Date, Time, Location: Tuesday, September 2nd, 7:00pm PDT, Chase Center
Broadcast Information: KPYX (Bay Area) and KMAX (Sacramento area), WWOR and FOX Local and Liberty Live (opposition’s home market), WNBA League Pass (out-of-market streaming), KGMZ (radio)
The Golden State Valkyries will look to extend their winning streak when they play the middle game of this homestand on Tuesday, hosting the New York Liberty. This will be the last chance of the regular season for them to get their first ever win over the Liberty as they face the team right above them in the standings. A playoff spot cannot be clinched with a win, but they would be right on the brink while New York would officially clinch their playoff spot if they win.
The Valkyries
There was big news for the Valkyries on Monday when it was announced that Monique Billings would be available for this game. As a result, Bree Hall was released as the team would be up to ten healthy players even thoughTiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini remain sidelined. New York would already tend towards having a height advantage even if everyone was healthy, but having a fourth post player will limit the need for smallball lineups for Golden State and allow them to match up better. Temi Fagbenle, Janelle Salaun, Carla Leite, Iliana Rupert, and Kaila Charles all did not play in the last matchup with the Liberty.
The Opposition
New York is in the middle game of a cross-country road trip, having lost to the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday. Their last game against the Valkyries was also in San Francisco back in late June and they have had their struggles since then with only an 11-13 record in that time. Injuries have not helped, but they could actually have their full roster for this game. Sabrina Ionescu will be looking to make her second homecoming visit to the Bay Area, but she and Nyara Sabally did miss their last game and are still questionable in the latest injury report.
The Liberty made some moves since their last game against the Valkyries, starting with signing Stephanie Talbot after she was waived by Golden State as she will get her first return to the Chase Center. They also won the free agent sweepstakes for post player Emma Meesseman, who waited until after EuroBasket to sign because the league’s prioritization rules would not have allowed her to participate in the full training camp for Belgium’s national team as she eventually let them to the title. In order to make room for more veterans, they waived their two least experienced players Marquesha Davis and Jaylyn Sherrod. Besides the two newcomers, the other players to miss out on the last game in San Francisco were Leonie Fiebich due to national duty, and Jonquel Jones due to injury.
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