The Golden State Valkyries are ranked #9 across the W’s teams, but they really aren’t one of those bottom teams. They have consistently improved and will continue to do so. Just look at their recent win against the #5 LV Aces! The team really handed an embarrassing L to Becky Hammon despite being the league’s first expansion team in 17 years and having a brand-new roster.
Now, sitting at a 3-5 record, the team will aim to even things out against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Crypto.com Arena. The Sparks took the win in their preseason clash, and the two regular-season matchups saw each side claim a victory. But the big question remains. Are they at full strength to take down a squad that’s already defeated them twice this year?
Will Tiffany Hayes join the Valkyries?
Well, the need to win the upcoming game is dire for GSV. While some may argue that the preseason matchup doesn’t count, it still lingers in the players’ minds, and by that measure, the Sparks hold the edge. Grabbing a win would also help the Valkyries overtake the Mystics in the rankings. So, considering this situation, losing out on 10 points per game isn’t ideal, especially when the opposing team is coming off a 93–79 win against the Dallas Wings, with Azurá Stevens nailing a career high of 5 threes.
But there’s no choice for the Valkyries, as Tiffany Hayes is once again ruled out due to her nose injury. For those unaware, it’s an injury she sustained against the Mystics in the late second quarter. After taking an arm to the face from the Mystics’ Shakira Austin, she went down for several minutes and was then helped off the court.
Tiffany Hayes (nose) ruled out for Monday.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 8, 2025
She didn’t return to help the Valkyries and was subsequently ruled out for three games. She made a return against the Minnesota Lynx wearing a face mask, but that didn’t work either, as she re-injured her nose after going down hard about four minutes before halftime. This marks her second consecutive game being ruled out.
Well, this season hasn’t really been kind to the 12-year vet, as she’s managed to play only one full game so far. Still, her influence on the team is dynamic. Kayla Thornton put it best: “Her going down—that’s a big part of our team—but I just told the girls we’ve got to step up, the next person has to step up, and we did that tonight..I’m blessed, I’m grateful. That win was for Tiff and also for the fans. Our first win—it’s just the beginning.”
And that’s true. She’s not just averaging 10 points and 100% from the free-throw line, but the last time she played against the Sparks, she contributed 19 points. And since her absence, the Valkyries have managed just one win, against the Aces. Now, they’ll be hoping to make it happen again versus the Sparks this Tuesday.
But it isn’t just the Valkyries with an incomplete roster! The LA Sparks will also be without two key contributors. While Cameron Brink has been ruled out since last year, joining her on the sidelines is Rae Burrell, who has also been out for 22 days.
Here’s the starting five for tomorrow’s game!
So, who’s starting for Sparks tomorrow? Here’s the lineup stepping up:
Kelsey Plum
Odyssey Sims
Rickea Jackson
Azure Stevens
Dearica Hamby
And for GSV, we’ve got:
Veronica Burton
Janelle Salaun
Kate Martin
Kayla Thornton
Temi Fagbenle
Game day outlook: Sparks vs. Valkyries
Well, there’s no doubt the upcoming game between the LA Sparks and GSV has all the makings of a tight battle, but if we’re reading the signs right, the Sparks might just have the upper hand this time. They’re coming off a confident 93–79 win over the Dallas Wings, arguably their most well-rounded performance of the season. Just consider they shot a scorching 55% from the field and held the Wings to just 42.5%. It finally looked like all the pieces were clicking.
Jun 1, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (center) drives against Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (left) and forward Janelle Salaun (13) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
That said, you can’t count out the Valkyries. They stunned everyone with a 95–68 blowout over the Las Vegas Aces, a statement win led by Kayla Thornton, who dropped 22 points and grabbed 11 boards. They’ve been better than their record suggests, losing tight games to playoff contenders like Phoenix and New York. And to their credit, they’ve been relentless on the boards and bring a ton of energy, feeding off a passionate fan base in their debut season.
Yet, when you dig into the numbers, the Sparks come out slightly ahead. They’ve been more efficient from the field and beyond the arc, and they’re doing a better job of taking care of the ball. Just consider their first game this season, wherein LA forced 22 Valkyries turnovers and capitalized on those mistakes. The Valkyries, on the other hand, struggled with consistency from deep and gave up way too many fast-break points. That’s where LA could separate itself again.
Bottom line? If the Sparks can build on their momentum and stay disciplined on both ends, this might be the game where they finally notch back-to-back wins. The Valkyries will definitely put up a fight—they always do—but the Sparks’ experience and offensive rhythm give them a slight edge.
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