22

May

Aussies in the WNBA

Allen, Fowler fall to Sowah’s Valkyries in Big Apple

Written By

basketball.com.au

Allen, Fowler fall to Sowah’s Valkyries in Big Apple
Allen, Fowler fall to Sowah’s Valkyries in Big Apple

Miela Sowah of the Golden State Valkyries looks to move the ball during the Valkyries’ 87-70 win against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on May 22, 2026 (AEDT). Photo: Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images.

Highlights

Miela Sowah earns first Big Apple win as Golden State locks down New York in Barclays Center clash.

Golden State Valkyries 87 def. New York Liberty 70

Barclays Center – New York, NY
Quarter Scores: 25-15, 17-19, 21-12, 24-24

Gabby Williams led a balanced Golden State attack as the Valkyries locked down New York 87-70, while Australians Rebecca Allen hit a three-pointer for the Liberty, Alex Fowler added a steal off the bench and Miela Sowah logged minutes for Golden State at Barclays Center.

Golden State improved to 3-1 after disrupting New York’s high-powered offence from the opening quarter. The Valkyries held the Liberty to 25% shooting from three-point range and forced 14 turnovers, building a 10-point lead after the first period before extending the margin to 17 entering the fourth.

Williams finished with 16 points and four made threes, while Veronica Burton added 13 points and seven assists. Kaila Charles scored 13 points with seven rebounds and Janelle Salaun chipped in 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.

New York entered the contest averaging 100 points per game through its opening four games but struggled without injured star Sabrina Ionescu. Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jonquel Jones added 16 points and eight boards.

Allen scored five points with four rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes, knocking down one three-pointer. Fowler played 15 minutes off the bench and recorded a steal, while Sowah saw three minutes for the Valkyries.

Miela Sowah of the Golden State Valkyries looks to move the ball during the Valkyries’ 87-70 win against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on May 22, 2026 (AEDT). Photo: Catalina Fragoso/NBAE via Getty Images.

🇦🇺 Australians

Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty)

  • 5 points │ 4 rebounds │ 2 assists │ 1-from-3 three-point shooting │ 17 minutes

Alex Fowler (New York Liberty)

  • 0 points │ 1 steal │ 15 minutes

Miela Sowah (Golden State Valkyries)

  • 0 points │ 3 minutes

By the Numbers

  • Golden State shot 13-from-35 from three-point range.
  • The Valkyries outscored New York 21-12 in the third quarter.
  • Veronica Burton finished with a game-high seven assists.
  • New York shot just 6-from-24 from beyond the arc.
  • Golden State had five players score in double figures.

Los Angeles Sparks 97 def. Phoenix Mercury 88

Phoenix, AZ
Quarter Scores: 25-24, 35-19, 22-27, 15-18

Dearica Hamby dominated with 27 points and 15 rebounds as the Sparks outlasted Phoenix 97-88, while Australian veteran Sami Whitcomb missed the game with a left knee injury.

Phoenix stayed within striking distance behind Alyssa Thomas’ 23 points and seven assists plus Kahleah Copper’s 22 points, but Los Angeles shot 47% from three-point range and controlled the glass through Hamby’s inside presence.

Jovana Nogic added 15 points for the Mercury, knocking down three triples in the loss.

Minnesota Lynx 100 def. Toronto Tempo 72

Minneapolis, MN
Quarter Scores: 27-14, 26-18, 23-16, 24-24

Minnesota exploded for 53 first-half points and never looked back in a 100-72 win against the Toronto Tempo, handing head coach Sandy Brondello and Toronto their third loss of the season.

The Lynx had six players score in double figures, led by Maya Caldwell’s 16 points off the bench, while Courtney Williams added 15 points and eight rebounds. Minnesota shot 55% from the field and dominated the boards 46-25.

Kia Nurse led Toronto with 23 points and six made threes off the bench, but the Tempo struggled offensively overall, shooting 34% from the field and 29% from three-point range.

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