Game Preview: Preseason Game 1 vs Los Angeles Sparks

Date, Time, Location: Tuesday, May 6th, 7:00pm PDT, Chase Center
Broadcast Information: KPIX+ (KPYX) and WNBA League Pass

The Golden State Valkyries play their first ever game when the preseason gets underway on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Sparks. In addition to seeing the players in action for the first time, fans attending the game will get to experience the setup for home games this year. The game will also be broadcast both on local television and on the WNBA’s streaming service. Los Angeles will also be the opposition for the season opener, which will also be at home.

The Valkyries

Barring any additional moves, the team will have 16 players in town on Tuesday and there is no rule against all of them taking the floor. With a new coach and new players, the starting lineup and rotations will be the first indicators of who is impressing early and who might be in danger of being waived before opening day. With spots on the team up for grabs for a number of players and the coaching staff wanting to make a good first impression, the team could treat the game more competitively than how more established teams have approached their exhibitions.

The Opposition

The Los Angeles Sparks have been in rebuilding mode after missing the playoffs for four straight seasons. Concerned about their progress towards their goals last season, the team made a coaching change in the offseason, taking the college route with Lynne Roberts from Utah. With a new staff in place looking to impress and players also trying to establish their roles, they could also be trying to be as competitive as possible in this game, their only preseason test.

The Sparks currently have 16 players under contract, including 7 players who finished last season with the team, although Cameron Brink’s injury recovery will keep her from being able to play in this game. The big news for the team in the offseason was their trade centered around the second pick in the draft to bring in Kelsey Plum. As a result, their first pick was Sarah Ashlee Barker later in the round and Sania Feagin and Liatu King are the other draftees. Their other rookie is Shaneice Swain, an Australian guard who was drafted in 2003.

Besides Plum, the team will be looking to build around young star Rickea Jackson and veterans Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens early in the season. Rae Burrell is in the second year of a contract she signed last season while Odyssey Sims and Aari McDonald are point guards who the team brought back in free agency. Another point guard, Julie Allemand, will also miss the game due to injury, preventing the possibility of three Belgians taking the court at the same time. With Brink out for the start of the season, the team brought in Mercedes Russell and Emma Cannon to provide additional experience in the post and Maria Kliundikova returns having had a child and gotten married since last playing for the team in 2019.

Logistics

The Valkyries have not announced the exact broadcast schedule, but did announce that they will partner with CBS channels in the Bay Area and Sacramento media markets for local broadcasts. This game will only be on KPYX in the Bay Area, but will be available on the WNBA’s league pass streaming service as well.

The team has been adding and taking away tickets based on season ticket and mini-plan sales but tickets remain available from them directly in addition to what can be purchased from the secondary market. The crowd is expected to be large, especially in comparison to most home-market WNBA preseason games so fans may want to arrive early with new fans finding their seats and staffing getting set for the season. As is the case with other events at Chase Center, tickets also serve as Muni passes for the day.