Portland Fire
16-25
7:00 PM PT
Golden State Valkyries
29-11
Carla Leite
15.8 PPG · 2.1 REB · 6.2 AST
Veronica Burton
12.3 PPG · 3.5 REB · 5.8 AST
Game Script
Expect a defensive, grind-it-out battle. Fire (86.3 PPG) meet Valkyries (82.6 PPG), with both defenses stingy.
The game likely turns on turnovers: Fire average 14.3 turnovers, Valkyries 10.3; steals (7.5 vs 7.7) add pressure. Ball security favors Valkyries.
Game Snapshot
Portland Fire
Last 51-4LLLWL
StreakL1
L5 scoring85.4points/game
L5 defense90.4allowed/game
Home8-13Road 8-12
Rest20dsince last game
Series0-22 played
Golden State Valkyries
Last 54-1LWWWW
StreakW4
L5 scoring80.8points/game
L5 defense66.4allowed/game
Home15-5Road 14-6
Rest20dsince last game
Series2-02 played
Team Identity
Portland Fire
Three-point shootingTransition team
A three-point attack and a transition game, though hampered by little interior scoring.
EliteBelow Avg44
Defensive DBelow Avg33
Three-point shootingAbove Avg75
TransitionAbove Avg67
Paint-firstWell Below22
Ball movementBelow Avg44
ReboundingWell Below22
Rim protectionBelow Avg44
Golden State Valkyries
Defensive-mindedThree-point shooting
A defensive identity and a three-point attack, though hampered by a slower half-court style.
EliteWell Below17
Defensive DElite100
Three-point shootingAbove Avg83
TransitionWell Below6
Paint-firstWell Below11
Ball movementWell Below22
ReboundingAverage61
Rim protectionAverage61
Where the Game Will Be Won
Turnovers
Fire average 14.3 turnovers, Valkyries 10.3; steals (7.5 vs 7.7) add pressure. Ball security favors Valkyries.
Edge · ValkyriesFire: 14.3 TO / 7.5 STLValkyries: 10.3 TO / 7.7 STLHigh confidence
Scoring Environment
Fire have averaged 177 combined points a game, Valkyries 158. A higher-scoring environment favors Fire.
Edge · FireFire: 177 combined pts/gm (67th pct)Valkyries: 158 combined pts/gm (6th pct)High confidence
Rebounding
Fire carry a -3.8 rebound margin, Valkyries +0.5. Second-chance control leans Valkyries.
Edge · ValkyriesFire: -3.8 margin, 7.9 OREBValkyries: +0.5 margin, 9.1 OREBHigh confidence
Paint
Fire score 20.4 two-point makes a game; Valkyries protect the rim with 3.9 blocks. Interior control leans Valkyries.
Edge · ValkyriesFire: 20.4 2PT makesValkyries: 3.9 blocks/gmHigh confidence
Perimeter
Fire shoot 35% from three (10.2/gm); Valkyries allow 33%. The three-point battle tilts toward Fire.
Edge · FireFire: 10.2 3PM at 35%Valkyries allow 33% on threesHigh confidence
Players Who Shape Tonight
Carla Leite
Portland Fire · G
15.8 PPG · 2.1 REB · 6.2 AST · 26 MIN
As Portland Fire's primary creator, Leite sets the tone for how they attack. Trending up
Bridget Carleton
Portland Fire · F
14.2 PPG · 4.4 REB · 2.1 AST · 30 MIN
As Portland Fire's floor spacer, Carleton sets the tone for how they attack. Holding steady
Veronica Burton
Golden State Valkyries · G
12.3 PPG · 3.5 REB · 5.8 AST · 28 MIN
As Golden State Valkyries's primary creator, Burton sets the tone for how they attack. Holding steady
Gabby Williams
Golden State Valkyries · F
14.3 PPG · 3.3 REB · 2.2 AST · 25 MIN
As Golden State Valkyries's key contributor, Williams sets the tone for how they attack. Trending down
Trending Players
Emily Engstler
Portland Fire
17.0 points over his last 5 (from 9.0).
Double figures (10+ pts)
L5: 17.0p 7.2r 2.0aSeason: 9.0p 23.9 min
Cecilia Zandalasini
Golden State Valkyries
11.8 points over his last 5 (from 8.3).
Double figures (10+ pts)
L5: 11.8p 3.2r 1.8aSeason: 8.3p 18.6 min
Carla Leite
Portland Fire
18.6 points over his last 5 (from 15.3).
Double figures (10+ pts)
L5: 18.6p 1.2r 7.0aSeason: 15.3p 25.4 min
Kayla Thornton
Golden State Valkyries
4.0 points over his last 5 (from 8.4).
Double figures (10+ pts)
L5: 4.0p 2.2r 0.4aSeason: 8.4p 24.9 min
Gabby Williams
Golden State Valkyries
10.4 points over his last 5 (from 14.9).
Double figures (10+ pts)
L5: 10.4p 3.0r 2.2aSeason: 14.9p 25.1 min
Team Trends
Portland FirePoints69
Opp points86
3PT%26%
Rebounds29
Golden State ValkyriesPoints86
Opp points69
3PT%31%
Rebounds31
Strongest Player Opportunities
100
Carla Leite
5+ Assists
Portland Fire
Why it stands out
29.2 minutes per game over the last 5
Main risk
Minutes have been volatile
100
Veronica Burton
7+ Assists
Golden State Valkyries
Why it stands out
Usable recent role at 24.8 minutes
No notable risk
100
Carla Leite
20+ Points
Portland Fire
Why it stands out
29.2 minutes per game over the last 5
Main risk
Minutes have been volatile
100
Megan DiLeo
10+ Points
Portland Fire
Why it stands out
Usable recent role at 25.4 minutes
No notable risk
100
Kiah Stokes
6+ Rebounds
Golden State Valkyries
Why it stands out
Cleared 6+ in 7/10
Main risk
Recent playing time is below 24 minutes
100
Bridget Carleton
4+ Rebounds
Portland Fire
Why it stands out
32.4 minutes per game over the last 5
Main risk
Recent production is below the 10-game baseline
Based on games before 2026-09-18. Injuries, confirmed starters, rest/travel, and advanced ratings (pace, offensive/defensive rating) are not yet included.