"SAN FRANCISCO -- The Golden State Valkyries became the first WNBA team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season Thursday night, with Janelle Salaun scoring 19 points in an 84-80 comeback victory against the Dallas Wings for their fifth straight win. The Valkyries, who improved to 23-18, also joined the Detroit Shock (1998) as the only two expansion teams in WNBA history to finish with a .500 or better record, according to ESPN Research."
""Let's goooooo!" Salaun screamed into the microphone moments after the final buzzer sounded as teammates pulled on black playoff T-shirts. Veronica Burton's three-point play with 22.3 seconds to go and four free throws over the final 11.4 seconds helped seal it as she scored 15 points. Carla Leite also added 15. Monique Billings blocked a shot with 2:34 left to set up Leite's jumper moments later before Dallas missed on the other end."
"Bueckers finished with 27 points and six assists for the Wings, who lost their ninth straight and 14th of 15. With her first basket -- an 18-foot jumper at the 8:33 mark of the opening quarter -- Bueckers passed Cappie Pondexter for fifth place on the all-time rookie points list with 625. Dallas started the game with a 10-0 burst before Golden State delivered a 19-6 run."
Janelle Salaun scored 19 points as the Golden State Valkyries rallied to an 84-80 comeback victory over the Dallas Wings, clinching a playoff berth in their inaugural WNBA season and improving to 23-18. Veronica Burton added 15 points, including a three-point play with 22.3 seconds left and four late free throws, while Carla Leite contributed 15. Monique Billings made a key late block. Paige Bueckers scored 27 points with six assists for Dallas, which lost its ninth straight. The Valkyries became one of two WNBA expansion teams to finish .500 or better and sold out their 21st straight home game.
Read at ESPN.com
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