The Golden State Valkyries set a franchise record with 18 made 3-pointers in their 95-77 Commissioner's Cup victory over the Portland Fire at Chase Center on Tuesday. Kayla Thornton rained in a team-best five 3-pointers leading the charge as eight different Valkyries made at least one triple. Thornton tied a season-high with 19 points, while Janelle Salaün added 18 points and three 3-pointers. Twelve of the Valkyries' 3-pointers came in the first half as they built up a lead as large as 22 points. However, the Fire would make the game competitive by beginning the fourth quarter on an 11-1 run and pulling within eight points. Golden State would have an answer though, doubling up Portland 20-10 the rest of the way to seal the win. The Valkyries doubled up the Fire's 3-point total, 18-9, meaning they had a 27-point advantage from behind the arc.

“I think when our defense kind of creates transition, then we can flow into these open threes because it's hard to match up to us when we're maintaining space," Head Coach Natalie Nakase shared postgame. "I think our offensive rebounds also generate open threes, because it's very similar to transition defense when you're matching up, so just extra effort tonight on the boards.

THORNTON’S EARLY 3-POINT TOUCH
Kayla Thornton scored nine of the Valkyries’ first 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Thornton opened with a corner three and a few minutes later, hit another in the same corner. Already in rhythm, she drifted to the left wing, draining her third catch-and-shoot triple. Thornton ended the quarter in double figures, leading all scorers with 11 points. By halftime, she had drained four 3-pointers, giving her back-to-back games with at least four 3-pointers for the first time in her career. 

"I think KT [Kayla Thornton] did a great job leading tonight,” Nakase said.

"In Ballhalla, anytime you score, they go crazy and I think that amps us up even more," Thornton said about feeding off the energy of the home crowd.

JOCYTĖ EARLIEST SUB IN, QUICK TO CONTRIBUTE
Head Coach Natalie Nakase subbed Justė Jocytė into the game faster than she ever has, inserting her at the four-minute mark of the opening quarter. Jocytė has been highly productive in her opportunities, as Nakase manages her workload as she’s just a few games into her WNBA career. Jocytė kept up her strong play by opening the second quarter with a pair of consecutive 3-pointers. She had made at least one 3-pointer in each of her three games played and kept the streak alive with her first game with multiple hits from downtown. 

VALKYRIES GO ON 16-2 2ND QUARTER RUN 
The Valkyries broke the game open in the second quarter, going on a 16-2 run to extend their three-point lead all the way to 17. Cecilia Zandalasini’s electric four-point play really got Ballhalla rocking as she drained a 3-pointer while drawing a flagrant foul. Zandalasini knocked down the technical foul shot and the Valkyries retained possession. Kiah Stokes capitalized on the extra possession and drained a 3-pointer, which was then followed up by a steal-and-score from Gabby Williams. During the run, Golden State reached double-digit 3-pointers in a half for the first time in franchise history and by halftime, their franchise record (12 3PM) fell just one short of a WNBA record. 

CHEN’S THIRD QUARTER BUZZER BEATER
Kaitlyn Chen beat the third-quarter buzzer with a highlight-reel off-balance layup. Chen caught the ball with her feet still within the Valkyries’ half-court logo and less than three seconds remained. She swiftly got to the rim in three dribbles and used enough touch to guide the ball over the outstretched arms of her defender, off the glass and in the basket just before the buzzer sounded. 

WELCOME BACK, CARLA LEITE
Former Valkyrie standout Carla Leite played her first game in Ballhalla as an opponent, taken by the Fire in the expansion draft. Leite received a tribute video for her contributions to a historic inaugural season, during which she was also a WNBA rookie. Leite played 24 minutes for the Fire on Tuesday, scoring 10 points and dishing out a team-high seven assists. She also made all six of her free throw attempts. 

UP NEXT
The Valkyries continue Commissioner’s Cup play, visiting the Lynx in Minnesota on Thursday. 

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