WNBA Game Preview: New York Liberty (24-16) vs. Golden State Valkyries (21-18)

Game Overview

• Date & Time: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – Tip-off 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT
• Venue: Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158
• Broadcast: WWOR (NY), KPIX+ / KMAX 31 (Bay Area), Liberty Live, WNBA League Pass

Weather Report (San Francisco, CA – Game Time)

• Conditions: Clear skies, mild evening
• Temperature: ~68°F (20°C) outside; indoor climate-controlled arena
• Impact: No weather effect on play

Injury Report

New York Liberty

• Breanna Stewart (F) – Out (leg)
• Nyara Sabally (C) – Out (knee)
• Sabrina Ionescu (G) – Questionable (toe)
• Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (F) – Out for season (offseason surgery)

Golden State Valkyries

• Kayla Thornton (F) – Out for season (knee)
• Tiffany Hayes (G) – Out (undisclosed)
• Cecilia Zandalasini (F) – Out (undisclosed)
• Monique Billings (F) – Available (recent return from injury)

Recent Form

New York Liberty

• Aug 30: L 63–80 @ Phoenix
• Aug 28: W 89–63 vs Washington
• Aug 25: W 81–79 vs Connecticut
• Aug 23: L 62–78 @ Atlanta
• Aug 21: L 85–91 vs Chicago

Golden State Valkyries

• Aug 30: W 99–62 vs Washington
• Aug 24: W 90–81 @ Dallas
• Aug 22: L 72–81 @ Phoenix
• Aug 19: L 91–98 vs Phoenix
• Aug 17: L 63–79 vs Atlanta

Key Player Matchups

Natasha Cloud (NYL) vs. Veronica Burton (GSV)

• Cloud: Floor general, 10.5 PPG, 6.5 APG; defensive disruptor.
• Burton: Team’s primary playmaker, 12.0 PPG, 5.8 APG; coming off 13-assist game vs. Indiana.

Jonquel Jones (NYL) vs. Iliana Rupert (GSV)

• Jones: 14.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG; dominant inside presence, 2024 Finals MVP.
• Rupert: Stretch big, 7.0 RPG; key to Valkyries’ defensive schemes.

Breanna Stewart’s Absence Impact

• Without Stewart, Liberty lose a 2-way star (18.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG), forcing more offensive load on Jones, Cloud, and potentially Ionescu if active.

Series History

• 2025 Season: Liberty lead 3–0
  • May 27: NYL 95–67 (home blowout)
  • May 29: NYL 82–77 (close finish)
  • June 25: NYL 81–78 (road rally by Ionescu in final 2 minutes)
• All-Time: Liberty 3–0 (Valkyries inaugural season)

Betting Trends

New York Liberty

• 14–24–2 ATS this season (3–15–1 ATS on road)
• Over is 20–20 in their games
• 24–8 SU as favorite

Golden State Valkyries

• 24–14–1 ATS overall (10–5 ATS as home underdog)
• Over is 18–21 in their games
• 12–7 SU at home

Head-to-Head

• Liberty 3–0 SU in 2025 vs. Valkyries
• 2 of 3 meetings went Under 156.5

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

• Liberty’s road ATS struggles vs. Valkyries’ strong home ATS record
• Stewart out, Ionescu questionable → potential offensive dip for NYL
• Valkyries’ defense (5th in WNBA defensive rating) vs. Liberty’s top-3 offense when healthy
• Pace: Both teams in bottom half of league in possessions per game