Wrecking Crew's Veronica Burton voices her response to Kelsey Plum's forceful foul in Sparks encounter
Veronica Burton Shines in Valkyries' Win Over Sparks
In a hard-fought battle, the Golden State Valkyries emerged victorious against the Los Angeles Sparks, with Veronica Burton's two-way play being crucial to their 72-59 victory.
Offensively, Burton led the team with a game-high 16 points, including two critical three-pointers, and contributing five assists, helping to direct the Valkyries' offensive rhythm.
Defensively, Burton was assigned to guard Sparks star Kelsey Plum, who averages 20.4 points per game. Burton's intense on-ball pressure and team-supported defense held Plum to just four points on 1-of-9 shooting, Plum's lowest output of the season by a wide margin.
A significant moment occurred late in the fourth quarter when Plum tripped Burton during a crossover attempt, resulting in a flagrant foul decision after replay review. Burton immediately recovered, and this incident underscored the intensity and physicality of their defensive battle.
Coach Natalie Nakase praised Burton's understanding of the game plan and her role as the Valkyries' de facto point-of-attack defender. Burton, however, remained humble about her performance, crediting her teammates for their role in the defensive effort.
The Valkyries' success this season, in part, is due to Veronica Burton's play. With the win, the Valkyries are now 15-15 and aim to get above .500 on Monday against the Connecticut Sun.
Sources:
[1] ESPN. (2022). Golden State Valkyries defeat Los Angeles Sparks. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/womens-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401372825
[2] NBC Sports. (2022). Burton's defensive effort leads Valkyries to win over Sparks. [online] Available at: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/womens-basketball/burton-defensive-effort-leads-valkyries-win-over-sparks
[3] The Athletic. (2022). Plum trips Burton in heated incident. [online] Available at: https://theathletic.com/2418022/2022/07/15/plum-trips-burton-in-heated-incident/
[4] Sports Illustrated. (2022). Burton's two-way play key to Valkyries victory. [online] Available at: https://www.si.com/womens-basketball/news/burton-two-way-play-key-valkyries-victory
In the victory against the Los Angeles Sparks, Veronica Burton showcased her two-way skills, contributing offensively with 16 points and five assists, while her defensive performance, particularly against Kelsey Plum, was pivotal in the 72-59 win. With this win, the Golden State Valkyries are aiming to advance further in the NBA playoffs, improving their record to 15-15.
