Date, Time, and Location: Sunday, August 2nd, 5:30pm, Chase Center
Broadcast Information: KPYX (San Francisco Bay Area) and KMAX (Sacramento Area) and KION (Monterey Bay Area), TSN (opposition’s broadcast area), WNBA League Pass (streaming outside of teams’ broadcast areas)
The Golden State Valkyries return home on Sunday for the first of two games against the Toronto Tempo to finish their regular season series as they look to quickly end their sudden losing streak. The teams met for the only time in Toronto early in July and the Valkyries were able to come away with the win. While the game is at home, there will be a special sponsored court floor for these two games. The game will be broadcast locally for the Valkyries and nationally in Canada.
The Valkyries
All eyes were on the initial injury report for the game to see if Gabby Williams would be available after missing the last game. She is listed as questionable again for reconditioning just as she was earlier this week. After she missed the first meeting between the teams, Temi Fagbenle is set to play in this game, allowing her to get her tribute video and the welcome that the players who finished last year with the team are getting on their returns to San Francisco. Which players are available for Toronto will determine what kinds of lineups they can run, which may make the Golden State smallball lineups more or less viable based on matchups.
The Opposition
Toronto’s first games after the All Star break were a home-and-home series with Minnesota on Tuesday and Thursday. They lost both games to stretch their losing streak to five games, including four games in a row where they have given up at least 100 points. They have only won one game in total after losing to the Valkyries and sit in the group of teams with 18 losses still trying to make a late run to get to a playoff place.
There is one difference on the roster since the teams met last month as they just made a trade on Friday for Aneesah Morrow from the Connecticut Sun. In order to create a roster spot to make the move, they waived Tima Pouye, leaving them with one fewer guard, but bolstering their frontcourt. Morrow is listed as out on their initial injury report along with Brittney Sykes, who has missed the last month and a half. Their leading scorer Marina Mabrey is listed as questionable with a neck injury as well while Isabelle Harrison is not listed despite not playing in the last game.
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