Head coach Natalie Nakase and the Golden State Valkyries will begin their inaugural season against the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Valkyries finalized their roster, which features Tiffany Hayes and Monique Billings. The roster does not feature any of their 2025 draft picks. Shyanne Sellers (Maryland, 17th overall pick) and Kaitlyn Chen (UConn, 30th overall pick) were waived. The Valkyries selected Lithuanian guard Justė Jocytė with the fifth overall pick, but she is not expected to join the team until 2026 as she focuses on EuroBasket with Lithuania.
Kelsey Plum will make her regular-season debut with the Sparks. The guard was traded by the Las Vegas Aces to Los Angeles as part of a three-team deal.
The Sparks earned a one-point victory over the Valkyries during the preseason.
Halftime: Sparks 42, Valkyries 39
Kelsey Plum had a team-high 11 points and five assists in the first half for the Sparks. Azura Stevens added 10 points and four rebounds.
Terri Fagbenle had 13 points and four rebounds for the Valkyries. Tiffany Hayes added 11 points and three rebounds.
1Q: Valkyries 20, Sparks 19
Temi Fagbenle and Tiffany Hayes had seven points and two rebounds each for the Valkyries. Kayla Thornton finished with four points and two rebounds.
Azura Stevens shot 3-for-4 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line to finish the quarter with eight points for the Sparks. She also had three defensive rebounds, three steals and a block. Kelsey Plum had six points, two assists and two steals.
Rae Burrell carried off with leg injury
Sparks forward Rae Burrell suffered a right knee injury with 3:04 left in the first quarter and needed assistance as she was carried back to the locker room.
Valkyries’ first franchise possession
Kayla Thornton scored the first points in Valkyries’ history with a 17-foot two-point shot. The ball was exchanged for another ball during a shot clock turnover and is expected to go to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to be displayed.
Los Angeles Sparks’ starting lineup
Kelsey Plum, Odyssey Sims, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens make up the Sparks’ starting lineup for the season opener against the Valkyries.
Golden State Valkyries’ starting lineup
Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Kayla Thornton and Temi Fagbenle will start in the Valkyries’ first regular-season game as a franchise.
What time is the Sparks vs. Valkyries game?
The Los Angeles Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries will tip off at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, May 16, at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
How to watch Sparks vs. Valkyries: TV, stream
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Location: Chase Center in San Francisco
TV: ION
Stream: Fubo, WNBA League Pass (free league pass preview)
Watch the Valkyries vs. Sparks live with Fubo