LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kaitlyn Chen scored 14 of her 18 factors within the fourth quarter, Gabby Williams added eight factors within the ultimate 90 seconds, and the Golden State Valkyries closed on a 17-4 run to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 76-75 on Thursday evening within the ultimate recreation for former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike.
Golden State (32-11) secured the No. 2 seed within the WNBA playoffs and can face seventh-seeded Dallas in a first-round sequence starting on Sunday.
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Ogwumike had 17 factors, 15 rebounds and 5 assists for Los Angeles (16-27) within the ultimate recreation of her 15-year profession. Ogwumike, who introduced on Aug. 19 she would retire after this season, and her nineteenth double-double of the season — and 134th of her profession to rank sixth in league historical past.
Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell every scored 15 for Los Angeles.
Los Angeles had a 69-57 lead with 4:42 left, however didn’t make one other subject objective till the ultimate second.
Williams took over down the stretch. She sank a protracted 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining and stole the ball on the different finish earlier than racing for a fast-break layup to get inside 72-70. After a miss by Los Angeles, Williams made a 3-pointer with 20.4 seconds left to go forward 73-72.
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The Sparks had two probabilities on their subsequent possession earlier than Kiah Stokes secured the defensive rebound. Los Angeles coach Lynne Roberts was referred to as for a technical foul with 10.8 seconds left and Kayla Thornton made the free throw for a 74-72 lead. Thornton added two extra free throws with 8.5 left for a 76-72 lead.
Williams completed with 14 factors in simply 20 minutes for Golden State. Veronica Burton added 17.
Up subsequent
Valkyries: Look to enhance to 4-0 this season in opposition to the Wings on Sunday.
Sparks: Season is over.
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