We’re making history! A brand-new franchise is stepping onto a W court for the first time since 2008. Natalie Nakase’s Golden State Valkyries is finally making its debut and it’s a home game at the Chase Center on opening night, May 16, with tip-off at 10 p.m. ET. The Bay Area is already all in. The 17,428 fans packed the stands during the preseason, making it very clear – they’re riding with the Valkyries from day one.

Now, it’s up to the squad to make them proud. The first matchup isn’t a walk in the park. The Valkyries will face a reloaded Los Angeles Sparks team for the second time. This game will also mark the LA debut of three-time All-Star Kelsey Plum and LA coach Lynne Roberts. So, both teams are bringing the heat, with something to prove. 

Injuries & starting lineups

Let’s break down the injury report 

Valkyries Injury Report:

• Kate Martin (hand): Probable for the opener.
• Cecilia Zandalasini (foot): Out.
• Stephanie Talbot (quadriceps): Out.

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Sparks Injury Report:

• Cameron Brink (knee): Out, expected back in June.
• Julie Allemand (knee): Out for the opener.

Now onto the starting fives:

Valkyries:

• Kayla Thornton
• Monique Billings
• Temi Fagbenle
• Tiffany Hayes
• Veronica Burton

Sparks:

• Dearica Hamby
• Azura Stevens
• Rickea Jackson
• Kelsey Plum
• Rae Burrell

What to expect: Preview & prediction

The Valkyries are kicking things off with over 10,000 full season ticket holders. Only 5% of those folks are Warriors season ticket holders. Which means this isn’t just a side project for Bay Area fans, this is their team. On the opening day, every fan walking into the Chase Center tonight will get a “First of a Lifetime” Valkyries tee. 

Coming back to the court now. If you look at last season, the Sparks didn’t exactly shine. They finished with a rough 8-32 record. But Dearica Hamby was a straight-up beast – dropping 17.3 points and grabbing 9.2 boards per game. Odyssey Sims also held it down as their top assist-getter with 5.1 dimes a night. And both of them are still on the roster.

Meanwhile, the Valkyries are coming in off a 1-1 preseason and still finding their groove. But don’t sleep on them. They won their second preseason vs Phoenix Mercury. Even in their preseason against the Sparks, they nearly pulled off a stunner, losing by just one point, 83-82. The team clawed back from a 14-point deficit to tie it in the fourth. Hayes, Burton, Hamby, and Thornton all put up points and played both ends. So, the pieces are there. All they need now is execution. 

For now, predictions are mostly leaning toward the Sparks.