Sparks vs Valkyries
May 16, 2025 10:00 pm EDT
The Line: Sparks -7
(Get latest betting odds)
The Los Angeles Sparks and Golden State Valkyries meet Friday in WNBA action at the Chase Center. Here’s a Sparks vs Valkyries Prediction. This article will include a Sparks vs Valkyries Pick.
Los Angeles Sparks Betting Preview
The Sparks won eight games last year and haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 season. The Lynne Roberts coaching era begins. There’s potential with the Sparks with the eventual return of Cameron Brink, a promising young player in Rickea Jackson, and the addition of Kelsey Plum. A two-time champion and three-time all-star, Plum brings experience and playmaking ability to a fairly young Sparks roster. Dearica Hamby is also coming off her best season yet despite being 31 years old.
The Sparks have athletes and scoring, so this should be an up-tempo team that plays with some flair. Once Brink is back in the mix and Plum is comfortable with her new teammates, the Sparks should push for a playoff berth. It’s exciting times in Los Angeles for the first time in a while, which is great for the WNBA. The league is in a better place when teams with big markets are doing well.
Golden State Valkyries Betting Preview
The Valkyries will make their debut as the newest team in the WNBA, and Natalie Nakase is the head coach. It’s going to take time for the Valkyries to build chemistry obviously as they’re starting from scratch and there’s not a go-to player on this team yet. Juste Jocyte was the fifth overall pick and could eventually become the face of the franchise. Tiffany Hayes was recently the sixth woman of the year and was a first-team selection in 2018, but she’s nearly 36 years old. Players like Julie Vanloo, Kayla Thornton, and Monique Billings have experience but have never been asked to lead a team. The Valkyries are a mystery bag for the most part, so I guess time will tell.
Sparks vs Valkyries Injury Report
The Sparks will be without Julie Allemand and Cameron Brink.
The Valkyries will be without Cecilia Zandalasini and Stephanie Talbot. Kate Martin is probable despite a hand injury.
Sparks vs Valkyries Prediction
I’m not excited to lay this many points with the Sparks in a season opener when they’re not even 100 percent yet. Brink is still out for another month, it looks like. However, the Sparks still have talent and if they’re serious about ending the playoff drought, they win this game.
The Valkyries are breaking new ground, and they could be the league’s punching bag until they figure things out. Again, there’s not a concrete go-to player on this Valkyries roster, and it feels like everybody will be trying to find their role on the fly. Hell, even the coach. The Sparks have to take advantage of that. In fact, it would be time to hit the panic button if they don’t, first game or not. I’ll lay the points with the Sparks.
