting a legal screen.
14:00So Conde now with 17 points.
14:0311th mid-3 for the tempo, Hayes, again, strong take.
14:09Harrison whistle for the foul, and you see Sandy Brondello walk down the bench,
14:15making the motion that they have to go straight up on defense.
14:19And did Harrison go straight up here?
14:21Nope.
14:21And that's why Brondello coaching constantly.
14:27And that move all started with that first initial Iverson cut across that free-throw line.
14:33She's on the right side when she gets that ball, cuts back with the left,
14:38and when she puts the ball on the floor, gets fouled at the rim.
14:42Hey, seven points, three of five from the free-throw line.
14:46Her ability on this second act to get to the rim and break down defenders.
14:53Splits a pair.
14:54The lead is three.
14:5590 seconds left here in the third quarter.
14:58Burton picking up Rice.
15:00Full court.
15:01Conde comes over, sets the screen.
15:02Hayes switches on.
15:03Rice spinning.
15:04Out of control.
15:06That's a bit of a bailout call there.
15:09Oh, that one's...
15:10We'll see if Hayes got a little aggressive.
15:12That's a tough one.
15:13I guess Rice was so off-balance there.
15:15That's exactly what I felt there.
15:17And maybe Tiffany Hayes just came down a little bit too much.
15:20Oh, Valkyries are going to challenge this.
15:22Yeah.
15:22Yeah, they looked at the tablet.
15:27I don't know, Jordan.
15:28This one might be tough because I thought maybe she wasn't completely vertical there at the end.
15:33But I'm with you where I thought Kiki Rice was a little bit out of control.
15:36It's that left arm, maybe.
15:37I think the left arm makes contact with the right arm of Rice.
15:42Look at Hayes.
15:42That left arm.
15:43Oh.
15:44Ah, that looks like a lot of basketball, though.
15:46Hold up.
15:47Hold up.
15:48I love that we have so many angles.
15:50Let's see it one more time.
15:51Oh, no.
15:52Left right arm.
15:53We are just all over the board.
15:55We cannot make up our minds.
15:58I think from that last angle, you see contact with the left arm against the right forearm of Rice.
16:04It looked like from another angle that it was all ball.
16:06But no, it's exactly that.
16:08Her arm is coming down just a little bit.
16:10Not completely vertical on this last play.
16:14And Kiki Rice is also a good job of initiating contact going into Tiffany Hayes as well.
16:22If it stands against Hayes, that'll be just her second foul.
16:28For Rice, who had 16 points and obviously a larger responsibility on the floor last game with no Marina Mabry.
16:36She is scoreless in this one tonight.
16:39Just 11 bench points for the tempo.
16:42Valkyries with 25 bench points.
16:44Keep in mind, Valkyries, this bench, 35.9 points per game.
16:48That is on pace to be a WNBA record if it holds.
16:53So impressive.
16:54It goes back to the strength in numbers, everything we've seen from this team.
16:59When you have complete buy-in from every single person, the best player on the team, the starters, all the
17:05way down to the last person that might not even see a minute on the floor.
17:09You're just going to have a complete team in so many ways.
17:11And that's what we've seen from the Valkyries.
17:15Gary Payton Jr. in the crowd just signed a new deal with the Warriors.
17:20And he's doing the wave.
17:21The buy-in.
17:23From everybody here.
17:24And this is one thing I'll say about Valhalla.
17:26Valhalla, they waste no time getting into the wave.
17:30And the challenge is unsuccessful as they will wave in disgust at the officials after that.
17:37But we believe it was a foul after looking at video evidence.
17:41So Kiki Rice will go to the free throw line.
17:43Valkyries lose their challenge, though.
17:46And this is a one-possession game, so you certainly want to make note of that.
17:51Rice, one of five UCLA players drafted in the first round off that championship NCAA team, hits the first free
18:01throw.
18:01She's been so impressive.
18:03Obviously, tonight, more of a quiet night.
18:05But in that last game against the Valkyries, didn't even look like a rookie the way that she was attacking
18:11the basket
18:11and really being someone they could rely on.
18:15Rice hits them both.
18:16It's a one-point Valkyrie lead.
18:21BB defended by Rice.
18:23Here comes Hayes.
18:24Stokes will set the screen on Mabry.
18:26It's Harrison.
18:28And now they're going to get defensive three in the key against Toronto.
18:32So a gift of a free throw will come here for the Valkyries.
18:35I think Conde was coming over to help and just stayed there for a while as they didn't want to
18:40allow anything easy for Kia Stokes as she was trying to post up.
18:43Conde parking like a cone in the lane.
18:45That will give the free throw here for Veronica Burton.
18:48And off the heel.
18:52That's such a good line, too.
18:54That's what I get for trying to be funny.
18:55It's just I need to just stay in my lane.
18:57The basketball gods say, no!
19:01I liked it, Jordan.
19:02Valkyrie ball.
19:03Thank you so much, Morgan.
19:04Valkyrie ball on the sideline.
19:0614 to shoot.
19:061-10 left here in the third quarter.
19:08You see the Valkyries 10 of 16.
19:10But how about Toronto?
19:118 of 10 from the field in this third quarter.
19:15Valkyries looking for their second straight win.
19:17Their 21st of the season.
19:20Burton gets it back from Stokes.
19:21Burton sees three defenders closing on her.
19:23Four to shoot.
19:24VB has to try and break down Rice.
19:26VB fading away.
19:28Tough shot off the rim.
19:29Stokes controls the offensive rebound.
19:31Hayes.
19:32They get the tempo off balance.
19:33Hayes elevates.
19:35Can't connect.
19:36Mabry the rebound.
19:37Mabry looking down the floor.
19:39Flares a pass to Conde.
19:41Defense!
19:42Defense!
19:44Rice picks up the dribble.
19:46Defense!
19:4810 to shoot.
19:49Rice with Hayes defending.
19:53Harrison tries to go over Stokes.
19:55Misses it.
19:56Rebound Charles.
19:57Stays on the floor.
19:58Saves it to Hayes.
19:59At about 5 to 6 seconds.
20:01Separate shot and game clock.
20:03Valkyries will get a clean look here.
20:09Impressive the way Charles maintained their balance there to save the possession, I've got to say.
20:12Six to shoot here for Golden State.
20:14Stokes rolls off the screen.
20:16Another late shot clock.
20:17VB steps back.
20:19Three.
20:19In and out.
20:20Rebound Salon.
20:21Pulls it down.
20:22Hacked out by Mabry.
20:24Oh!
20:24Flex on him, Janelle!
20:29And what a moment.
20:31What a finish to this quarter.
20:35Veronica Burton finds a good look up top.
20:38Can't get to go.
20:40Salon staying with it.
20:42Stays so strong with that ball.
20:45Marina Mabry trying to rip her arms down, but no.
20:48She gets to the free throw line, gets the and-one opportunity.
20:5317 second chance points for the Valkyries.
20:57It's a four-point lead, two-point-nine remaining.
21:01Conde to Rice.
21:03Rice to try and beat the horn.
21:05Late shot.
21:06That'll smash off the backboard, and it's a four-point lead for the Valkyries.
21:10Hot shooting on both ends.
21:13Nobody safe here in Valhalla as the Valkyries trying to close this one out.
21:17Glassie have 18 second chance points.
21:19They also have 20 points off of 12 turnovers for the tempo.
21:24How do they maintain their consistent defense here in the fourth quarter?
21:27They have to make sure that they're just communicating, Jordan.
21:30You see that help defense.
21:31You see them rotate on a string.
21:33When everything's connected, that is when they're playing their best on that end of the floor.
21:3916 assists for the Valkyries this evening.
21:42And the poke away by Almond.
21:44She has had quick hands throughout this evening.
21:47Morrow, back to Almond.
21:49Conde for three.
21:50Well off the mark.
21:52Rebound Veronica Burton.
21:53Bit of a rough shot there.
21:54And the transition defense getting back after a mistake.
21:57Now you've got to take care of the basketball.
22:00Stokes down low.
22:01Has the advantage right over Conde for two more.
22:04Feed your big.
22:05As soon as Stokes was sealing her off, getting her the ball, and letting her just go to work.
22:11Saboli.
22:13And off to Conde with 17 points, three shy of her season high at the moment.
22:17Conde navigating a couple of screens.
22:19Oh, Hayes stole it.
22:20Up ahead.
22:21It's Salon.
22:22All alone at the rim.
22:31Timeout Toronto.
22:33Ballhalla is live.
22:36And the defense leading to offense.
22:40How many times are we going to say that this season?
22:42Right there.
22:43Kia Stokes getting fed in the middle.
22:50Conde leading the way for the tempo with 17 points.
22:52Three shy of her season high.
22:54The Valkyries 22 points off of 13 tempo turnovers.
22:58And Golden State racing out to an eight-point lead here to start the fourth quarter.
23:02Tied for their largest lead of the game.
23:05All mine.
23:06Looking for Conde.
23:07Cut off by VB on that last cut.
23:10Morrow over to Saboli.
23:12Shot clock at three.
23:13Valkyries looking to close out this possession.
23:15All mine.
23:16Has to flip it up.
23:17Nothing there.
23:17Valkyries bring it back the other way.
23:20Hayes.
23:21Over to Salon.
23:22The pump fake.
23:23Back to Hayes.
23:25I like it.
23:26Pull it out.
23:26Get something set up.
23:30Hayes.
23:31Saboli switches on to her.
23:33Stokes has got the mismatch.
23:34The catch.
23:35All they can do is Fowler.
23:37And right now the Valkyries have found Kia Stokes on a mismatch.
23:41Two out of the last three possessions.
23:42The spacing has been absolutely tremendous.
23:45Leaving that key wide open for Kia Stokes to just seal off.
23:49Her defender or even try and get that high pass to finish at the rib.
23:55Valkyries ball on the side.
23:58Charles Salon, Stokes, VB, and Hayes on the floor at the moment.
24:04Salon tied with KT for the team.
24:07High 18 points each.
24:09Hayes, the drive.
24:09She's too quick for you.
24:12Tiffany Hayes going strong to the basket.
24:15Putting the ball on the floor.
24:17When she gets explosive like that, there's no stopping her.
24:20Largest lead of the game for the Valkyries.
24:23Looking for the season sweep of the tempo.
24:25Inside.
24:26Morrow.
24:27Not today.
24:28Blocked away by Stokes.
24:29Valkyries forced the turnover.
24:32The help defense there.
24:34Veronica Byrne was never left alone.
24:37Janelle on the block trying to rip it away from Mabry.
24:40And that's going to be a foul or a jump ball.
24:45That's a foul against Mabry.
24:47Mabry demonstratively can't believe it.
24:50As soon as she found out it was going to be a foul, she was not happy with it.
24:53There's Tiffany Hayes on the offensive end, doing such a great job of just putting the ball
24:59on the floor and attacking.
25:01The third foul against Mabry.
25:05Back cut Hayes.
25:06That's going to be a foul on, I believe, Rice as Hayes was cutting.
25:10And right now, the Valkyries just slicing and dicing the tempo.
25:13And literally slicing across the middle of the paint right there.
25:18Hayes doing a good job moving without the basketball.
25:20You saw Salon looking to find her teammates, doing such a good job of being selfless like
25:26that.
25:26That pass, just a little bit too much into the knees of Hayes.
25:30It's the fifth foul against Rice.
25:34Salon up top for three.
25:36Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
25:38What a shot.
25:39That's the best sideline out-of-bounds play.
25:42Give it to Janelle Salon and let her shoot.
25:4513-point lead.
25:47Salon with 21 points.
25:49On the evening, Mabry the drive.
25:52Salon switches on to her.
25:54Mabry the pass, batted down by Hayes.
25:56Nothing easy against the Valkyries right now.
25:58Great defense denying that basketball.
26:01You see here, Janelle Salon sets one screen, pops out, knocks down the three.
26:06She had 26 points up north in Canada on the road against the tempo.
26:11Well, 24 points two days ago.
26:13She's got 21 this evening.
26:15Just lighting up the tempo this season is Janelle Salon.
26:18Rice.
26:19Oh!
26:20She wasn't aware of how much time was dwindling on the clock.
26:23The Valkyries ball.
26:24We've seen a few defensive possessions now late in this game.
26:28But that shot clock is winding down for the Toronto Tempo.
26:34Janelle Salon has four 20-point performances this season.
26:37Three of them have come against the tempo.
26:40And just look at the three-point shooting numbers as well, too.
26:43There is no answer from the tempo against Salon.
26:46And Almond just going to outrun everybody, gets a loose ball and some easy change at the rim.
26:52A miscommunication there with Stokes and Salon going after that loose ball.
26:56Just got to grab it.
27:00Just under seven minutes left in this ball game.
27:03Salon, the handoff to Hayes.
27:07Yushkaite defending Hayes.
27:09Salon in the corner.
27:10No hesitation off the back of the rim.
27:12Burton the rebound, able to keep her balance.
27:17Seven to shoot.
27:18Burton will wind up.
27:19Kicks it to Hayes.
27:20Pump fake.
27:21Rice in the spin cycle.
27:22Oh!
27:23Wow!
27:24Tiffany Hayes right to the cup.
27:26What a move.
27:28The footwork splitting the defenders at the basket to finish strong off the glass.
27:34Sabley the three.
27:35That will quiet this crowd down momentarily.
27:38Can't forget about her knocking down her third three of the game.
27:42Sabley with 19 points.
27:44Back-to-back 19-point performances from Yara Sabley.
27:51Salon, Yushkaite defending.
27:53Janelle step back, rolls out.
27:57Ten-point lead for the Valkyries.
28:00The tempo can come back in a flurry, though.
28:03Always have to be mindful.
28:05Sabley, corner three.
28:07No good.
28:07Gets the offensive rebound.
28:09Sabley has a foul on Salon, and Sabley will go to the free-throw line.
28:12And right now, Jordan, I don't want to see anyone slide off of Sabley at all.
28:19As we see Tiffany Hayes drive to the basket, doing such a good job of attacking the paint every single
28:25time down.
28:25But Sabley is feeling good from the outside.
28:29If she sees a shot, she's going to take it.
28:31And you saw Kia Stokes slide in there to help on that last one.
28:35She missed it, but it's still one of those dangerous moments that you want to make sure that you're just
28:40staying on Sabley.
28:41Sabley, seven and ten from the field.
28:44Nineteen points.
28:45The free-throw swirls out.
28:49KT and Gabby Williams checking in.
28:53Now the challenge with the Valkyries, Janelle Salon, the tallest defender on the floor right now, collectively, how do they
29:01slow down Sabley with this lineup?
29:03I think you've just got to be really strong with her, making sure you know where she is on the
29:07floor.
29:07If she's stretching the floor, you've got to be on her.
29:09You don't want to help.
29:10She's so consistent from three right now.
29:12But if she's coming on the inside, you've got to make sure you're playing some bullet ball back with her.
29:17Valkyries, five shooters, five ball handlers.
29:20They're spread out right now, opening up the driving lanes.
29:24Hayes, the drive.
29:25Hayes lost the handle.
29:26Sabley scoops it up.
29:27Hayes has to hustle back into the action.
29:29Sabley up ahead.
29:30Rice in the lane.
29:31Rice stepping through two.
29:33Too strong in the lane, but Sabley crashes in for the offensive rebound.
29:37Ushayda, strong take, and that's good for two.
29:40Eight-point lead for the Valkyries, and Coach Nekase will call timeout.
29:45Not a bad call at this moment with 5-0-1 left in this game.
29:49Efficient tonight.
29:50Eight of 12 from the field.
29:51Those four three-pointers made just bringing a different type of energy to this team.
29:5660% of her points are always a three-pointer shot, Jordan.
30:02She loves that three, and she's just done such a great job of doing it all tonight.
30:06And Coach Nekase had a great explanation as to why she's improved so much in year two.
30:12Oh, the way that she talked about Janelle in her rookie year, just saying that she had so much to
30:17learn.
30:18Being a selfless player and making sure to get everyone else involved and not having anything to prove.
30:23And now, she doesn't feel that way, and she's done such a better job making sure to play for everyone
30:28else.
30:28Shot clock at two.
30:30Gabby, step back three.
30:31She gets fouled on the shot.
30:34And that's an unfortunate mistake for the tempo in Ushayda.
30:38That will slow this game down, allow the Valkyries to catch their breath, and possibly extend this lead back into
30:44double digits.
30:45Yeah, big mistake, especially shot clock winding down.
30:50Valkyries having a tough time finding their way into the paint, but getting to the line.
30:55Gabby Williams, just 15 minutes of action this evening.
30:59Six points.
31:01Now up to seven.
31:05Well, Monday, August 17th, the Valkyries host the Dallas Wings and Jessica Shepard for the second time this season at
31:11Chase Center.
31:12Game tips at 7 p.m.
31:13Tickets on sale now at Valkyries.com.
31:19That's really a wonderful break for the Valkyries right there, because you are late in the shot clock,
31:24and just getting these points right now at this moment where it felt like the tempo was starting to get
31:30some momentum.
31:30You at least get the lead back to 10 here.
31:33And Gabby now just one point shy of 2,000 career points.
31:38Saboli in the paint.
31:39Fleury moves.
31:40Stokes.
31:40Oh, you can't fool her.
31:42Packs it out of bounds.
31:44Saboli has working her way inside, outside, all game long, but right there, going up against Kia Stokes.
31:51Does such a great job mirroring that basketball and getting it to go out of bounds.
31:56Stokes seven blocks against the tempo in the last two games.
32:00Mabry, the drive.
32:01Mabry working into traffic.
32:03Can't get it.
32:04Gabby can't secure the rebound.
32:07Bodies on the floor.
32:08This will be a timeout.
32:09Toronto.
32:10Sandy Brondello was quickly all over that to try and spare her rookie that almost had the ball ripped away.
32:17So Toronto will maintain possession.
32:19They'll burn the timeout.
32:21With 4-16.
32:23Got a very capable defensive lineup on the floor right now for the Valkyries.
32:28Absolutely.
32:29As you see here, trying to get that rebound.
32:32Gabby can't get control of it.
32:34Kiki Rice trying to stay with it.
32:36I don't think she had full control.
32:38I didn't think she did either, but timeout will be awarded to the tempo.
32:45And with how well Toronto has shot the ball this game, I will say, it feels like the biggest thing
32:51the Valkyries shut down was the ease of the ball movement on the perimeter from Toronto.
32:55We saw them really working it around the horn in that second quarter when they built the 13-point lead.
33:01Since then, the passes haven't been nearly as available.
33:03No, the Valkyries have done a really good job of just reading the game on a whole different level.
33:09The perimeter pressure has been there.
33:11The activity has been there, which has just really made the tempo think twice before making a pass.
33:17And making them indecisive is huge.
33:2115 turnovers by the tempo that have led to 25 points for the Valkyries.
33:26When you look at Veronica Burton, 7 assists.
33:30This team 13-1 when she goes north of 6 assists.
33:34Just in complete control of this game.
33:38Never rattled at any moment that goes down on the other end and gives you a hard-nosed defense as
33:43well, too.
33:44It's been a fantastic performance.
33:47Taking so many hits throughout this game, being able to stay up and stay with it.
33:53Tempo inbounded.
33:55Alman, Saboli, Mabry, Yushkaita, and Kondé on the floor for Toronto.
34:00Mabry, the fakes, and Stokes goes straight up.
34:04That'll be tempo ball, but no foul.
34:09Valkyries don't have a challenge remaining.
34:114.1 on the shot clock.
34:14Defensively, are you thinking switching everything here?
34:16They don't.
34:17They stay at home, Saboli.
34:19They inbounded it before he could answer, Morgan.
34:21Gabby keeps it alive to Stokes.
34:23VB contains the outlet pass.
34:26Under 4 minutes left.
34:28Valkyries with the 10-point lead.
34:30Looking for the season sweep of the Toronto Tempo.
34:37Hayes has that look in her eyes.
34:38Tacks the paint.
34:39KT whips it to Gabby for 3.
34:42Off the mark.
34:45But I like that ball movement, though, Jordan.
34:47Just swinging it around.
34:49Mabry sets her feet 0 for 2 from 3.
34:52She hasn't had very many looks, and when she's had them, they've been rushed.
34:55And that's what you want to see from this Valkyries defense.
34:58Oh, no.
34:58Are they saying that's blocked?
34:59I would say it was deflected off the hand of a Valkyrie as it came off the rim,
35:05and that's where, unfortunately, you would have loved to maybe have a challenge in your pocket.
35:09It goes that way sometimes, and it'll be Toronto ball.
35:13Saboli, step back, 3, rolls it in.
35:15It's a long 2.
35:16They ruled a long 2.
35:18And Saboli is someone you want to keep your eye on the defensive end for the Valkyries.
35:23You've got to make sure you have a hand up in her face.
35:26Hayes with Oman defending.
35:28Hayes, back to Gabby.
35:32Conde, Oman came over late.
35:34Hayes, the 3, off the mark.
35:37Stokes able to maintain it.
35:38Shot clock winding down.
35:40KT to try to beat it.
35:41Oh, what a fortuitous catch by Veronica Burton.
35:46The timing was absolutely perfect.
35:49Give KT the assist.
35:52Huge momentum basket there for the Valkyries.
35:56Conde juggled it.
35:59Mabry looking for the 3.
36:02Mabry, no good.
36:04Her tough shooting night continues.
36:064 of 11, just 12 points.
36:10Valkyries do such a good job on Mabry.
36:12They just are all over her.
36:15Not allowing anything easy.
36:17Hayes has to work to get open against Oman.
36:20VB, step back 3 off the front of the rim.
36:25The legs starting to get heavy for both teams.
36:28They've been playing with such intensity throughout this evening.
36:31Gabby takes away the 3 for Mabry.
36:33Mabry collapses to the ground after the contact with Hayes.
36:36And then Hayes has a few words after that.
36:39I love it.
36:41Two passionate players.
36:42Yep, the competitive fire right here.
36:44As you see Kayla Thornton on that big miss.
36:48But oh no, Veronica Burton right there to clean it up.
36:52Time it out perfectly as the shot clock was winding down to score on that possession.
37:00Mabry with Williams defending.
37:04Oman off the Sobeli screen.
37:06Stokes switches on to her.
37:08Sobeli wants to post up VB.
37:10Sobeli lowers the shoulder.
37:12Spins in.
37:12That is a late whistle against Veronica Burton.
37:17Stays on the floor.
37:19So it's a side out for the tempo.
37:22I thought Burton did a good job just popping that ball out.
37:25But she's had a few of those moments down low
37:27where the officials just feel different
37:30as she's going up against some of these bigs.
37:35Oman off the down screen.
37:37The drive.
37:39Swings it back up top.
37:40Sobeli will lower the shoulder.
37:43Burton looking to hold her ground.
37:44Got a hand on it.
37:45It forces the jump ball.
37:47Veronica Burton.
37:49Toughness personified.
37:51Wow.
37:53Sobeli was feeling confident.
37:54She put the ball on the floor and said,
37:57I'm going to take you all the way to the rack.
37:59Veronica Burton shadows that basketball.
38:01Stays with it.
38:02Oh, the discipline.
38:05The jump ball between Sobeli and Burton.
38:08Sobeli with the clear height advantage.
38:10It's 6'5".
38:11Over Burton at the listed.
38:165'9".
38:17If you're the Valkyries, you're just trying to beat the tempo
38:19to what may be this win, and there it is.
38:22Gabby Williams steps in front.
38:23KT fighting for it.
38:24Leather's on the ground.
38:25KT wrestles it away.
38:29Ball holla loves a one-jump ball.
38:32They're on their feet.
38:36I feel like this place will explode on the next bucket.
38:39Oh, yo, Gabby, Gabby.
38:42A little two-player action leading to a nice look
38:46for Gabby Williams to go all the way to the hole.
38:51Galloping.
38:52Gabby Williams now north of 2,000 points in her career.
38:56It's beautiful right there, Jordan.
38:59Just getting that dribble handoff from Tiffany Hayes,
39:03and you see the bench going wild for Gabby Williams
39:07after that score.
39:11One stat that jumps out at you is the 14 offensive rebounds
39:15for the Valkyries tonight.
39:1622 second-chance points.
39:18That's a season high in offensive rebounds.
39:21Time out on the floor.
39:231.32 left.
39:24Gabby Williams, 10.7 rebounds.
39:28Five Valkyries in double figures.
39:30This bench goes for 37 points.
39:31It's the same recipe.
39:33Night in, night out.
39:3512 made threes.
39:3620 assists.
39:38The shot-making, the ball movement, the strength in numbers.
39:42It is just a thing of beauty.
39:44Well, tickets on sale now,
39:45and the Valkyries host the Minnesota Lynx.
39:47Wednesday, August 19th at 7 p.m.
39:50Tickets available on Valkyries.com.
39:52That'll be a huge game.
39:54Coming up here against Minnesota later this month.
39:58We're focused on now.
39:59We're focused on the remaining 92 seconds, Morgan Reagan.
40:01We don't get ahead of ourselves here.
40:04We have a 10-point lead.
40:06I love what we're seeing, Jordan.
40:08It's everything you just said, too.
40:09With the ball moving, the shot-making ability.
40:13We're seeing this again night in and night out from this Valkyries team.
40:17And it's like you said, if you're a basketball fan, sure, you can point out certain possessions
40:23where you're just like, yes, that's pure, beautiful basketball.
40:26But we wanted to see them put together a complete game, and you're starting to see that.
40:32And they do such a good job of responding after not doing that.
40:35Both teams have shot the ball very well.
40:37They're shooting north of 45%.
40:39Valkyries have 12 made threes.
40:41Tempo 13.
40:41The difference has been the offensive glass.
40:44Valkyries have nine more shot attempts in this game than the tempo.
40:48Toronto just five offensive rebounds for seven second-chance balls.
40:52And it was something that they didn't do Sunday.
40:54Valkyries didn't do a great job with their offensive rebounding.
40:57They still had some second-chance opportunities and scored, but it was the offensive rebounding.
41:03They just have done a much better job pointing that out tonight.
41:08Almond, the catch, the drive, the quick lay-in for two.
41:13Nine-point lead still for the Valkyries, and now you're just wanting to hang on to the basketball
41:18and use some clock.
41:19You do, but you still want to play your game too, Jordan, because those quick scores can get scary late.
41:25Williams with Mabry defending.
41:27Eight to shoot.
41:29Stokes, thought about it for a moment.
41:31Stokes the drive, able to secure it to VB.
41:34Shot clock winding down.
41:35VB has to throw it up.
41:37Wow, that would have been unbelievable.
41:39Under a minute left, though.
41:41Nine-point deficit for the tempo.
41:43Yushkaita driving another quick lay-in.
41:46Seven-point lead for the Valkyries with 53.5 remaining.
41:50And the kickball there from Almond, and the question is, do the tempo start fouling now,
41:57or do they try to hold on one more possession defensively?
42:02I would hold on.
42:03Hold on another possession, especially you're seeing this backcourt pressure right here,
42:07doing such a good job rattling the Valkyries' offense right now.
42:11Even in that half-court set, Valkyries, you've got to keep playing your game.
42:14You have to keep attacking.
42:16Even if it's an early score into the shot clock, you've got to do it.
42:19You want to score.
42:2251.5 remaining.
42:23I believe the officials are having a conversation about the shot clock,
42:28which is obviously vital if you're Toronto.
42:32That would be a full 24.
42:35VB working to get open.
42:37Hayes has to get it in.
42:38And what a cut from Veronica Burden to pry herself free.
42:42Right now, it looks like Toronto wants to play straight up defensively.
42:45Gabby whips it back to Veronica Burden.
42:47No need to rush the shot here.
42:49KT up top.
42:50And then Mabry will finally come over and foul with 38 seconds remaining.
42:55And Golden State leading by seven.
42:57And that's what they were waiting for.
42:59They were waiting for that foul.
43:00There was a few moments there that I thought they missed the opportunity to just attack.
43:05But it turned out Toronto was ready to foul and send them to the line.
43:10I'll say this for Toronto.
43:11They have had to fight through so many injuries this season.
43:1513 different starting lineups.
43:17You're missing Brittany Sykes and her ability to put up close to 20 points a game.
43:22It's a huge void for any team.
43:24And for the tempo, the pieces will be there if they can stay healthy for Sandy Brandello and company.
43:31But this is where the depth of the Valkyries really shines.
43:35You've got so many different players that can come into this game and just put pressure on you.
43:39It's like you said, for the tempo, as they still try to find their identity, it's hard to do that
43:43when players are in and out.
43:45But you see that they're going to have the pieces going forward.
43:48How about Kayla Thornton, season high, 20 points, 6 of 10 from the field, 4 of 7 from 3.
43:55And this is just the unselfishness we talk about with the Valkyries.
43:59Kayla Thornton took one shot last game and played 11 minutes.
44:03And she was just as happy as everybody else when they win.
44:06Tonight, 28 minutes and 20 points.
44:08It is a special situation here.
44:11Coach Nakase has highlighted that.
44:13Everybody has just bought in to the mission here in Valhalla.
44:17And that's going to be out of bounds against the tempo as Alman is trying to poke it away from
44:21behind.
44:23It's pretty magical what can come out of basketball and an entire team when everyone has the same type of
44:30buy-in.
44:31Reset timeout from Coach Nakase because if you're the Valkyries, you would not have been able to run the baseline
44:36in that situation.
44:38And you're seeing that pressure being put on by the tempo.
44:41So these are late-game situations that the Valkyries really need to make sure that they're executing, doing a good
44:47job, and growing.
44:48As they want to get into the postseason, they're going to see a lot of these moments.
44:52And to your point, just learning to get the ball in the floor in a pressure-packed situation.
44:57Whether you're up 9 or whether you're up 1, you build that experience with this unit on the floor.
45:02As the foul will come up with 22.6 seconds remaining.
45:07Not just expecting the foul to come and making sure that you're still making things happen.
45:13Whether it's getting past the half-court line, getting open, getting your teammate open.
45:17You just got to keep on playing basketball at a high level late in these games.
45:22And for the Valkyries, you don't see that in some of these moments.
45:26And you see them lose it.
45:27Right now, they feel like they have a lot more control than we've seen before.
45:31Veronica Burton, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists.
45:36A well-rounded effort and the defensive capability of switching on to Saboli multiple times.
45:45And another offensive rebound fitting season-high 15 offensive rebounds.
45:528-second differential between shot and game clock.
45:55And the Valkyries will put the sword and shield away.
46:00And dump it off one last time.
46:02As they are just 7.4 seconds away from the season sweep against the Tempo.
46:08And we'll move into a tie for second place in the W.
46:12Another exciting game here at Valhalla.
46:16The bench doing such a great job contributing at such a high level.
46:22The fans up on their feet to finish off this one.
46:283-0 against the Tempo.
46:30And the Valkyries will make it two wins in a row.
46:33And their strength in numbers continues to carry them.
46:38Janelle Salah, 21 points.
46:39Kayla Thornton, 20.
46:41Burton, 12.
46:42Williams, 10.
46:43Hayes, 12.
46:4437 points off the bench.
46:46And it's yet another home victory here in Valhalla.
46:51The offensive rebounding.
46:54Doing such a great job.
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