The Golden State Valkyries and Seattle Storm meet Friday in WNBA action at the Climate Pledge Arena. Here’s a Storm vs. Valkyries Prediction. This article will include a Storm vs. Valkyries Pick.
Golden State Valkyries Betting Preview
The Valkyries look for an encore after making the playoffs in their first season under Natalie Nakase, who earned Coach of the Year honors.
The Valkyries were a defensive powerhouse last season and they doubled down on that by adding Gabby Williams, who is an elite two-way forward. They also added Kiah Stokes, who is another defensive-caliber player and has three rings. Veronica Burton is fresh off winning Most Improved Player, and Kayla Thornton is coming off her first all star appearance. The Valkyries set the bar high but with that defensive pressure and aggressive offense that shoots the three ball, there’s no reason Golden State can’t push for a top-five seed and make a deep playoff run. Golden State has another basketball team that’s worth keeping an eye on.
Seattle Storm Betting Preview
The Storm begin the Sonia Raman era and they’re in rebuild mode after losing three all-stars this offseason. The Storm went from competing for titles to not winning a playoff series since the 2022 season.
The Storm said goodbye to Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Gabby Williams, and they have just four players on their current roster over 26 years old. The Storm lost their top-five scorers from last season, which has many believing this will be a reset. As for the good news, the Storm have a strong frontcourt with Ezi Magbegor, Dominique Malonga, and rookie Awa Fam. The Storm also added rookie Flau’jae Johnson, who is a high-energy player and shined right away in the preseason. The Storm also get back Jordan Horston, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury. Horston was a candidate for Most Improved Player as well as Sixth Player of the Year in 2024. The household names are gone, but that doesn’t mean there’s no talent. If Johnson is really like that out of the gate, the Storm could surprise some folks this season.
Why the Seattle Storm will win
- The underdogs have won nine of the Storm’s last 11 games at Climate Pledge Arena.
- The Valkyries have lost nine of their last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Storm’s last 11 games at Climate Pledge Arena.
Why the Golden State Valkyries will win
- The Valkyries have won each of their last seven games as favorites.
- The Storm have lost each of their last three season openers.
- The Storm has failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 night games at Climate Pledge Arena.
- The Valkyries have covered the spread in each of their last four games as road favorites.
Total Points: Facts
- Thirteen of the Valkyries’ last 15 night games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the Storm’s last six home games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Seattle Storm Player Facts
- Dominique Malonga recorded 2+ steals + blocks in each of her last 12 games—the longest active streak of any player in the league.
Golden State Valkyries Player Facts
- Gabby Williams recorded at least 1 steal in 10 consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Veronica Burton was the only qualified player in the league to lead their team in blocks per game (0.6) and free-throw percentage (87.8%) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Seattle Storm ranked 1st for steals per game last season (8.5).
- The Seattle Storm ranked 1st for blocks per game last season (5.1).
- The Golden State Valkyries ranked 1st for opponent points per game last season (76.3).
- The Golden State Valkyries ranked 1st for opponent field goal percentage last season (40.5%).
Storm vs Valkyries Injury Report
The Valkyries don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
The Storm will be without Ezi Magbegor, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Awa Fam.
Storm vs Valkyries Prediction
This is going to be an interesting game, as it’s a chance for Gaby Williams to stick it to her former team. However, it’s also a chance for Flau’jae Johnson to make Golden State look foolish after trading her on draft night. Revenge spots in a season opener. I’m seated.
As for a pick, I have to lay the points with Golden State. The strength of this revamped Storm team is its front court and it won’t have Magbegor or Fam for this game. Magbegor has a foot injury and Fam is overseas. It takes away what the Storm want to do. The Valkyries are healthy and nasty defensively, and they should be able to beat up on a roster that’s missing key players. I’ll lay the points.