Valkyries go up big, hold off Sparks' late rally

Cecilia Zandalasini scored 15 points and Tiffany Hayes added 14 as the Golden State Valkyries continued their surge with a 84-78 road victory over the host Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.

Gabby Williams and Kayla Thornton each scored 11 points as the Valkyries (23-9) extended their winning streak to four games. Golden State, in second place in the overall WNBA standings, improved to 13-2 since June 24 and matched its win total from its debut season in 2025.

Zandalasini made a 3-pointer in the opening minute of the game and Golden State never trailed while improving to 2-0 against Los Angeles this season.

Nneka Ogwumike scored 16 points and Erica Wheeler added 15 as the Sparks (12-19) fell to 2-2 since star guard Kelsey Plum was traded to the Phoenix Mercury. Los Angeles is 2-8 since July 13.

Dearica Hamby scored 12 points for Los Angeles, which shot 45.7% from the floor (32 of 70) while Golden State shot 46.4% (32 of 69).

Trailing 47-66 with 9:36 remaining, the Sparks stormed back into the game. A 13-2 run pulled them within 68-60 with 5:27 remaining on a jumper from Wheeler. It was the first time Los Angeles was within single digits since the second quarter.

A personal 4-0 run from Ogwumike got the Sparks within 71-67 with 3:21 remaining

After a Valkyries shot-clock violation, Ariel Atkins made a 3-pointer for the Sparks to cut the deficit to a single point at 71-70 with 2:18 left. Los Angeles had a chance to take the lead with just over a minute remaining but turned the ball over on a fast break.

Golden State took advantage on a bank shot inside from Williams to lead 76-73 with 1:03 left. After Ogwumike missed a 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining, Janelle Salaun sealed the victory on a 3-pointer with 34 seconds left for a 79-73 advantage.

The Valkyries led 45-32 at halftime behind 12 points from Zandalasini and 54.5% shooting (18 of 33) as a team.

--Field Level Media