Valkyries rally past the Sparks 76-75 to secure No. 2 seed and spoil Nneka Ogwumike’s final game

Kaitlyn Chen and Gabby Williams led the Golden State Valkyries to a thrilling 76-75 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, marking the end of former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike’s illustrious career. Chen scored 14 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter, while Williams added eight crucial points in the final 90 seconds. The Valkyries finished with a 17-4 run, securing the No. 2 seed in the WNBA playoffs. Ogwumike, who announced her retirement earlier this season, ended her career with a strong performance, recording 17 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. Despite leading 69-57 with under five minutes left, the Sparks couldn’t hold on, as Williams’ late-game heroics sealed the win for Golden State. The Valkyries will face the Dallas Wings in the first round of the playoffs. QUESTION: How might Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement impact the Los Angeles Sparks and their future performance in the WNBA?