(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Iliana Rupert’s Career Night Leads Golden State Valkyries Past Indiana Fever
Iliana Rupert scored a career-high 21 points as the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Indiana Fever 75-63 on Sunday, moving closer to a playoff berth in their debut season.
The Valkyries (21-18) got off to a hot start, shooting 7 of 8 from three-point range in the first quarter and building a 20-point lead. They finished the game 12 of 19 from beyond the arc, with Rupert hitting five 3-pointers. Golden State’s magic number for clinching a playoff spot is now three with five games remaining. The team is 2.5 games ahead of Los Angeles and closely matched with the Fever (21-19) and Seattle (22-19) for playoff seeding.
Standout Performances
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Golden State: Janelle Salaun and Kate Martin each contributed 10 points, while Veronica Burton led with 13 assists.
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Indiana: Reserve Aerial Powers scored 17 points, Kelsey Mitchell added 14, and Natasha Howard chipped in 13. Reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark remained sidelined, and Aliyah Boston was held to just four points, well below her average.
Game Highlights
The game faced a 20-minute delay at the start due to shot clock technical issues, with Indiana leading 3-2. Once temporary baseline shot clocks were set up, the Valkyries went on a scoring surge, hitting four consecutive three-pointers to seize control.
Golden State’s dominant performance and Rupert’s breakout night keep the Valkyries on track for a historic playoff run in their inaugural season.
