Iliana

Rupert

Although Iliana Rupert earned the start after Temi Fágbénlé (knee) was a late scratch on Wednesday, it was Billings who had the greatest impact in the frontcourt for Golden State on Wednesday. She led the team in scoring and was steady on the offensive end throughout. Billings and Rupert ultimately alternated fourth-quarter minutes in the loss and had their own key baskets down the stretch, including Billings’ putback layup with under two minutes remaining to give the Valkyries their final lead of the game. Despite coming up short, Billings ends her season strongly, tallying her third-highest scoring output of the year.

Fagbénlé was a late scratch on Wednesday, as she was ruled out just before Wednesday’s Game 2 tipoff, and was replaced in the Valkyries’ opening lineup by Iliana Rupert. Fagbénlé had tallied 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists in the Game 1 loss — her absence will leave Golden State’s frontcourt noticeably thinner. Expect Rupert and Monique Billings to see more minutes than usual in Fagbénlé’s absence.

Tuesday’s game was the first for Zandalasini since August 17, and she was on a minutes restriction. With the playoffs on the horizon, the Valkyries’ priority for her was likely to give Zandalasini enough time to shake off the rust. Also, they’ll have Thursday’s game against the Lynx to get her more time. Iliana Rupert remained in the starting lineup on Tuesday (6/3/2/1/1 with two three-pointers in 17 minutes), while Monique Billings (5/5/1/1 with one three-pointer) played 25 minutes off the bench.

Tuesday’s game will be Zandalasini’s first since August 17. She’ll be on a minutes restriction, with Iliana Rupert remaining in the starting lineup. The Valkyries, who still have work to do to lock up the sixth seed for the postseason, will stick with a starting lineup of Rupert, Veronica Burton, Kaila Charles, Janelle Salaün and Temi Fágbénlé.

Rupert’s trio of three-pointers and final points total tied team-highs against the Lynx. Her biggest contributions came in the fourth quarter when she landed a couple of threes, specifically a triple with just over a minute left in the game to trim the Valkyries’ deficit to three points. Her offensive contributions ultimately weren’t enough to bring Golden State to its sixth straight win, but her production on that end of the floor as a floor-spacing frontcourt player continues to be important for the Valkyries.

Rupert has started Golden State’s last six games, as the team remains without injured forward Cecilia Zandalasini. The 6-foot-4 forward/center’s offensive production has been inconsistent in the role, alternating between single- and double-digit scoring efforts. After scoring two points against the Liberty on Tuesday, Rupert was due for a better performance on Thursday. She recorded a complete stat line against the Wings, including a season-high three blocked shots. Even if Zandalasini is able to return from her calf injury ahead of the postseason, Rupert’s floor-spacing ability will be key for the Valkyries as they look to make more history.

Rupert led the Valkyries in scoring on Sunday night with a season-high five threes and a career-high in points scored. Her shot making played a role in her team’s momentum as she made three in the first quarter without a major contest above the break and then on each wing. In the second and third quarters, the Fever defense limited her makes from three. She scored inside on mismatches on switches and was able to post-up on Aerial Powers and out-run Natasha Howard on the roll. Rupert hit two three-pointers within the last five minutes of the fourth quarter on two passes from point guard Veronica Burton to allow the Valkyries to pull away from the Fever for good.

Sunday’s game will be the fifth Zandalasini has missed with a calf injury. Iliana Rupert has been her replacement in the starting lineup for the last three, most recently playing 27 minutes in Saturday’s win over the Mystics. Kate Martin can also absorb some of the minutes that would typically go to Zandalasini.

Rupert was a three-point making machine on Sunday afternoon. She made at least one per quarter, and all five threes were on passes from Valkyries point guard Veronica Burton. Burton did an excellent job of moving the Wings defense so that Rupert got wide open looks without a defender in sight. With under five minutes left in the third quarter, Burton and Temi Fágbénlé ran a pick-and-roll onj the right wing which pulled Haley Jones right into the paint to help on Fágbénlé’s roll. That left Rupert wide open standing in the right corner pocket. The Valkyries ran a play like that multiple times throughout the game to isolate Rupert.

With Tiffany Hayes and Carla Leite both ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Wings, Kaila Charles gets her first start as a member of the Valkyries. Charles provided meaningful minutes off the bench against the Mercury on Friday night adding nine points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. With Charles moving to the starting lineup, head coach Natalie Nakase will have to call upon guards Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.