Golden State Took the Champs to the Brink—and Lost. But Damn, That Felt Real

This was not a typical game between an expansion team playing against a reigning WNBA champion.

This was a lot different than the typical “moral victory” and getting bulldozed by a juggernaut.

This game between the New York Liberty and the Golden State Valkyries was sweat-beading, crowd-screaming, “wait, they might actually pull this off” basketball type of game.

After the smoke cleared, the New York Liberty are still unbeaten, after defeating Golden State 82–77.  The Liberty did not have Jonquel Jones for this contest and it did not matter. Sabrina Ionescu played in her typical fashion dropping 24 points and hitting six three pointers along the way.

MVP candidate Breanna Stewart drew blood with 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks, shooting 50% from the floor and iced the game with two cold-blooded free throws. But the defending champs didn’t waltz out of Barclays.

They limped.

One Game, Two Programs, Infinite Vibes

Tuesday’s blowout looked like a coronation.

Thursday was a war.

The Valkyries weren’t just in it—they had the Liberty dead to rights.

The issue was when they were down one with 90 seconds left, they bricked three straight threes, got hit with a five-second call, and just like that, the moment was gone in sixty seconds.

Still, it was the best damn five-point loss you’ll ever see this week.

 

“Today showed us what our standard can be,” Monique Billings said afterward. “Today we fought. No moral victories, but I think we left it all out there… we reach a good point where it’s like ‘let’s build off this.’”

Speaking of buidling, Rookie Janelle Salaün has been building on her extensive resume all season. The rookie forward looked like she’s been in the WNBA before. Salaün battered the glass, chased every loose ball like it owed her money, and finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

 

“We were more aggressive,” Salaün said. “I think that made all the difference… we played well together and we’re going to get even better, so that’s good for the future.”

Billings backed her up like a vet should.

 

“Being a rookie in this league, it’s not easy. She’s really shined. I’m proud of her playing at such a high level.”

And she’s not wrong. Salaün was everywhere. She wasn’t scared of Stewie. Instead she was battling the former MVP to the end of the contest.

Salaün was not scared of the lights.

She lived in the moment.

Natalie Nakase Has a Real Team on Her Hands

Don’t let the loss fool you—this was Natalie Nakase’s signature night so far as a head coach. Nakase has her Golden State squad believing.

 

“We want to win every game,” she said. “With that expectation, we’re obviously going to be disappointed… short term pain for long term results… we took so many positives from this game.”

Nakase praised Kennedy Burke for getting downhill and giving a “big guard” look that rattled Golden State’s paint protection. She praised her team for executing a gameplan “pretty much to a tee.”

 

“I gave the girls a ton of credit on how they responded,” she said. “I’m really proud.”

So… What’s Next?

The Liberty are 5–0.

They still feel inevitable.

But they looked mortal Thursday night.

The Valkyries are 2–3 and climbing. This wasn’t some fluke where New York fell asleep. Golden State pushed them to the edge.

 

“We’re still getting our chemistry, trying to figure each other out,” Billings said. “We def got some good chemistry and synergy going tonight. It’s just going to take some more time.”

Maybe the Liberty stay perfect.

Maybe Stewie wins MVP again.

But no one’s laughing at the Valkyries anymore.

Not after this.