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Tiffany Hayes scores 18, Kayla Thornton 17 for Valkyries in 86-69 win over Fire
Tiffany Hayes scored 18 points and Kayla Thornton added 17 as Golden State moved within two games of WNBA-leading Minnesota.
On Sunday, the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Portland Fire 86-69 in their final game before the FIBA World Cup break. Tiffany Hayes led with 18 points, while Kayla Thornton added 17.
Kaitlyn Chen scored 15 points for Golden State, while Veronica Burton and Kaila Charles each added 11. Emily Engstler and Megan DiLeo scored 12 points apiece for Portland, with Bridget Carleton contributing 11.
Preparing for the World Cup, All-Star Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaun, and Cecelia Zandalasini sat out for Golden State, while Portland's Carla Leite and Frieda Buhner were also absent.
With the victory, the Valkyries moved within two games of WNBA-leading Minnesota. Golden State has four games remaining in the regular season.
Minnesota holds the playoff tiebreaker after winning the season series 2-1. The Lynx play New York and Connecticut before facing Indiana and Caitlin Clark to close the season.
WNBA - Despite the absences of Gabby Williams, Cecilia Zandalasini and Janelle Salaün, Golden State retained its game identity and defensive intensity to largely win Portland (86-69).