Iliana

Rupert

Given the injuries that have cut into Golden State’s frontcourt depth, the team will need a consistently productive Rupert to earn a playoff berth in the franchise’s inaugural season. While Sunday’s result, a 101-77 defeat, was disappointing, Rupert continues to get more comfortable within head coach Natalie Nakase’s system. The 24-year-old rookie has reached double figures in three straight and four of her last five games, with Sunday’s point total being a new high. Add in the rebounds, and now would be a good time to hop onto the Rupert bandwagon for those needing frontcourt depth. She’s rostered in just 10.5 percent of ESPN leagues, so Rupert won’t be hard to find on most waiver wires.

Facing a team that should have a point to prove after losing by a league-record 53 points on Saturday, the Valkyries have made another change to their starting lineup. Rupert will join Salaün and Fágbénlé as part of the starting frontcourt, with Kate Martin moving to the bench. Golden State remains without the injured Tiffany Hayes, so Martin will remain part of the rotation to help fill that void.

Rupert was moved out of the starting lineup during the Valkyries’ second game on a back-to-back. Head coach Natalie Nakase noticed that the French center struggled defending against physicality against the Mystics, and the Sky’s front court is even more physical than the Mystics’. Rupert stepped up especially in the fourth quarter and her three clutch three-pointers in the final quarter helped the Valkyries seal the road win. Kaitlyn Chen and Veronica Burton both found Rupert for two each of her total four three-pointers.

Burton scored half of her points at the free throw line on five trips. The other half came as a result on step-back 18-foot jumper, a step back three-pointer and two layups on the drive and on the catch. Four of her seven assists were to Janelle Salaün who the Valkyries made sure was in a lot of the offensive actions in order to allow Salaün to exploit her front court matchups against the slower Elizabeth Williams and Kamilla Cardoso in the Sky front court. Burton also found Iliana Rupert for two pivotal three pointers down the stretch in the fourth quarter on pick-and-pop actions.

Zandalasini is out for her second game in a row during the Valkyries Thursday night and Friday night back-to-back games first in Washington D.C. and now in Chicago. On Thursday night the Valkyries relied upon more minutes and three-point shooting production from stretch big Iliana Rupert and wing Kate Martin. Expect those two to be called upon to step up once again.

Rupert began the game on a tear, scoring 9 of her 11 total points in the first quarter. She hit three three-pointers on a swing pass from Tiffany Hayes, and then on two passes from Kate Martin. The first was a pick-and-pop action that Shakira Austin wasn’t ready for, and then a drive that collapsed the Mystics’ defense leaving not a single defender anywhere near Rupert. As the game wore on, however, Rupert got into foul trouble having difficulty guarding the physicality of Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen. As a result Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase opted to play a bit smaller and had either Rupert or Temi Fágbénlé on the floor rather than both together.

When Martin entered the game, she made an immediate impact. She was responsible for finding Iliana Rupert for two straight threes toward the end of the first quarter. Then Martin put points on the board after getting fouled while shooting a three. She hit two of her three three-pointers in the second quarter to give the Valkyries a 15 point lead. Martin’s other scores came at pivotal moments. She hit her third three in the final seconds of the third quarter to extend Golden State’s lead to 7 points. And then after the Mystics tied the score at 62 a couple of minutes later on a Lucy Olsen three-pointer, Martin drove through the Mystics defense to score at the rim to give the Valkyries a 2 point lead.

Zandalasini was the hero for the Valkyries in their game on Tuesday night, leading her team with 18 points and defeating the Dream 77-75. Without her play on the wing and able to stretch the floor the Valkyries will have to rely upon stretch big Iliana Rupert and forward Janelle Salaün to provide the outside shooting from the startling line up that Zandalasini provides. Expect more minutes from Laeticia Amihere as well.

Already without Kayla Thornton (knee) and Monique Billings (ankle), the Valkyries may also be without Zandalasini on Thursday. She’s dealing with a left foot injury and is considered questionable in the first of two games in as many nights for Golden State. If Zandalasini cannot play, Laeticia Amihere, Kate Martin and Iliana Rupert will all have added importance within the Valkyries’ rotation.