With just about a month left to go in the WNBA regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. However, nothing is set in stone yet, and tonight’s matchup between the Golden State Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks will have key playoff implications as both teams are fighting for that No. 8 seed.
Looking at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, Los Angeles is a four-point favorite with -205 odds on the Moneyline. Golden State has +170 odds on the Moneyline of getting the win, while the total is set at 165 points. Let’s take a look at the best bets and predictions for this Valkyries-Sparks contest.
Valkyries vs. Sparks prediction, pick
Saturday’s contest will be the fourth and final matchup between the Valkyries and Sparks this regular season. Golden State has taken two of the three games so far this series, winning the last two each on the road. However, the last game between these two California teams was back on June 9, and both these teams look a bit different this time around.
The Sparks finally have a healthy squad with Cameron Brink recovered from her ACL tear that kept her out for 13 months. Brink has yet to play against the Valkyries, and since her return, Los Angeles is 3-1, winning three straight. Brink has brought her defensive prowess to the team with 10 blocks through four games, highlighted by a five-block game against the Fever on Aug. 5. However, it’s been the Sparks’ third-place offense that has been getting things done. Los Angeles has scored 100+ points in each of its last three games and five of its last six behind the hot hand of Rickea Jackson, who has averaged 20 points a game in those five games.
The Valkyries haven’t been quite as healthy, or offensively sound, for that matter. Golden State lost forward Kayla Thornton for the season after she injured her knee during practice coming out of the All-Star break. Thornton leads the team with 14 points and seven rebounds a game and the team has gone 4-3 without her. Despite remaining competitive, the Valkyries dropped their last two games while they average 77.9 points a game–11th in the league.
Although the Valkyries have one of the top defenses in the league, ranking second by allowing just 78.4 points per game to opponents, their offense is worrisome. Golden State hasn’t surpassed 80 points in seven games and has reached 100 just once this season, an earlier loss to Vegas with Thornton still healthy. With the Sparks heating up and healthy, they’ll be tough for the Valkyries to catch.
