SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries are back in the win column.
Golden State had lost two games in a row coming into Sunday night’s matchup with the Toronto Tempo, but the Valkyries overcame a second-half deficit to win 96-79. The Valkyries had won a franchise-record nine in a row before the consecutive losses.
But facing a Toronto team that was missing All-Star Marina Mabrey and recent trade acquisition Aneesah Morrow, Golden State shook off a midgame slump to seal the victory late to move into a tie with Las Vegas for the second-best record in the WNBA behind Minnesota.
Sunday marked the return of Gabby Williams, who started the All-Star game a week ago but was held out of the Valkyries’ loss Wednesday at Phoenix for “reconditioning.”
The Valkyries’ Janelle Salaun led all scorers with 24 points. Veronica Burton scored 17, while Williams and Tiffany Hayes each had 15.
Nyara Sabally led Toronto with 19 points. Kiki Rice scored 16 and Laura Juskaite added 15.
Toronto was without its All-Star Mabrey, who missed the game with a neck injury. Recent trade acquisition Morrow also missed the game due to return-to-play conditioning.
Despite being significantly shorthanded, Toronto was competitive for most of the game and held the lead for a good chunk of the second half. A late-third-quarter run put the Valkyries up 67-61 entering the fourth.
Then Golden State took control down the stretch, lengthening the lead early in the fourth to ensure a comfortable final five minutes.
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