Tip-off 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT)
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
This is the regular-season finale for both teams. The Valkyries are fighting for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference/playoffs (a win would lock it in, depending on other results). The Sparks have been eliminated from postseason contention. Notably, this is expected to be the final WNBA game for Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike, who has announced her retirement at the end of the season.
Current Player Rosters (Key Contributors)
Golden State Valkyries:
Key players include forward Gabby Williams, guard Veronica Burton (elite assist-to-turnover ratio and playmaking), Tiffany Hayes, Cecilia Zandalasini, Janelle Salaün, Kayla Thornton, and center Kiah Stokes. The roster emphasizes balanced scoring, defense, and ball movement.
Los Angeles Sparks:
Led by forward Nneka Ogwumike (averaging around 17+ PPG and 8+ RPG in her final season). Supporting cast includes Dearica Hamby, Erica Wheeler, and others. Depth has been tested by injuries.
Scheduled Tip-Off Time and Broadcast10:00 p.m. ET on Spectrum SportsNet, KPIX+, KMAX 31, and WNBA League Pass.
Listed Injury Reports
Golden State Valkyries:
Gabby Williams (F, reconditioning) – Day-to-day.
Cecilia Zandalasini (F, reconditioning) – Day-to-day.
Janelle Salaün (F, reconditioning) – Day-to-day.
Iliana Rupert (C, pregnancy) – Out for season.
Los Angeles Sparks:
Cameron Brink (F, ankle) – Out.
Aaliyah Nye (G/F, ankle) – Out.
Dearica Hamby (F, knee) – Probable / day-to-day.
Both sides have availability questions, particularly with reconditioning for several Valkyries forwards and key Sparks absences.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Veronica Burton / Gabby Williams (Valkyries) vs. Erica Wheeler / Nneka Ogwumike (Sparks): Burton’s playmaking and Williams’ two-way contributions against Ogwumike’s efficient scoring and rebounding in her farewell.
Interior and wing battles involving Stokes/Thornton against Hamby and remaining Sparks frontcourt.
Team styles: Valkyries feature strong defense (top defensive metrics) and efficient offense; Sparks rely on Ogwumike’s production but have struggled overall (higher points allowed). Golden State averages lower scoring but allows far fewer points.
Recent Team Forms
Golden State Valkyries: Strong overall (around 7-3 in recent stretches before a recent OT loss at Portland). Excellent road record in stretches and dominant against weaker opponents.
Los Angeles Sparks: Inconsistent (roughly 4-6 in last 10). Recent mixed results, including a loss to Las Vegas. Home record around 8-13.
Series History (2026)
Valkyries lead the season series 2-0 (wins by 20 points on June 15 and by 6 on Aug. 9). Golden State has controlled the matchup.
Betting Trends
covers.com
Trends heavily favor the Valkyries as road favorites due to superior record, defense, and head-to-head dominance. Large spreads can be tricky in finales if the favorite rests players or the home team plays with emotion (especially with Ogwumike’s potential last game). Unders are common in lower-scoring Valkyries games.
GAME ODDS
Golden State Valkyries – 10.5
Los Angeles Sparks 157.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, September 23, 2026
