Valkyries at Fire · Sports Today

Golden State Valkyries

31-11

7:00 PM PT

Portland Fire

16-28

Veronica Burton

12.0 PPG · 3.6 REB · 5.7 AST

Carla Leite

15.9 PPG · 2.1 REB · 6.2 AST

WNBA · Moda Center · 7:00 PM PTSeason series 3-0

Game Script

Expect a defensive, grind-it-out battle. Valkyries (82.3 PPG) meet Fire (85.9 PPG), with both defenses stingy.

The game likely turns on turnovers: Valkyries average 10.4 turnovers, Fire 14.5; steals (8.0 vs 7.7) add pressure. Ball security favors Valkyries.

Game Snapshot

Golden State Valkyries

Last 55-0WWWWW

StreakW6

L5 scoring81.2points/game

L5 defense63.2allowed/game

Home17-5Road 14-6

Rest3dsince last game

Series3-03 played

Portland Fire

Last 51-4WLLLL

StreakL4

L5 scoring82.2points/game

L5 defense90.0allowed/game

Home8-14Road 8-14

Rest3dsince last game

Series0-33 played

Team Identity

Golden State Valkyries

31-11 · WWWWW W6

Defensive-mindedThree-point shooting

A defensive identity and a three-point attack, though hampered by a slower half-court style.

Elite

Well Below22

Defensive D

Elite100

Three-point shooting

Above Avg83

Transition

Well Below6

Paint-first

Well Below11

Ball movement

Below Avg28

Rebounding

Average61

Rim protection

Average61

Portland Fire

16-28 · WLLLL L4

Three-point shootingTransition team

A three-point attack and a transition game, though hampered by little interior scoring.

Elite

Below Avg44

Defensive D

Below Avg33

Three-point shooting

Above Avg69

Transition

Above Avg67

Paint-first

Well Below17

Ball movement

Below Avg44

Rebounding

Below Avg28

Rim protection

Below Avg44

Where the Game Will Be Won

Turnovers

Valkyries average 10.4 turnovers, Fire 14.5; steals (8.0 vs 7.7) add pressure. Ball security favors Valkyries.

Edge · ValkyriesValkyries: 10.4 TO / 8.0 STLFire: 14.5 TO / 7.7 STLHigh confidence

Scoring Environment

Valkyries have averaged 157 combined points a game, Fire 177. A higher-scoring environment favors Fire.

Edge · FireValkyries: 157 combined pts/gm (6th pct)Fire: 177 combined pts/gm (67th pct)High confidence

Perimeter

Valkyries shoot 35% from three (10.6/gm); Fire allow 35%. The three-point battle tilts toward Fire.

Edge · FireValkyries: 10.6 3PM at 35%Fire allow 35% on threesHigh confidence

Rebounding

Valkyries carry a +0.5 rebound margin, Fire -3.7. Second-chance control leans Valkyries.

Edge · ValkyriesValkyries: +0.5 margin, 9.1 OREBFire: -3.7 margin, 7.9 OREBHigh confidence

Paint

Valkyries score 18.2 two-point makes a game; Fire protect the rim with 3.5 blocks. Interior control leans Valkyries.

Edge · ValkyriesValkyries: 18.2 2PT makesFire: 3.5 blocks/gmHigh confidence

Players Who Shape Tonight

Veronica Burton

Golden State Valkyries · G

Primary creator

12.0 PPG · 3.6 REB · 5.7 AST · 28 MIN

As Golden State Valkyries's primary creator, Burton sets the tone for how they attack. Trending down

Gabby Williams

Golden State Valkyries · F

Key contributor

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

Carla Leite

Portland Fire · G

Primary creator

15.9 PPG · 2.1 REB · 6.2 AST · 26 MIN

As Portland Fire's primary creator, Leite sets the tone for how they attack. Holding steady

Bridget Carleton

Portland Fire · F

Floor spacer

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

Trending Players

Kaila Charles

Golden State Valkyries

Trending Up

10.8 points over his last 5 (from 5.8).

Double figures (10+ pts)

10.8L58.1L10

L5: 10.8p 7.8r 2.4aSeason: 5.8p 19.5 min

Nyadiew Puoch

Portland Fire

Expanded Role

8.0 points over his last 5 (from 4.0).

Double figures (10+ pts)

8.0L55.3L10

L5: 8.0p 3.8r 1.2aSeason: 4.0p 17.5 min

Juste Jocyte

Golden State Valkyries

Expanded Role

Minutes up to 13.4 from 5.5.

Double figures (10+ pts)

4.8L53.7L10

L5: 4.8p 1.4r 2.0aSeason: 2.4p 5.5 min

Gabby Williams

Golden State Valkyries

Recent Slump

10.4 points over his last 5 (from 14.9).

Double figures (10+ pts)

10.4L512.8L10

L5: 10.4p 3.0r 2.2aSeason: 14.9p 25.1 min

Veronica Burton

Golden State Valkyries

Trending Down

8.8 points over his last 5 (from 12.5).

Double figures (10+ pts)

8.8L511.2L10

L5: 8.8p 3.8r 6.6aSeason: 12.5p 28.6 min

Kayla Thornton

Golden State Valkyries

Trending Down

6.6 points over his last 5 (from 7.9).

Double figures (10+ pts)

6.6L54.8L10

L5: 6.6p 3.6r 0.6aSeason: 7.9p 24.3 min

Team Trends

Golden State Valkyries

Points70

Opp points57

3PT%35%

Rebounds42

Portland Fire

Points84

Opp points105

3PT%22%

Rebounds23

Strongest Player Opportunities

100

Carla Leite

5+ Assists

Portland Fire

Why it stands out

Usable recent role at 27.8 minutes

Main risk

Minutes have been volatile

100

Kiah Stokes

6+ Rebounds

Golden State Valkyries

Why it stands out

Cleared 6+ in 4/5

Main risk

Recent playing time is below 24 minutes

100

Veronica Burton

5+ Assists

Golden State Valkyries

Why it stands out

Usable recent role at 26.4 minutes

No notable risk

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

Emily Engstler

6+ Rebounds

Portland Fire

Why it stands out

Usable recent role at 24.8 minutes

Main risk

Recent production is below the 10-game baseline

Carla Leite

10+ Points

Portland Fire

Why it stands out

Usable recent role at 27.8 minutes

Main risk

Minutes have been volatile

Based on games before 2026-09-22. Injuries, confirmed starters, rest/travel, and advanced ratings (pace, offensive/defensive rating) are not yet included.