WNBA Game Preview: Indiana Fever (21-18) vs. Golden State Valkyries (20-18)

Weather Update

Conditions: Indoor venue — no weather impact on play.

Outside Forecast (San Francisco): Clear skies, ~67°F at tip‑off, light winds.

Injury Report

Indiana Fever:

Caitlin Clark (G) – OUT (groin/ankle) – Hasn’t played since July 15; participated in non‑contact drills recently.

Georgia Amoore (G) – OUT (ACL)

Jacy Sheldon (G) – OUT (lower body)

Golden State Valkyries:

Monique Billings (F) – OUT (ankle)

Sophie Cunningham (G) – OUT for season (knee)

Kayla Thornton (F) – OUT for season (knee)

Aari McDonald (G) – OUT for season (foot)

Sydney Colson (G) – OUT for season (knee)

Recent Form

Indiana Fever – Last 5: W‑W‑L‑L‑W

Coming off a dramatic 76‑75 win over LA Sparks (Odyssey Sims: 21 pts; Aliyah Boston: 22 pts, 11 reb, 6 stl).

Averaging 85.3 PPG (4th in WNBA), shooting 45.7% FG, 35.0% 3P, 77.2% FT.

Defense allows 82.6 PPG (9th), opponents shooting 44.6%.

Golden State Valkyries – Last 5: W‑W‑L‑L‑L

Beat Dallas Wings 90‑81 in last outing (16‑of‑38 from 3, 100% FT).

Averaging 78.0 offensive rating, 32.2% 3P, 9.8 threes made per game.

Defense allows 77.5 PPG, opponents shooting 41.3%.

Series History

2025 Season Series: Golden State leads 2‑0 (both wins by double digits).

Head‑to‑Head: Fever have not beaten Valkyries since GS joined the league.

GS has already clinched the season tiebreaker over IND.

Key Player Matchups

Kelsey Mitchell (IND) vs. Veronica Burton (GS)

Mitchell: Career year — 20+ PPG, elite true shooting; primary scoring threat without Clark.

Burton: Floor general, 5.4 APG, tasked with containing Mitchell’s perimeter game.

Aliyah Boston (IND) vs. Iliana Rupert (GS)

Boston: 15+ PPG, 8+ RPG, dominant in paint; coming off 27 pts vs. SEA and 22 vs. LA.

Rupert: Stretch‑5 skillset, will try to pull Boston away from rim defensively.

Natasha Howard (IND) vs. Temi Fagbenle (GS)

Howard: Veteran two‑way forward, key in transition defense.

Fagbenle: Physical interior presence, strong on offensive glass.

Betting Trends

Indiana Fever:

4‑1 ATS last 5 games.

Over is 3‑2 in last 5.

Golden State Valkyries:

2‑3 ATS last 5 games.

Over is 4‑1 in last 5 home games.

Head‑to‑Head:

Over is 3‑1 in last 4 meetings.

GS 4‑0 ATS lifetime vs. IND.

Suggested Wagering Model

Primary Lean: Fever ‑2.5

Indiana’s frontcourt (Boston/Howard) has a clear size and efficiency edge, especially with GS missing multiple forwards.

Fever’s offense is top‑4 in the league; GS defense has slipped in last 5 games (allowing 80+ in 4 of 5).

Secondary Lean: Over 162.5

Both teams trending Over recently; GS’s high 3‑point volume + Fever’s efficient FG% create pace and scoring potential.

Prop Angle: Aliyah Boston Over Points/Rebounds Combo

Boston has averaged 24 pts + 10 reb in last 3 games; GS thin in frontcourt depth.