Pregame Report: Golden State Valkyries Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Los Angeles Sparks

The Golden State Valkyries will look to continue their strong stretch of play when they visit the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena. Golden State enters the matchup with a 22-9 record and has won three straight games, while the Sparks are 12-18. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PDT, with the game airing nationally on ESPN.

The Valkyries are coming off an impressive 94-76 road victory over the Dallas Wings on Friday. Veronica Burton led Golden State with 22 points, seven assists and zero turnovers, while Gabby Williams added 19 points. Kayla Thornton recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Kiah Stokes contributed seven points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Golden State shot 46.5 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three-point range in the win.

Burton enters Sunday’s game playing some of her best basketball of the season. She is averaging 12.5 points, 5.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game and leads the league with a 3.63 assist-to-turnover ratio. Golden State is 15-1 when Burton records at least six assists. Against Dallas, she posted her second consecutive game with at least 10 points, five assists and zero turnovers.

Golden State’s defense will be a major factor against a Los Angeles team that is averaging 89.6 points per game. The Valkyries are allowing a league-low 77.1 points per game and have held opponents to 74.9 points per game over their last 10 contests, going 8-2 during that stretch. Golden State has also held opponents to 70 points or fewer nine times this season.

The Sparks present a different challenge offensively. Los Angeles averages 89.6 points per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. The Sparks are also averaging 22.2 assists per game, compared with 19.1 for Golden State. However, Los Angeles is averaging 14.8 turnovers per game, compared with 11.3 for the Valkyries.

Golden State has already defeated Los Angeles once this season, earning a 78-58 victory at Chase Center on June 15. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 16 points, while Kaila Charles came off the bench to post 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Golden State jumped out to a 25-10 lead after the first quarter and held the Sparks to 33.3 percent shooting for the game.

The Valkyries have also controlled the all-time series recently, winning four of the five meetings between the teams. Golden State has won both meetings played in Los Angeles, including an 89-81 overtime victory in 2025.

One lineup question remains for Golden State entering the game. Cecilia Zandalasini is listed as questionable with left quad soreness, while Iliana Rupert is listed as not with the team due to pregnancy. Zandalasini started Golden State’s most recent game against Dallas and is averaging 8.1 points per game this season.

Golden State has also been one of the league’s most effective teams from beyond the arc. The Valkyries rank second in total three-pointers with 336 and first in the WNBA in made threes per game at 10.8. They are shooting 35.3 percent from three-point range and are 13-6 when they make at least 10 three-pointers in a game.

For the Valkyries, Sunday’s matchup provides another opportunity to build on their recent momentum. A victory would move Golden State to 23-9 and match the franchise’s win total from its inaugural season.