Not quite, not in the way she expected. Especially since Staley once witnessed Boston deliver a historic triple-double with 10 blocks in her very first college game, making her the first freshman in South Carolina history and the first player in Division I history to record such a debut. So you can imagine the high bar Boston set for Staley, from day one.

But this time around, that same level of dominance was hard to find. Boston looked visibly frustrated and struggled on the court for the full 30 minutes. And that’s why Staley took to social media with a plea: “Don’t do @aa_boston like that with these fouls!!! Free AB!!!” And honestly, she wasn’t wrong. Boston needed to be freed, especially as foul trouble continued to weigh her down.

It all comes up as the Fever center was forced to sit midway through the fourth quarter after picking up her fifth foul. Nearly every time she made a move, it felt like a whistle followed. No wonder Staley made that passionate appeal. Still, despite the challenges, Boston managed to finish with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and one assist, along with three huge blocks.

Even though her performance was strong, it wasn’t enough to lift Indiana to a win, as the Fever fell 77–88 to the Valkyries. So, what went wrong? It all unraveled in the final quarter. Despite Indiana leading with a 10–3 run in the third, the Valkyries capitalized on late turnovers and trimmed the lead to four. From there, they never looked back, surging ahead with 33 points in the final quarter alone.

What else do you expect? That sealed the win for Golden State, despite a near triple-double performance from Caitlin Clark, who finished with 11 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, and 6 costly turnovers. It may have been a frustrating night overall, but there was a bright spot: Boston.

Through foul trouble and questionable calls, she battled and made her presence known. With her three blocks, she now stands fifth on the Fever’s all-time blocks list with 116 career swats. So yes, Staley’s plea may not have changed the outcome, but it certainly amplified the fight in her former star.

After all, Boston’s got a special bond with Staley!

From the moment Boston arrived in South Carolina at just 17, Staley became more than a coach. She became a mentor, a role model, and in Boston’s own words, “like a second mom.” The trust the SC head coach placed in her freshman star was immediate, laying the foundation not just for a dominant college career but for a lifelong relationship built on mutual respect and belief.

Then, Boston empowered her to use her voice, to lead the way for her teammates, and to grow into the face of the program. “Don’t be afraid to use your voice… I know you have the confidence,” Staley once told her. Then, it was AB shining with her elite play, which led to a decorated collegiate run, multiple national awards, a national championship, and eventually, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

But what makes their bond even more special is that it didn’t end when Boston turned pro. Even when AB is at W, Dawn Staley continues to show up for her former player, from texting her mid-season tips during WNBA games to standing beside her at public events like the 2024 Final Four, where Boston interviewed her old coach. So you know how important it was for AB to prove herself in the game versus GSV, despite it being the most challenging part.