Takeaways: Atlanta’s size, physicality was too much for Valkyries

SAN FRANCISCO — After a four-game winning streak in which the Valkyries utterly dominated their opponents, the expansion team came back down to Earth on Sunday night. 

Facing the physical and skilled Atlanta Dream, the Valkyries suffered their worst home loss since their season opener in a 79-63 defeat. 

Golden State was out-rebounded 38-27 and allowed 38 points in the paint – nearly 10 points higher than its average. The Valkyries shot lights out from the 3-point line in their last four wins, but managed to hit just 24.1% of their 3s on Sunday. 

“They are a very physical team,” forward Cecilia Zandalasini said. “They played a very good game, put us in trouble. But we cannot rely only on our three-point percentages. We’ve got to do better when teams are so physical with us.”

The loss knocked the Valkyries to seventh in the standings, a half game behind the Indiana Fever with 10 games remaining. 

Here are three takeaways from Sunday’s loss:

Size is a weakness

The Valkyries were helpless against the Dream’s post players in the second half. 

While Golden State mostly kept center Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner in check for the first two quarters, Atlanta’s size and physicality wore on the Valkyries as the game went on. 

Jones finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, four of those boards coming on the offensive glass. Even when Jones didn’t get a good look at the basket, she wreaked havoc on Valkyries centers Temi Fágbénlé and Iliana Rupert, which created perimeter shots for the Dream’s sharpshooting wings.

Backup center Monique Billings is set to be reevaluated this week on her ankle sprain she suffered over two weeks ago and could help bring another needed body to the front court rotation. 

Martin creeping back into rotation

Guard Kate Martin has had an up and down season. 

While the former Iowa standout has had her moments, she has been mostly inconsistent with her 3-point shot, hitting just 31.4% on just over four attempts per game. 

But against the Dream, Martin found other ways to stay on the floor. 

She grabbed two big offensive rebounds in the first half that led to scores. She came off the bench and made three of her six shot attempts in 21 minutes of action – the most she played since she logged 25 minutes in a blowout loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Aug. 3. 

“Kate’s always ready to go, whether she comes off the bench first or second or third,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “We know a player like that is going to bring a spark, gonna bring energy, gonna bring toughness, gonna bring fight, gonna bring communication. We’re just really lucky that Kate will always fight no matter what, no matter the score.”

Rupert injury update

Rupert left the game in the third quarter after appearing to take a blow to the face while fighting for a rebound with Jones.

She did not return and the Valkyries announced that she was placed in concussion protocol.

Nakase said Rupert was in good spirits following the loss. 

“She was smiling after the game, so she looked fine,” Nakase said.