Big-time bench: Chen-Amihere tandem power Valkyries rout of Fire

SAN FRANCISCO – A night that began with the novelty of third-round pick Kokoro Tanaka walloping the pregame drum followed an otherwise familiar script as the Valkyries returned from their three-week FIBA hiatus.

Sans all-star Gabby Williams, sixth player of the year frontrunner Janelle Salaun and starting wing Ceci Zandalasini, the Valkyries suffocated the expansion Portland Fire early, saw their double-figure halftime lead cut to just six in the third, and then found their groove again to close out an easy 82-66 victory.

Oh, and the bench that has spurred the team to so many victories? They showed up in full force, even down Salaun.

Kaitlyn Chen knocked down five 3-pointers and scored 17 points to lead a Valkyries bench that scored 43 points. Backup five Laeticia Amihere provided a major scoring boost as a reserve too. She used her foot speed to slice up the trudging Portland bigs in space, spurring an 8-0 run in the third quarter and finishing the day with 17 points. Kayla Thornton and Tip Hayes each put in 13 points as starters.

So much for rust. After two weeks of practices, the “stay-ready” players put on a show.

Former Valkyries guard Carla Leite poured in 12 points and dished out six assists for the Fire. The Valkyries emptied the bench late in the fourth.

Portland became the fifth consecutive opponent to score under 70 points.

Golden State (30-11) will play host to Seattle on Saturday evening for its final home game of the regular season. Golden State is currently the second seed in the standings.

FIBA stars still out

Williams, Ceci Zandalasini and Salaun were all healthy scratches against the Fire. France’s Williams and Salaun both made it all it to the final against the USA, while Zandalasini’s Italian side were knocked out in the quarterfinals.

All three are back with the Valkyries, but the organization is being deliberate with their return to the rotation.

“They look good, but they felt like they needed that rest and recovery,” Nakase said. “They needed that sleep more importantly, because of the time change.”

Jocyte gets early minutes

With so many wings out, the team’s most ballyhooed prospect received some major minutes … just not at the position the team has been training her at.

Juste Jocyte, nominally a point guard, played forward during her first stint, sticking to the corners on offense while guarding up a position. She did make a nice pass to Kaitlyn Chen on one possession, swinging the ball for an assist. She then buried a sidestep 3-pointer near the end of the first quarter to bring the crowd to life.

She buried another 3-pointer from the same corner to begin the second quarter as part of a run of six uninterrupted minutes.

Jocyte finished the night with nine points, fouling out in the fourth quarter after playing 18 minutes.