Game 17 wrap: GSV leads in Q3, can't keep up with Lynx stars as MIN pulls away; Eurobasketeers have rusty return

when we grow up, we want to be like MIN

• Official box score

Apricot In-Game Notes

Iliana Rupert’s arrival

• I haven’t seen anything about the timing of Rupert’s arrival. In fact, I don’t think GSV have ever confirmed it was happening at all. Ingemi got confirmation from Rupert’s agent and Via found a clip where Rupert herself says (vaguely) she’s coming after Eurobasket.

• Update from my guy Kenzo Fukuda:

  [[ According to Tom Compayrot of BeBasket: Iliana Rupert is set to report to the Valkyries on July 15th.

  There hasn’t been a public confirmation from Nakase or the front office but it’s consistent with the reporting on Rupert’s desire to join the Valkyries later in the summer. ]]

  https://xcancel.com/kenzofuku/status/1941426583891476846

• Hey, some more personal details in the French article. Looks like Rupert has a good reason for her delay, congratulations.

  Here is an auto-translation:

  [[ As for Iliana Rupert, her arrival at the Golden State Valkyries will take a little longer. Barely recovered from EuroBasket—and in particular from the heartbreak of her 3-pointer and her missed free throw at the buzzer in the semifinals against Spain—the eldest of the Rupert siblings is in France for personal obligations (her civil marriage). This will take her a few days. According to our information, she will arrive in San Francisco around July 15 to join her new franchise. These personal obligations are always difficult to fit into the ultra-busy schedules of high-level women's basketball players, between the domestic league, the EuroLeague, the French national team, and the WNBA...

  The Golden State Valkyries will be embarking on a four-game cross-country road trip anyway. Rupert will join the team after that. But the Valkyries will have to cut a player before then to make room for him. "I don't know. We'll have to ask our front office," coach Natalia Nakase said of the need. The French international's arrival after EuroBasket has been arranged since the Expansion Draft last December.

  With two WNBA seasons under her belt, and impressive EuroLeague campaigns in between, she's a proven player who can make a direct contribution. Her stretch center profile will be welcome for the Valkyries, who are the worst 3-point team in the league (28.7%). Rupert will be the third French player on the roster, along with Carla Leite and Janelle Salaün , who will also be returning to the team soon.

  ]]

  https://www-bebasket-fr.translate.goog/leila-lacan-est-arrivee-dans-le-connecticut-un-peu-dattente-pour-iliana-rupert-a-golden-state?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true

The Game

• Okay, I have limited commenting today, so I’ll be in and out. If anything weird or wonderful happens, please take up the slack and comment here.

• At the half, GSV played really hard and fearlessly but also a bit lucky to only be down 5.

• GSV with the slightest hint of an answer for Collier. First, MIN ran Collier in wing pick and roll. MIN burned them with great angles on the rolls for easy layups. When GSV tried to show (temporary switch) and recover, MIN did a great job forcing a switch, then getting the ball to Phee in the paint to bully. But on one of the later plays, GSW sent a double team Mo helping off the paint cutter and Collier didn’t look ready for that. It was I think a foul on GSV but the idea was good. H2 GSV might go with that package that they ran on Boston / Stewart.

• Also, I assumed Amihere would get a DNP since the Euros were back, but if GSV gets down big, Nakase may pull her out as a change of pace.

• Ah well, GSV fought but got killed by back cuts around Q3/Q4, unforced errors, to let MIN pull away after they tied it.

• Couldn’t really hurt MIN in the halfcourt… so when MIN was scoring, GSV was in trouble and then MIN was attacking in transition… a virtuous cycle for MIN.

• GSV ended up 34% 3P after >40% in first half. MIN overplayed Salaun and Zandalasini on the perimeter and GSV couldn’t really punish.

• In the bigger picture, I feel like MIN is the team that GSV wants be when they grow up. Tough and disciplined on defense, sharp sets offensively with good flow and improv, shooting a lot of 3s. But MIN has better shooters and Collier/McBride.

  On to the next one!

Valkyrie Valor