A Dream Denied

L, 79-63

True to form, the Valks brought their defensive energy to Ballhallah against the Atlanta Dream. And, as we have seen time and time again, their defense kept them in the game in the first half. In this case, the Valks and the Dream were tied up at 25 a piece after 20 minutes of play. But, in the second half, Atlanta found their rhythm offensively, and the Valks could not.

The Valks fell to the Dream 79-63, shooting 35% from the field and only 24% from 3-pt land. Now, this is partly due to the Dream's stifling defense - they rank third in the league in defensive rating (the Valks are right behind them in fourth place). But the Valks continue to struggle putting the ball through the hoop in the first half, and the slow starts do not give them much room for error. And tonight, errors abound.

Veronica Burton and Iliana Rupert both suffered injuries during the game. VB was struck in the side and left the game briefly. During that short stretch of time, however, the offense stagnated enough that it was difficult to get back into a rhythm for the rest of the game. VB kept the team in the game with her strong drives to the basket, finishing well at the rim and 7-7 from the free throw line. While she was out, the Valks stopped attacking the paint and settled from long jumpers. On the bright side, she did return to the game and her initial injury did not seem to linger. Fingers crossed she recovers well this week.

Rupert was struck in the head with about eight minutes remaining in the third quarter and walked off the floor in pain, not to return. Post-game, it was announced that she was entering concussion protocol, and will have to miss some time. Her exit was a critical loss for this game given the Dream's size - centers Brittney Griner and Bree Jones had their way in the paint - but it also compounds the lack of depth we have in the 4 and 5 spots given the injuries to KT and Mo. Hoping that Rupert entering concussion protocol is precautionary and that she is back soon!

A welcome sight was Violet!! Our recently hatched, sassy mascot has won the hearts of many in a very short time. She danced the night away on the hardwood and looks at home. Better to keep her dancing than shooting hoops I think!