The wait is finally over! Tip-off weekend for the WNBA’s 30th season is here, with strong competition across all 11 games. The final matchup of opening night features a defensive-minded Golden State Valkyries team taking on a new-look Seattle Storm. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET, with Golden State coming in as 5.5-point favorites and the total sitting at 156.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Let’s get into it!
Valkyries vs. Storm Preview
Golden State already exceeded early franchise expectations last year, finishing 23-21 and becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season. Heading into 2026, their identity really hasn’t changed. This is still a defense-first team that’s comfortable slowing things down while making life uncomfortable for opponents.
In the offseason, the Valks made a splash by signing former Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams to a three-year, $3.7 million contract (yes, she gets to face her former team on opening night). The fit feels perfect, as Williams brings elite length and disruption on the wing and is a dominant defender who stole the ball a whopping 99 times last season, just one shy of tying the W’s all-time record. While Golden State is defensive-minded on paper, the roster still provides some scoring upside. Veronica Burton showed real growth late last season, averaging 13.7 points per game after the All-Star break, while Kayla Thornton was even better before her injury, putting up 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds over 22 games. Juste Jocyte is the wildcard who could add something, but that’s still more projection than certainty.
As for Seattle, their identity is heading in a completely new direction after a major offseason overhaul. After losing Nneka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Brittney Sykes, the Storm enter 2026 with a youthful roster that brings strong frontcourt upside and plenty of size. Twenty-year-old Dominique Malonga is stepping into a larger role, and her production in extended minutes last season stands out. No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam from Spain brings a rare mix of size and fluidity, with the ability to handle, facilitate, and attack off the dribble. I’m very curious to see how head coach Noelle Quinn uses the two bigs together this season.
Ezi Magbegor is still out with a foot injury, which removes their most reliable defensive anchor and leaves them thinner inside than they’d like. That puts more pressure on a young frontcourt and shifts more of the scoring burden to former national champion Flau’jae Johnson on the perimeter. With Seattle retooling its offense and Golden State operating with a strong defensive identity, this game is shaping up to be a slower, grittier battle rather than a fast-paced, high-scoring matchup. Both teams are more comfortable making things physical and a little messy, but with the Valks’ core largely intact, I’m leaning toward their continuity to get the win tonight.
Valkyries vs. Storm, Best Bet
Golden State is the more complete team right now, while Seattle is still figuring things out and dealing with key absences. With a defensive battle likely to take place and an unproven offense in Seattle, the under is the more appetizing pick.
Lean: GS -5.5 (-110)
