Game Preview: Regular Season Game 3 vs Los Angeles Sparks

Date, Time, Location: Friday, May 23rd, 7:00pm PDT, Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
Broadcast Information: ION (check local listings), WNBA League Pass (streaming), Audacy (radio)

After winning their first game, the Golden State Valkyries will play a road game for the first time this season when they visit the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday and try to continue the momentum before a tough stretch of games. ION carries the Friday games in the WNBA, but this game will be one of three at the same time, meaning that television viewers may have a different game on their local channel. The main game is Phoenix-Seattle so viewers outside of California may need to rely on streaming if listings indicate that the game will not be on television. There are tickets available for those who plan to watch in person, but the Sparks have closed off some of the sections in their arena from sale.

The Valkyries

Golden State was able to get that first win on Wednesday and now has the chance to avenge their opening defeat against Los Angeles. The shots finally started falling in the fourth quarter and that will also be a big factor in this game. Unfortunately, the injury suffered by Tiffany Hayes will keep her out of this game and Cecilia Zandalasini is still unavailable while Monique Billings suffered a minor injury and could also be out for this game. Stephanie Talbot being able to play in the last game gives her the chance to play against her former team after missing their previous meeting.

The Opposition

The Los Angeles Sparks have played twice since defeating the Valkyries in the opener, losing 89-75 to the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday and then falling short 89-86 against the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday. The injury that Rae Burrell suffered against Golden State will keep her out of this game and Rickea Jackson was injured in their next game and will miss another game. Julie Allemand did return from preseason surgery after the last game so there should be a battle of Belgian backup point guards. Being down to nine healthy players entitled the team to sign a player on a hardship contract and they brought back Liatu King, who was in their training camp and played against the Valkyries in the preseason game. Emma Cannon and Sania Feagin, who were healthy scratches in the opener, did play for the first time this season on Wednesday.