Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
The Valkyries, second in the Western Conference and already playoff-clinched, visit the eliminated Sun in what is likely one of the final games at Mohegan Sun Arena before the franchise relocates. Golden State seeks a season-series sweep after wins of 97-70 (May 25 at home) and 79-64 (July 10 in Uncasville).
Current Rosters
Golden State Valkyries (coach Natalie Nakase): Gabby Williams (F, ~14.4 PPG), Veronica Burton (G, ~12.5 PPG, 5.6 APG), Janelle Salaün (F, ~13.1 PPG), Cecilia Zandalasini (F), Tiffany Hayes (G), Kayla Thornton (F), Kiah Stokes (C), Kaitlyn Chen (G), Kaila Charles (G/F), Laeticia Amihere (F), plus depth including Justė Jocytė, Ashten Prechtel, and others. Iliana Rupert is out for the season (pregnancy).
Connecticut Sun (coach Rachid Meziane): Aaliyah Edwards (F, recently 26 points/10 rebounds vs. Chicago), Diamond Miller (F), Kennedy Burke (G/F), Saniya Rivers (G), Charlisse Leger-Walker (G), Hailey Van Lith (G), Raegan Beers (F), Nell Angloma (F), Ashlon Jackson (G), Gianna Kneepkens (G), and others. Leila Lacan (overseas/World Cup obligations, out until mid-September), Brittney Griner (knee), and Olivia Nelson-Ododa (knee) are out or have been sidelined recently; Rayah Marshall has been a coach’s decision absence.
Injury Reports
Valkyries: Iliana Rupert out for season (pregnancy/not injury-related). No major additional absences reported for this matchup (Ashten Prechtel has been a recent coach’s decision in some games).
Sun: Brittney Griner out (knee); Olivia Nelson-Ododa out (knee); Leila Lacan out (overseas obligations, expected return ~Sept. 17); Rayah Marshall out (coach’s decision in recent games). Aaliyah Edwards has been available and productive.
Recent Team Forms
Valkyries (last 10: ~7-3; current streak W1): Strong overall defensive team (league-best or near-best points allowed ~76.3 PPG). Recent results include a statement 80-66 road win at Minnesota (Aug. 24, Zandalasini 18 points), a narrow 70-73 loss at Chicago (Aug. 21), and a 66-77 home loss to Minnesota (Aug. 19). They are 11-6 on the road.
Sun (last 10: 3-7; current streak W1): Struggling offense (~79 PPG, near bottom) and defense. They snapped a skid with an 87-81 home win over Chicago on Aug. 25 (Edwards career-high 26 points and 10 rebounds). Prior results: losses at LA (68-77) and Las Vegas (78-101), home win vs. LA (85-77). Home record ~7-12.
Series History (2026 and recent)
Golden State leads the 2026 season series 2-0 and has dominated recent meetings. Key results: GSV 97-70 (May 25), GSV 79-64 (July 10 at Connecticut). Overall recent H2H favors the Valkyries heavily.
Key Player Matchups
Gabby Williams / Veronica Burton vs. Sun perimeter (Rivers, Leger-Walker, Burke, Van Lith): Williams (scoring/steals leader for GSV) and playmaking Burton (5.6 APG, efficient) against a depleted Sun backcourt missing Lacan. Valkyries excel at forcing turnovers (low TOs themselves at ~10.4).
Valkyries frontcourt (Stokes, Thornton, Salaün, Amihere) vs. Aaliyah Edwards / Diamond Miller / available bigs: Edwards is the Sun’s hottest player post-injuries. Stokes provides rim protection (team blocks leader); Golden State’s length and defensive rating should limit second-chance points.
Three-point shooting and pace: Valkyries rank high in 3PM (~10.6, strong %) while Sun struggle from deep (~5.6 made, low %). GSV’s low-turnover, defensive style vs. Sun’s higher turnover rate favors the visitors controlling tempo.
Team stats edge heavily to Golden State: superior net rating, elite defense, fewer turnovers, and better three-point volume/efficiency.
Betting Trends
Valkyries ATS roughly 20-16 season; strong as favorites and on the road in many spots. Sun have covered better at home in spots but overall poor SU record. Totals have leaned under in several recent GSV games and some Sun contests. Prior meetings: one high-scoring (97-70), one lower (79-64 under). Valkyries’ defensive identity and Sun injuries support a controlled, lower-scoring game relative to league averages.
GAME ODDS
Golden State Valkyries – 14
Connecticut Sun 151.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, August 25, 2026
