Date, Time, and Location: Sunday, May 31st, 12:30pm, Chase Center
Broadcast Information: NBC (full national), Peacock (streaming)
The Golden State Valkyries continue their homestand on Sunday when they host the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. The game will provide another big challenge and the opportunity to continue to prove that they should be considered part of the upper group of teams this season. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and is likely to start slightly later compared to the posted time than a typical game shown by other broadcasters.
The Valkyries
Golden State enters the game with a clean injury report again as the question will be whether the developmental players are active. As was the case last year, there are plenty of ties between the teams from Natalie Nakase’s coaching experience in Las Vegas to Tiffany Hayes’s time there as a player. Kiah Stokes adds to the former Aces contingent this year after signing from there in free agency after playing a role in multiple championships. On the other side, Stephanie Talbot was a free agent signing for Las Vegas this year after spending part of last season with the Valkyries, grabbing a spot in the starting lineup to help balance out their rotations.
The Opposition
Even though their main players were free agents, Las Vegas made keeping their championship core a priority, signing Jackie Young to a one-year market max deal and Chelsea Gray to a three-year contract at less than the maximum. A’ja Wilson also returned as expected, signing to the new type of contract that is guaranteed to be at the absolute maximum for all three years. Jewell Loyd signed for three years, Dana Evans signed for two years and NaLyssa Smith signed for one year. Kierstan Bell also returned for a minimum unguaranteed contract for the year and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus returned for the veteran minimum after missing most of last season due to pregnancy.
There were several more free agent moves for the team as Brianna Turner was brought in to fill in as a backup post player. After not playing in the league last season, Chennedy Carter signed to provide some needed bench scoring. They had two draft picks, keeping their first pick Janiah Barker, although she has yet to play with an injury being a factor. The ring celebration in the season opener was short-lived for the Aces as they were blown out by Phoenix. They looked to have righted the ship with four straight wins, but they come into this game having lost two straight against Los Angeles and Dallas. Dana Evans is listed as out again on the injury report while Jewell Loyd is listed as questionable.
Leave a Reply