Jun 9, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots the ball in opposition to Golden State Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo (35), ahead Kayla Thornton (5) and middle Temi Fagbenle (14) within the first half at Crypto.com Area. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures
Kayla Thornton and Tami Fagbenle every recorded a double-double whereas main the visiting Golden State Valkyries to an 89-81 extra time win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday.
Thornton put an exclamation level on her 18-point, 11-rebound efficiency within the closing minute of the additional interval when she got here up with a board in visitors whereas Golden State nursed an 84-81 lead.
On the following possession, Los Angeles defenders tried to entice Carla Leite off of a pick-and-roll. Thornton popped to the left wing and was wide-open for a clutch 3-pointer when Leite discovered her with a high-arcing cross.
Thornton’s triple with 38.6 seconds left successfully put away a second consecutive win for the enlargement Valkyries (4-5).
Fagbenle completed with 14 factors, a game-high 13 rebounds, 4 steals and 4 blocked photographs, whereas Janelle Salaun led Golden State with 21 factors.
Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum led all scorers with 24 factors, and he or she got here inches away from ending the sport in regulation.
Plum created a very good look within the paint simply earlier than the buzzer, driving into the paint off of a pump-fake from the highest of the important thing. Her floater fell brief, and Thornton secured the rebound to make sure extra time.
Los Angeles (3-7) managed only one discipline purpose within the additional body, which got here on a Plum jumper. Plum additionally dished a game-high seven assists.
Dearica Hamby was the one different Sparks participant to attain in double figures, posting 20 factors. She added a team-high 9 rebounds.
5 Golden State scorers reached double figures, with Leite going for 15 factors off the bench and Monique Billings including 10 in reserve obligation. Veronica Burton added one other 9 factors for Golden State, with seven coming on the free-throw line.
Burton’s lone made discipline purpose got here early within the extra time to provide Golden State the lead for good after Los Angeles struck first on an Azura Stevens free throw. The Valkyries restricted Stevens to only six factors on 1-of-7 capturing from the ground.
The competition was a part of the Commissioner’s Cup, with Golden State bettering to 2-2 whereas Los Angeles slipped to 1-2.
–Area Stage Media
