Los Angeles Sparks and Valkyries Golden State met in the WNBA on September 25th, and it was the visitors who came away with a 76-75 win. By then the table tells you everything you need to know — Valkyries sit second with 31 wins from 43 games, while Sparks are sixth with 16 victories and 27 defeats. Such a narrow margin in a game between sides that far apart in the standings.
Sparks drew first blood and built a 16-point advantage at one stage, but Valkyries were never far behind, their biggest lead sitting at just six points. The hosts never got out of second gear once they fell behind, and the game swung back and forth without either side pulling clear. Cup football has its own rules, but this was league basketball — every possession mattered.
The numbers tell a story of two different approaches. Sparks shot 28 from 68 field goals and hit nine three-pointers, while Valkyries managed 27 from 69 but relied more on the free-throw line, converting 17 of 21 attempts. Valkyries won the battle at the rim with 42 points in the paint compared to 32, and they also took more offensive rebounds — nine versus six. The assist figures were revealing too: 22 for Sparks, 13 for Valkyries.
That result keeps Valkyries firmly in contention at the top of the table, six points clear of third place with 12 losses still on their record. Sparks remain in the mix for a playoff spot but the gap is opening. They have lost three of their last five, including that heavy 97-77 defeat to Dallas, while Valkyries have won four of their last five outings.
The visitors picked up two bookings in the defensive end — not literally, but you get the idea. Technical fouls on both sides, 18 for Sparks and 20 for Valkyries, and it added up to a game where free throws made the difference. Valkyries finished with 12 second-chance points to 16 for the hosts, but those extra possessions at the stripe were enough.
