Date, Time, and Location: Sunday, May 10th, 5:30pm, Chase Center
Broadcast Information: KPYX (San Francisco Bay Area), KMAX (Sacramento Area), KTVK/Arizona’s Family Sports (opposition’s broadcast area), WNBA League Pass (streaming outside teams’ broadcast areas)
The Golden State Valkyries have their home opener on Sunday when they host the Phoenix Mercury. It will be a short turnaround for the visitors, who started their regular season with a finals rematch against the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday, but did get their starters some rest with a decisive 99-66 win. The Valkyries never defeated the Mercury in the regular season last year, losing all four matchups after a preseason win. Another victory to start the season, especially in front of what will be another loud home crowd, would help Golden State build early momentum.
The Valkyries
Golden State got the win in the home opener, but not without some more injury concerns. The left pinky injury that forced Tiffany Hayes out of yesterday’s game in the first quarter will also keep her out of the game. Cecilia Zandalasini has also been ruled out as she is in concussion protocol after getting hit in the face in the first half. All that news makes it likely that Miela Sowah will be set as active for this game so that the Valkyries have ten players available.
The Opposition
Phoenix currently has fourteen players on their main roster and are utilizing both developmental spots. They have seven returnees from last year, including the star duo of Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper as well as starting center Natasha Mack. DeWanna Bonner, who joined midseason, and Kiana Williams, who earned a contract for the rest of the season after impressing on short-term deals, also returned. Sami Whitcomb will miss this game due to an injury and Monique Akoa Makani will miss the game while competing in the finals in France.
The Mercury did not make a big free agent splash despite competing for the championship last year, relying on scouting again to bring in players with limited or no WNBA experience. Kyara Linskens, who appeared in a few games with the Valkyries last year, is one of them along with Anneli Maley, who they recently added after she was let go by New York. Valeriane Ayayi returns after over a decade away from the league, but she had to miss their first game due to an international clearance issue that is mysterious given that she and Janelle Salaun finished their seasons at the same time as championship-winning teammates.
Serbian shooting guard Jovana Nogic was the breakout star of their first game after getting the other spot in the starting lineup. She did not get a WNBA opportunity after her college career at Providence, but has had a successful time in Europe, most recently in Russia. French wing Noemie Brochant was brought in this year as well. Guard Sha Carter did not have a WNBA chance after finishing her college career, which started with four great seasons at the DII level, at Florida Gulf Coast, but worked her way into this chance with good seasons overseas. Forward Peyton Williams had one training camp chance one year after finishing her college career at Kansas State, but made it this time after Phoenix claimed her contract off of waivers from Portland. Valkyries draft pick Marta Suarez holds one developmental spot and undrafted guard Shay Ciezki holds the other spot, but neither of them were set as active for the first game.
Leave a Reply