In a game that celebrated the spirit of competition, the expansion Golden State Valkyries pushed the reigning champion New York Liberty to the edge at Chase Center—but ultimately came up three points short, with the final score reading 81‑78. It was a battle defined by late-game heroics, emerging stars and near-misses that make for the kind of basketball drama every fan eats up.
From the outset, the Valkyries owned the first quarter. Their sharpshooting bench erupted for six three-pointers—helped by Tiffany Hayes’s pair of bombs, Stephanie Talbot’s one, and contributions from Chloe Bibby and Veronica Burton—building a 32‑29 lead after ten minutes . It was a strong statement from a team that had struggled to build consistent form.
New York answered in the second quarter behind Breanna Stewart, who dropped 21 of her eventual 23 points before halftime. The Liberty closed the half with an 11‑2 burst to lead 46‑43 at the break . Stewart’s dominance inside and Kennedy Burke’s scoring off the bench (20 points by night’s end) underscored New York’s depth .
The tension ratcheted through a back-and-forth third quarter where both teams matched blows. Marine Johannes’s back-to-back threes gave the Liberty a brief edge, but Golden State’s resilience—anchored by timely baskets from Kayla Thornton and teammates—kept the score tight .
It was the fourth quarter that defined the evening. Rookie Kate “Money” Martin erupted for a career-high 21 points, drilling four crucial threes in the final frame to account for all 12 of Golden State’s points during a dramatic late‑game rally . Martin’s corner to corner shooting cut the Liberty’s lead to just one with 12 seconds left, setting up a potentially game-tying shot .
But with nerves of steel, Sabrina Ionescu stepped up. In her Bay Area homecoming at Chase Center, she battled through a rough shooting night (1-for-11 from the field) and a stiff neck to deliver seven clutch free throws in the final two minutes, sinking eight of eight attempts overall. She also scooped a pivotal steal from Tiffany Hayes with 45 seconds left, sealing the Liberty’s hold on victory .
Reserve guard Veronica Burton delivered a masterclass as a facilitator, dishing out 10 assists without a turnover—her second double‑digit assist performance this month. On the Liberty side, Stewart finished with 23 and 10 rebounds, cementing another double‑double. Burke’s 20 off the bench added punch late .
But this night belonged to Martin, whose explosive performance revealed her potential as a cornerstone of the Valkyries’ future. Coach Natalie Nakase praised her timing, shot selection, and poise, viewing Martin’s late‑game outburst as proof that Golden State can grow into a team unafraid of big moments .
Still, the loss puts the Valkyries in a challenging spot. Golden State turned the ball over 23 times—an all-too-familiar issue that plagued them throughout the game, fueling Liberty fast breaks and swinging momentum ‑ and did so again against a top-tier opponent . As Nakase acknowledged afterward, the team must tighten its grasp on possession and live scrimmage rhythm in order to consistently compete at the highest level .
Natalie Nakase’s leadership was on display in both triumph and tone. She acknowledged the sluggish first-quarter start—preferring rest in practice over live rhythm—and promised to better balance preparation moving forward . Her players followed suit; Burton and Thornton echoed her commitment in postgame comments, rejecting excuses and doubling down on accountability .
For the Liberty, this win felt less like a crisis and more like a testament to championship grit. They had dropped three of four before the trip here, but this performance reinforced their toughness. Stewart set the tone early; Ionescu overcame adversity late; and Burke and Johannes came through when needed . Coach Sandy Brondello praised Ionescu’s composure, noting that “some people have on nights… but we all make a collective difference”.
New York holds an 11‑3 record and continues to top the Eastern Conference, while Golden State slips to 7‑7. But the impact goes deeper: the Liberty see they’re battle-tested and versatile; the Valkyries understand they can compete on any stage if they cut down turnovers and maintain poise through pressure.
Looking ahead, the Valkyries return home for a Pride Celebration showdown with the Chicago Sky, eager to convert this heartbreak into a springboard. Their sold-out crowds, growing bench depth and strong culture suggest they’ll thrive if mistakes are restrained. The Liberty head onward on a tough road trip—to Phoenix next—sending a message that even on the road, this is a team built to finish.
If this game is any indication, both franchises are trending upward. New York solidifies its claim to excellence through composure and collective firepower. Golden State flashes its upside through spirited effort, bench emergence and raw potential. For Kate Martin and her teammates, it’s a night of proving they’re more than expansion—they’re contenders.
In fewer than 90 minutes, the Chase Center served up a storybook of WNBA basketball: shooting, drama, redemption, heartbreak. For the Liberty, another hard-fought win. For the Valkyries, evidence of a bright horizon—just a pass, a cut, a shot shy of seismic history. On nights like this, every detail counts. And they will.
