Short-handed Valkyries return from break, rout expansion Portland
Minus several key players after the FIBA World Cup, the Golden State Valkyries routed the Portland Fire 82-66 and inched closer to the WNBA's No. 1 playoff seed. Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton drives for a layup during the first quarter against the Portland Fire at Chase Center on Friday. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle) Just as they had truly begun to ignite, the caverns of Ballhala quieted, a sea of violet-shirted warriors turned temporary ghosts…
