Date, Time, and Location: Sunday, August 9th, 4:00pm, Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
Broadcast Information: ESPN (full national) and ESPN Deportes (Spanish language), Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited (streaming)
The Golden State Valkyries finish off their short road trip on Sunday when they visit the Los Angeles Sparks. Their opponents were hoping to make a playoff push this year, but early promise to their season has faded as they sit five games in the loss column behind the last spots. They have proven to be a tough opponent for the top teams and the travel always has an effect, leaving the Valkyries wary as they try to extend their winning streak. The game will be nationally broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes so there will be no local broadcasts.
The Valkyries
It is not a clean initial injury report for the Valkyries for this game as Cecilia Zandalasini is listed as questionable with left quadriceps soreness. She did close out the last game, playing 18 minutes overall. The Valkyries have been pretty settled in their rotation so they would need to shift minutes around quite a bit if she is not available. Smallball lineups will be possible with Los Angeles running post lineups that feature quickness and perimeter play.
The Opposition
The Sparks are currently the team that is closest to the playoff spots out of all of the non-playoff teams, having just played at Minnesota on Thursday and picking up an impressive comeback win. Rae Burrell was their leading scorer in that game, but she is listed on their initial injury report even though she is still considered probable to play. It was their second win on the three-game road trip having come off of a six-game losing streak. They had a winning record before facing the Valkyries and only have a 5-11 record since that loss.
The big move that Los Angeles made recently was trading away Kelsey Plum to Phoenix as they figured that making the playoffs was too unlikely to sacrifice the opportunity to obtain future draft picks. They added Monique Akoa Makani in the deal and she has slotted in at backup point guard, although she is listed as questionable on the initial injury report. The move came after the team fired Raegan Pebley from the general manager position as her offseason transactions to bring in veterans had not led to the expected improvement in their record.
Shortly after facing Golden State, they offered a regular contract to Phoenix developmental player Kiana Williams, waiving Sania Feagin to open up a roster space when the Mercury did not match. They made multiple changes around their developmental players as well, starting when they released Laura Ziegler and brought back Alissa Pili after she finished last season with the team, but was not ready to return at the start of this campaign. Kate Martin was offered a regular contract, which meant that they waived rookie Ta’Niya Latson. Her spot was eventually filled by rookie Tonie Morgan, who had been drafted by Chicago, but did not make their final roster.
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