Monique Billings set a new season-high with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting in the Valkyries' 90-81 loss to the Dream in Atlanta on Monday. The Valkyries led by as many as 12 points, but were unable to overcome several Dream runs, the latest a 17-4 game-sealing stretch. Turnovers plagued the Valkyries as they committed 21 compared to just 10 for the Dream. Billings paced five Valkyries who scored in double figures, while All-Star starter Allisha Gray scored a game-high 24 points to lead Atlanta's five double-digit scorers.

With the loss, Golden State dropped back to .500 at 9-9 and 0-2 on their current road trip. Atlanta improved to 12-7, holding the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

QUICK START FOR GOLDEN STATE
The Valkyries got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 10-2 lead. Kayla Thornton, who became the first undrafted player named a WNBA all-star since 2019 on Sunday, opened the scoring with a turnaround fadeaway jumper. Then Veronica Burton got into the act, sinking her first of three first-quarter 3-pointers without a miss. Former Dream forward Monique Billings scored the following five points with a trail three and a transition layup. Billings finished the frame with eight points and was a team-best plus-12 in her early minutes. 

BENCH STANDOUTS
The Valkyries' bench outscored the Dream's second unit 24-19. Kate Martin led the way with 11 points, including three straight 3-pointers in the second half. Serving as the second unit's primary ball handler, Kailtyn Chen added seven points, highlighted by a running hook shot over 6'3 center Brionna Jones. After receiving a DNP coach's decision in Minnesota, Laeticia Amihere was Golden State's primary big off the bench and contributed a strong all-around performance with four points, six rebounds and four assists. 

TWO MOST RECENT EXPANSION TEAMS HEAD-TO-HEAD
Monday's game marked the first head-to-head matchup between the two most recent WNBA expansion teams. The Dream joined the WNBA in 2008 and posted a 4-30 record in their inaugural season. Atlanta took a substantial leap in their second season, going 18-16 and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Valkyries have already more than doubled the Dream's debut record with nine wins and there is a lot of optimism for what they can accomplish this season and beyond. 

UP NEXT
The Valkyries head to Indiana to battle Caitlin Clark's Fever on Wednesday at 9 a.m. PT. Clark has missed the Fever's last five games with a groin injury but Head Coach Stephanie White is hopeful she will return to the lineup for Wednesday's game. Wednesday's game has a much earlier start time than usual and fans can tune in at KPIX (Bay Area), KOVR (Sacramento) or NBA TV (National).