Portland Fire beat Golden State 90-82 in overtime

The Portland Fire beat the Golden State Valkyries 90-82 in overtime in Portland’s season finale, a result that helped the Minnesota Lynx clinch the No. 1 WNBA seed. Golden State opened scoring with Veronica Burton’s three and led 24-10 after the first quarter, but Portland fought back through long-range shooting and a late stretch that forced overtime. Golden State used its usual starting five of Cecilia Zandalasini, Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, and Kiah Stokes and leaned on a ten-player rotation and smallball lineups. Portland was missing Nyadiew Puoch and Holly Winterburn but had Bridget Carleton and Jordan Harrison available. The Valkyries rallied late to send the game to overtime but could not keep pace in the extra period, a loss the recap says damages their seeding possibilities and sets up a big game on Thursday.