Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the WNBA match.
This is undoubtedly the standout fixture of the day. The Golden State Valkyries are enjoying a strong run of form, having defeated several high-calibre opponents. They now face the challenge of hosting the New York Liberty, who are currently going through a difficult spell. An upset could well be on the cards.
Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries have won four of their last five games. Most notably, they recorded victories against the Indiana Fever (88:77) and the Seattle Storm (76:70) – both of whom sit among the top three in their respective conferences. Kayla Thornton has been in excellent form during this run, averaging 20.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, Tiffany Hayes has made a successful return from injury, contributing 12.6 points per game over her last three appearances.
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty, by contrast, are struggling. A major factor is the absence of several key players due to injury. Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Leonie Fiebich are all unavailable, and each is typically part of the starting five. Their absence goes a long way to explaining why the team is failing to compete at the expected level. The New York Liberty were unable to offer real resistance against either the Seattle Storm (79:89) or the Phoenix Mercury (81:89). The Golden State Valkyries are at least on par with those opponents.
Golden State Valkyries vs New York Liberty Prediction
Despite their dip in form, the New York Liberty are still being considered favourites. This presents a valuable opportunity. The Golden State Valkyries have found their rhythm and hold home-court advantage. They are well-positioned to make life difficult for the visitors.
