Image Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Valkyries vs. Fever: Golden State Hands 88-77 Defeat to Indiana, Restricts Caitlin Clark to 11 Points

The Valkyries recorded their sixth win of the season!

Image Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Golden State Valkyries put an end to the Indiana Fever’s winning streak by handing them an 88-77 defeat on Thursday, June 19. Kayla Thornton dropped 16 points and six rebounds to help her team bounce back from the previous defeat and register their sixth win of the season. Tiffany Hayes came up with 14 points, three rebounds and five assists while three other players finished in double figures. Kate Martin, who reunited with her Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark, came up with nine points, five rebounds and one assist.

No one's safe in warmups 🤣

Former @IowaWBB teammates Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark reunite ahead of their 10pm/ET matchup on Prime! pic.twitter.com/4ur2o2hNPU
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 20, 2025

The collective effort from the Valkyries restricted Fever superstar Clark to just 11 points. The 2024 Rookie of the Year grabbed seven rebounds and dished out nine assists. They were led by Aliyah Boston with 17 points, 12 rebounds and one assist. Boston moved into second place in double-doubles (29) in franchise history. Kelsey Mitchell came up with 16 points, one rebound and two assists. In addition, Natasha Howard tallied 13 points, five rebounds and three assists and crossed the 4,000 career-point mark.

now you know. pic.twitter.com/sIHMmJD1n3
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) June 20, 2025

Valkyries’ Fourth-Quarter Run Helps Them Outscore Fever

After trailing the Fever 59-55 in the first three quarters of the game, the hosts came up with 33 points in the final quarter. The Valkyries didn’t have star shooters like their rivals. However, still they outscored their counterparts and won the game 88-77. Notably, they opened the game with a 7-2 run, but following an early timeout in the first quarter, they came off cold and ended up missing their next 13 shots.

Ballhalla stand up. Second half coming at you soon! pic.twitter.com/TokGgZBMV4
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) June 20, 2025

Caitlin Clark seemed to be off pace as she managed to score only two points in the first 20 minutes of the game. She couldn’t score a basket even eight minutes into the second quarter. However, she dished out assists and grabbed rebounds. Even then, the Fever managed to continue their dominance on the Valkyries. Boston’s buzzer beater gave the Fever 44-38 lead at halftime.

she did NOT see that coming. @_Theblackqueen_ ❌ https://t.co/YrS6QKIN0m pic.twitter.com/rR2FKXklgb
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) June 20, 2025

In the final quarter, Golden State went up 76-70 with 3:23 left. Chloe Bibby came up with free throws which helped the team further extend their lead. Towards the end, Laeticia Amihere blocked Laxie Hull’s layup attempt before Thorton’s fifth three-pointer helped them eventually seal the deal.

Golden State Valkyries

Indiana Fever

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.