Laksa scores 11 points as Wings suffer heavy playoff opener defeat

Dallas Wings suffered a heavy loss in the opening game of their WNBA playoff series against the Golden State Valkyries. The score was tight after the first quarter, but the Valkyries took full control in the second, vastly outscoring their opponents over that ten-minute stretch. By halftime, Golden State held a commanding lead that it maintained through the rest of the game. The home team showed excellent shooting from beyond the arc, converting more than half of its three-point attempts over the full game.

Laksa's contribution

Latvian player Anete Laksa played just over 15 minutes, scoring 11 points on four-of-five shooting from the field, including three of four from three-point range. She grabbed one rebound and finished the game without a single turnover, posting a positive plus/minus rating. Laksa, along with teammate Maddy Siegrist, was the Wings' second-highest scorer.

Other game highlights

Paige Bueckers led Dallas with 21 points and six rebounds, converting nine of ten shots from the field. Siegrist added 11 points, while Arike Ogunbowale contributed ten. One of the team's leaders, Jacy Sheldon, missed all seven of her shot attempts and finished scoreless. For the winning side, Cecilia Zandalasi led with 22 points on seven-of-eleven shooting, including four three-pointers, while Tiffany Hayes added 21 points off the bench. Gabby Williams scored 20 points, and the Valkyries' 104 points set a new franchise scoring record.

Game two of the series will be played Wednesday in Dallas, where the Wings will need a win to keep their season alive.