WNBA Game Preview: Golden State Valkyries (13-13) vs. Chicago Sky (7-19)

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Game Details

Date: Friday, August 1, 2025

Time: 7:30 PM ET

Venue: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL

Broadcast: ION, WNBA League Pass

Season Series: Golden State leads 1–0

Team Overview & Form

Golden State Valkyries (13–13)

Conference Standing: 8th in Western Conference

Recent Form: Won 2 of last 3 games

Last Game: Defeated Washington Mystics 68–67

Key Players:

Tiffany Hayes: 12.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 46.3% FG over last 10 games

Veronica Burton: 10.7 PPG, 5.2 APG

Iliana Rupert & Temi Fagbenle: Anchoring the paint in absence of Kayla Thornton

Injury Report:

Kayla Thornton (14.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG) – out for season (knee)

Monique Billings – limited minutes due to ankle injury

Cecilia Zandalasini – day-to-day (ankle)

Chicago Sky (7–19)

Conference Standing: 5th in Eastern Conference

Recent Form: Lost 6 straight games

Last Game: Lost to Washington Mystics 103–86

Key Players:

Angel Reese: 17.9 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG – OUT (back injury)

Kamilla Cardoso: 12.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG – expected to lead frontcourt

Rachel Banham: Averaging 14.3 PPG over last 10 games

Injury Report:

Angel Reese – out (back)

Ariel Atkins – out (leg)

Hailey Van Lith – questionable (ankle)

Courtney Vandersloot – out for season (ACL)

Head-to-Head Matchup

DateResultLocation
June 28Valkyries 83–78Golden State
August 1TBDChicago

Last Meeting: Kayla Thornton scored 29 points in Valkyries’ win

Win Probability: Valkyries 57%, Sky 43

Key Storylines

Angel Reese Injury Blow: Reese leads the WNBA in rebounding and has logged 11 straight double-doubles. Her absence is a major setback for Chicago.

Valkyries’ Defensive Grit: Despite scoring just 6 points in the fourth quarter vs. Washington, Golden State held the Mystics to one field goal in the final 7:20 to seal the win.

Rachel Banham’s Role: With Reese and Atkins out, Banham is expected to shoulder the scoring load. She’s hit double figures in her last three games and shoots 38.9% from deep.

Playoff Implications: Golden State sits in the final playoff spot and needs a win to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

GAME ODDS

Golden State Valkyries                  – 5.5

Chicago Sky                                        155.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, July 31, 2025