Date, Time, and Location: Wednesday, October 7th, 6:30pm, Chase Center
Broadcast Information: Peacock (streaming full national)/NBCSN (carried by some providers)
The Golden State Valkyries host the Las Vegas Aces again on Wednesday, looking to build their series lead before hitting the road for the next game on Friday. Sunday’s win was massive for the team in proving that they could win this matchup and they will be looking to carry the momentum from that victory and the home crowd. The first game saw both teams make some moves to try to get a strategic edge in the game and this game also figures to be a time when the coaching staffs will be making further adjustments after seeing the opposition. The main broadcast for this game is on streaming service Peacock with some providers also carrying the NBCSN channel that specifically broadcasts sports from the service.
The Valkyries
It is another clean initial injury report for the Valkyries for this game as they used ten different players in the first half of the last game. There were some surprises in that process as Aminata Gueye played backup center and ended up making major contributions. Having another taller and stronger center option is important in this matchup and she figures to play a role again, although Las Vegas will certainly view her as more of a threat to watch on the offensive end this time. There were plenty of minutes tweaks based on the Aces lineup and how the game was playing out, so the expectation should be more standard rotations early with adjustments as the game continues. What lineups Las Vegas has at their disposal will also affect how the Valkyries choose to attack the defense.
The Opposition
After the last game, the most anticipated aspect of this game was the Las Vegas injury report and there was plenty of conjecture before the initial release deadline. Stephanie Talbot is listed as questionable, which is the same status she as she had before the last game, while Dana Evans has been upgraded to questionable after being ruled out at this stage recently. After exiting early in the second half on Sunday, Jewell Loyd is listed as doubtful for this game with a left leg injury.
How many of those three players are available will be a key factor in the game as it will determine how many perimeter players that the Aces can deploy without going to much taller lineups than usual. With only three guards left by the end of the game, they scrambled to get rest for any of them in the second half. Even with those players back, Las Vegas would be likely to continue to play their double-post lineup over their smallball lineups, trying all three of their centers in the first half of the game to see how they matched up with the Valkyries.
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