Game Preview: Regular Season Game 9 vs Los Angeles Sparks

Date, Time, Location: Monday, June 9th, 7:00pm PDT, Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
Broadcast Information: KPYX (Bay Area) and KMAX (Sacramento area), Spectrum SportsNet (away team market), WNBA League Pass (outside local markets), Audacy (radio)

The Golden State Valkyries are back in action on Monday night against a familiar foe, the Sparks. This will be their second visit to Los Angeles having already hosted them in an exhibition game and the regular season opener. Coming off Saturday’s big win, it will be important for the team to show that they can keep the momentum going, especially against a team that they have defeated before and before players depart for national team duty. This is not a game where the Sparks are selling seats in all sections of their arena.

The Valkyries

The health question for Golden State continues to be when Tiffany Hayes is able to return. Cecilia Zandalasini has already left the team to head to Italy’s national squad. Laeticia Amihere just signed in time to join up with the Valkyries for this trip. Julie Vanloo and Julie Allemand will be squaring off as opponents for this game and then they have to return to being teammates as they depart to be the starting backcourt for Belgium’s national team. Janelle Salaun is also set to leave for France after this game too so more signings can be made.

The Opposition

There have been no roster changes for the Sparks since they last played the Valkyries, but Rickea Jackson is healthy again while Rae Burrell and Cameron Brink remain unavailable. Since that loss to Golden State, Los Angeles is 2-3 with both wins coming over teams at the bottom of the standings and the losses coming to teams in playoff places. They are 1-1 in the Commissioner’s Cup, but with difficult games to close out that portion of the schedule. With Jackson back, their starting lineup continues to be very dangerous.