Introduction

The Los Angeles Sparks had it. A 16-point second-half lead. A farewell night for a legend. A 12-point cushion with under five minutes left.

And then Gabby Williams decided the Sparks weren’t winning.

Golden State stormed back with a 17-4 closing run to steal a 76-75 road win at Crypto.com Arena on September 24, 2026, locking up the No. 2 seed in the process. This Sparks vs Valkyries matchup wasn’t just another regular-season finale. It was a franchise-defining comeback wrapped inside Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement ceremony.

Here’s what you’ll get: the play-by-play that flipped the game, the stats that explain how it happened, and why this result reshaped the playoff bracket.

Quick Answer: The Golden State Valkyries beat the Los Angeles Sparks 76-75 on Sept. 24, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. Golden State erased a 16-point deficit and closed with a 17-4 run.

What Was the Final Score of Sparks vs Valkyries on September 24, 2026?

That’s the number that matters. The Sparks vs Valkyries WNBA score stayed tight early, with both teams trading runs through the first half. LA built a 13-15 first-quarter edge, stretched it to 35-26 at halftime, and looked in control.

Here’s the thing about this September 24, 2026 WNBA score: it lies if you only look at the final margin. The game wasn’t a one-possession battle from start to finish. It was a demolition that turned into a heist.

But wait — the Valkyries didn’t just stumble into this win. They executed in the final four minutes. Golden State scored 30 points in the fourth quarter alone, nearly matching their entire first-half output.

Key Takeaway:

• Golden State’s 30 fourth-quarter points were the difference
• LA led by 12 with 4:42 remaining and didn’t make another field goal until the buzzer
• The Valkyries swept the season series 3-0

Direct Answer: The Valkyries won 76-75, closing on a 17-4 run to complete the largest comeback in franchise history .

How Did the Valkyries Pull Off a 16-Point Comeback?

The short answer: Kaitlyn Chen and Gabby Williams refused to lose.

Los Angeles led 69-57 with 4:42 left. The Sparks had all the momentum, the home crowd, and a storybook ending brewing for Ogwumike. Then the Valkyries flipped a switch.

Kaitlyn Chen scored 14 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter. She attacked the rim relentlessly, going 6-for-9 from the field in the final frame. LA had no answer for her dribble penetration.

Gabby Williams did the rest. She scored eight straight Golden State points in the final 90 seconds, including back-to-back 3-pointers. Her go-ahead triple with 20.4 seconds left put the Valkyries up 73-72 — their first lead since early in the second quarter.

Here’s the sequence that broke LA’s back:

1. 1:30 remaining: Williams hits a long 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 72-68
2. Next possession: Williams steals the ball and scores a fast-break layup — 72-70
3. After an LA miss: Williams drills another 3-pointer — 73-72 Valkyries

The Sparks had two chances on their next possession. Kiah Stokes grabbed the defensive rebound. Then LA coach Lynne Roberts picked up a technical foul with 10.8 seconds left. Kayla Thornton hit the free throw, then added two more after a foul, pushing the lead to 76-72. Rae Burrell’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer made it 76-75, but the clock ran out on the Sparks.

Key Takeaway:

• Williams had eight points in the final 90 seconds
• LA went scoreless from the field for over 4.5 minutes down the stretch

Direct Answer: Golden State won with elite shot creation (Chen) and clutch shot-making (Williams), while LA’s offense froze when it mattered most.

What Do the Full Game Stats Reveal About This Sparks vs Valkyries Matchup?

Stats don’t lie. This game was ugly for three quarters and brilliant for one.

Team Stats Comparison

The shooting numbers are almost identical. Same field goals made. Same field goals attempted. The difference was free throws (Golden State +7) and turnovers (LA +3).

Player Stats That Matter

Golden State’s bench outscored LA’s reserves 24-15, a gap that mattered in a one-point game.

Key Takeaway:

• Both teams shot 39% — this was a defensive grind
• Golden State won the free-throw battle (17-21 vs 10-14)
• Ogwumike’s 17 & 15 was the best individual performance of the night

Direct Answer: The Sparks vs Valkyries full game stats show near-identical shooting, but Golden State’s free-throw advantage and turnover control made the difference.

Who Stepped Up in the Sparks vs Valkyries Play by Play?

Three names defined this game. Two wore Golden State uniforms. One wore LA — and left everything on the floor.

Kaitlyn Chen: The X-Factor

Chen came off the bench and torched the Sparks in the second half. Her 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting were efficient, aggressive, and perfectly timed. The rookie guard didn’t just score — she broke LA’s defensive scheme. Every time the Sparks tried to close out on Williams, Chen found a seam. Every time they sagged off, she hit the mid-range.

Gabby Williams: The Closer

Williams played only 20 minutes — 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists. But her impact stretched far beyond the box score. She was scoreless in the second and third quarters. Then she flipped the switch. Two 3-pointers, a steal, and a fast-break layup in 90 seconds. That’s not just clutch. That’s takeover mode.

The cruel irony? Ogwumike’s best game of the season came in a loss that ended her career.

Key Takeaway:

• Chen’s 18 points off the bench were the game’s biggest surprise
• Williams delivered when it mattered, despite quiet middle quarters
• Ogwumike’s 17 & 15 deserved a better ending

Direct Answer: The Sparks vs Valkyries play-by-play was defined by Chen’s fourth-quarter explosion, Williams’ clutch gene, and Ogwumike’s valiant final stand.

What Did This Win Mean for the WNBA Playoff Picture?

This wasn’t just a regular-season finale. It was a seeding earthquake.

Golden State (32-12) clinched the No. 2 seed in the WNBA playoffs. They finished one game behind Minnesota for the top spot and one game ahead of Las Vegas. The Valkyries will host Dallas (No. 7 seed) in the first round, a team they went 4-0 against during the regular season.

The September 24, 2026 WNBA results also locked in the full bracket:

Golden State’s expansion-to-contender pipeline is the story here. In 2025, they set the WNBA record for most wins by an expansion team. In 2026, they improved by nine wins and earned home-court advantage. That’s not luck. That’s infrastructure.

Key Takeaway:

• Golden State secured the No. 2 seed and home-court advantage
• LA finished 12th and missed the playoffs

Direct Answer: The win gave Golden State the No. 2 seed and a favorable first-round matchup against Dallas, while ending LA’s season.

Sparks vs Valkyries FAQs

Question: Who won the Sparks vs Valkyries game?

Answer: The Golden State Valkyries won 76-75 at Crypto.com Arena. It was their third win over LA this season, completing a 3-0 series sweep. The victory secured the No. 

Question: How many points did Nneka Ogwumike score in her final game?

Answer: Ogwumike scored 17 points on 8-of-17 shooting and grabbed 15 rebounds in her final WNBA game. The former MVP also added 5 assists. It was her 134th career double-double, ranking sixth in WNBA history.

Question: What was the Sparks vs. Valkyries play-by-play in the fourth quarter?

Answer: LA led 69-57 with 4:42 left. Golden State then went on a 17-4 run, capped by Gabby Williams’ go-ahead 3-pointer with 20.4 seconds remaining. Kayla Thornton’s free throws sealed it at 76-72 before a late LA 3-pointer made the final 76-75.

Question: Did the Sparks vs Valkyries game affect the WNBA playoffs?

Answer: Yes. The win gave Golden State the No. 2 seed and a first-round matchup against Dallas. LA’s loss ended its season. The result also locked in the full 2026 WNBA playoff bracket.

Conclusion

The Sparks vs Valkyries game on September 24, 2026 was everything a regular-season finale should be: drama, stakes, and a legend’s farewell.

Golden State proved they’re not just a feel-good expansion story anymore. They’re a contender. A team that can get punched in the mouth for three quarters and still finds a way to win. Kaitlyn Chen looks like a playoff X-factor. Gabby Williams looks like a closer. And the Valkyries head into the postseason with home-court advantage and a favorable matchup.

Los Angeles? They got the worst possible ending to a forgettable season. Nneka Ogwumike deserved a win. She got a standing ovation, a double-double, and a loss. That’s basketball. Cruel and beautiful.

Bottom Line: Golden State’s 76-75 comeback was the defining WNBA moment of Sept. 24, 2026. The Valkyries erased a 16-point deficit, secured the No. 2 seed, and ended Nneka Ogwumike’s career with a gut-punch loss. Chen (18) and Williams (14) were the heroes. LA’s 4.5-minute scoring drought was the killer.

What’s next? Golden State hosts Dallas in Round 1 of the WNBA playoffs. If you’re a Valkyries fan, buckle up. This team has the ingredients for a deep run.

Drop a comment with your playoff predictions. Did Golden State get lucky, or are they legit? And if you loved Nneka Ogwumike’s career, share this article — she deserves the flowers.

References:

1. ESPN — “Valkyries 76-75 Sparks (Sep 24, 2026) Game Recap”
2. Basketball-Reference.com — “2026 WNBA Standings”

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