Gabby Williams Leads Valkyries to Fourth Consecutive Victory Over Wings

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gabby Williams delivered an impressive performance with 25 points as the Golden State Valkyries claimed their fourth straight win by defeating the Dallas Wings 91-80 on Wednesday evening. Kaitlyn Chen played a significant role off the bench, contributing 15 points against her former UConn teammates, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd.

For the Wings, Arike Ogunbowale led the scoring with 21 points, while Jessica Shepard showcased her skills by making all five of her initial shots, finishing the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Bueckers faced challenges with her shooting, going 5 of 13 for 15 points, complemented by eight assists. Fudd struggled as well, managing just 10 points on 4 of 13 shooting.

A notable moment occurred in the final minute when Veronica Burton and Bueckers collided while pursuing a loose ball, both players hitting the floor hard but managing to get back up. Burton recorded 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Kayla Thornton added 11 rebounds for the Valkyries. Janelle Salaun and Tiffany Hayes contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, helping the bench score a total of 43 points.

The Wings started strong, shooting 11 for 17 in the first quarter to take a quick 26-17 lead. However, their performance dipped significantly in the second quarter, where they only managed to hit 2 of 15 shots, trailing 44-33 at halftime. This game followed a dominant 96-66 victory over the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces just days earlier.

Fudd made her first professional appearance at Chase Center, home to her friend Stephen Curry, who has been supportive during her recovery from knee surgery. Before the game, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase praised Chen for providing valuable insights regarding her former teammates, which helped shape their strategy.

Looking ahead, the Wings will host the Chicago team on Saturday, while the Valkyries are set to face Minnesota on Friday night.