Cecilia Zandalasini’s first-half push isn’t enough as Golden State Valkyries end Liberty’s home winning streak, 79-60

The New York Liberty saw their momentum at home come to an end on Thursday night, as the Golden State Valkyries handed them a 79-60 loss. The defeat snapped a six-game home winning streak, flipping the script from a team that had been building confidence on its own court to one searching for answers after a difficult night on both ends.

Cecilia Zandalasini scored 20 points for the Liberty, including 14 in the first half. Her early production kept New York within reach, but as the game wore on, the Valkyries were able to limit the Liberty’s scoring opportunities while controlling the pace.

Gabby Williams added 16 points for the Liberty, giving New York two players who produced consistently despite the wider scoring gap. Still, the final margin reflected more than just a few missed possessions. Golden State’s ability to convert key moments, combined with the Liberty’s inability to sustain scoring after the opening half, proved decisive.

For the Valkyries, the win came from getting enough production across the floor to keep New York from finding rhythm for extended stretches. When a home win streak ends by nearly 20 points, it typically indicates that the defending and transition phases both looked sharper for the visiting team than the final score suggests.

The first-half numbers mattered, particularly Zandalasini’s burst, but the game’s shape ultimately turned on what happened after halftime. A 79-60 result is rarely a one-period story, it usually reflects a mismatch in shot quality, ball security, and shot-making consistency that becomes harder to overcome once one team pulls away.

This result also changes the tone for New York’s immediate focus. Ending a home run can be a jolt, and the Liberty will likely look to correct the issues that allowed Golden State to build separation. The balance between maintaining defensive pressure and getting back into offensive sets at the right time becomes even more important after a game like this.

What to watch next for both teams is how the Liberty respond to the disruption in their home identity, and whether the Valkyries can carry the same level of execution into their next stretch. Thursday’s game underscored how quickly momentum can shift in the WNBA, where a single defensive stretch can decide the difference between a competitive night and a blowout.