SAN FRANCISCO — When a team nearly gives away double-digit leads in consecutive games, the response usually reveals everything about its character. For the Golden State Valkyries, that response came Thursday night in the form of a 78-58 demolition of the Los Angeles Sparks — a game that looked nothing like the shaky wins over Phoenix and Seattle that preceded it.
The difference? According to star forward Gabby Williams, it was a simple reckoning.
“Effort is something you have to bring,” Williams said after the game. “It’s not really something that you can draw on the board or write up or whatever. So it didn’t really take much to examine. All we needed was just kind of that wake-up call from that game. Wake-up call from Coach Nat and the staff, and to ourselves as well. We were disappointed in ourselves, so that’s all it took for us to kind of light the fire under us tonight.”
Defense Drives the Dominance
That fire showed from the opening tip. Golden State’s defense suffocated the Sparks, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition buckets with the kind of consistency that had been missing. Williams led the charge with 16 points on 8-of-16 shooting while drawing the primary defensive assignment on Sparks guard Kelsey Plum — and holding the All-Star to just nine points on 3-of-10 shooting, well below her 26.6 points-per-game average.
“This is kind of the team that I envisioned with that type of defensive tenacity,” head coach Natalie Nakase said. “Picking up 94 feet, having that energy, but maximizing their energy. There was nothing left in the tank, and that’s what I saw today, like hands on their knees, dying… our players played with max effort, and that’s what I like to see. Hopefully, we can do that consistently.”
Kaila Charles Provides the Spark Off the Bench
Kaila Charles delivered another high-energy performance off the bench, posting 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and a plus-15 plus/minus. Nakase credited Charles for setting the tone.
“Kai brings a different level of energy. Her energy, to me, was super infectious. That’s why we kept punching, because of her effort and energy.”
Even when the Sparks cut the lead to 12 late in the third quarter — a moment that felt dangerously familiar — the Valkyries held firm. Williams knocked down key baskets. Charles grabbed critical rebounds. And Golden State never let Los Angeles get closer, closing out a win over a team that had been playing well coming into Ballhalla.
What’s Next for Juste Jocyte?
One storyline that continues to bubble beneath the surface is the development of Lithuanian rookie Juste Jocyte, who again saw only garbage-time minutes. Nakase explained before the game that the team is working to develop Jocyte as a point guard — not her natural position — and is focused on turning her into a vocal leader.
“It’s not that hard because she talks all the time, like in conversation, it’s just being a little bit louder,” Nakase said. “And what I like about Juste is she takes on whatever challenge I give her. I actually had her draw up a couple plays today. Her attention to detail is very impressive, and her calmness about her when she does go over plays is something different.”
Nakase described Jocyte’s demeanor as a contrast to teammates like Veronica and Caitlin, who play at 100 mph. “Where Juste brings a different calmness to us. So I’m excited to really work with her and evolve with her,” Nakase added.
For now, the Valkyries have the blueprint for what they can be when the energy is right. The question — as Nakase acknowledged — is whether they can replicate it night after night.
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