PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 22: Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Fire on September 22, 2026 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jaden Coleman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Notebook from 90-82 loss against Portland

PORTLAND — For a few hours, it seemed like the Valkyries might have a real shot at the top seed in the WNBA playoffs. Minnesota had lost to Indiana, opening the door for Golden State to sweep their end of season road trip and get home court throughout if the Lynx were to lose on Thursday.

Then, Golden State lost a 17-point lead and some of their weaknesses were, as head coach Natalie Nakase said, exposed.

“I think it just exposes us in terms of our execution in every possession,” Nakase said. “I thought a couple possessions for us just completely just were not intentional on what we're trying to execute. So to me, we're gonna watch a lot of film, because sometimes they don't understand. From my perspective, I see something completely different than they do. So, just again, like putting more into it, being a little bit more mindful as a collective and not individually.”

Nakase said there would be no minutes restrictions for the World Cup returners before the game, and that was true; all three had around their average minutes or more with Gabby Williams playing 41 minutes (while shooting 6-for-19) while Janelle Salaun played 20 off the bench and Cecilia Zandalasini had 18.
Golden State began the game on a 17-0 run in the first 6:40 of the first quarter, but the Fire became the second team in WNBA history to win a game after allowing at least the first 17 points, according to ESPN.