Valkyries Surrender 17-0 Lead in Overtime Loss to Fire
WNBA Golden State Valkyries

Valkyries Surrender 17-0 Lead in Overtime Loss to Fire

Published on September 23, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Golden State Valkyries News Release


The Valkyries scored the game's first 17 points but were unable to hold on, falling to the Portland Fire in overtime 90-82 at Moda Center on Tuesday. Former Valkyries guard Carla Leite had the dagger 3-point play in overtime as Golden State was outscored 13-5 in the bonus period. The Valkyries had their five-game winning streak snapped and lost out on a chance at the first seed in the 2026 WNBA playoffs. They will be either the second or third seed depending on the results of Thursday's regular season finale.

Gabby Williams paced the Valkyries with 17 points and played 41 minutes in her first game back from the FIBA World Cup. Veronica Burton had a complete floor game with 13 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 37 minutes.

VALKYRIES OPEN GAME WITH 17-0 RUN, FORCE SIX-MINUTE SCORING DROUGHT

The Valkyries dominated the opening minutes of Tuesday's game, scoring the first 17 points, tied for the fifth-largest scoring run to begin a game in WNBA history. Golden State held the Fire scoreless for the first 6:40, the ninth-longest scoring drought in league history. Neither team scored in the game's first two minutes before Veronica Burton got on the board with a 3-pointer. Cecilia Zandalasini added a 3-pointer on the next possession, and from there the floodgates opened. Eight different Valkyries scored in the opening quarter, with Kayla Thorton leading the way with six points. Portland mustered just 10 points in the frame on 15 shots, while Golden State had 24 points on 16 shots.

FIRE RESPOND AND TAKE SECOND-QUARTER LEAD

The Fire were relentless in the second quarter, methodically chipping away at the Valkyries' lead before taking their first lead of the game, 37-35. The Valkyries had a lengthy scoring drought of their own, which Portland capitalized on. Golden State regained the advantage by halftime with a 4-point play that put them up 40-37. However, a game that was once a blowout became tightly contested in the second half.

BACK-AND-FORTH BATTLE HEADS INTO OVERTIME

After an even third quarter and falling behind in the fourth, the Valkyries pulled ahead with a 12-2 fourth-quarter run. Gabby Williams hit a go-ahead 3-pointer from the left corner, assisted by Veronica Burton, her eighth assist of the night. Then, Williams came up with a steal, and a 3-on-1 advantage in transition led to a Kaila Charles layup. Tiffany Hayes capped the run with a 3-pointer from the opposite corner, which forced a Fire timeout. Portland regained momentum after the timeout, as an and-1 finish by former Valkyrie Carla Leite emphasized a 9-0 response that regained the Fire's lead. Williams executed the front end of the 2-for-1 perfectly, tying the score with a lefty layup, but she couldn't convert the game-winning shot for Golden State on the final possession, sending the game into overtime.

HIGH POSTSEASON STAKES IN PORTLAND

With the loss, the Valkyries are unable to claim the top seed in the WNBA playoffs, meaning they will either be the second or third seed depending on the result of Thursday's season finale. Golden State can clinch the second seed with a win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday which would guarantee themselves home-court advantage in at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. Tickets for the first round of the 2026 playoffs are on-sale now and fans have an opportunity to witness the first Valkyries playoff game at Chase Center on Sunday - last year's home playoff game was played at the SAP Center in San Jose due to a scheduling conflict.

UP NEXT

The Valkyries will conclude the 2026 regular season facing the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 23, 2026


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