Game Preview: Valkyries at Los Angeles Sparks - 9/24/26
WNBA Golden State Valkyries

Game Preview: Valkyries at Los Angeles Sparks - 9/24/26

Published on September 23, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Golden State Valkyries News Release


The Golden State Valkyries enter Thursday's regular-season final against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena needing a win to secure the second seed in the 2026 WNBA playoffs. The Valkyries are 2-0 against the Sparks this season, beating them by 20 points on June 15 and by six points on Aug. 9. The Sparks have already been eliminated from postseason contention, but their 11-time All-Star, Nneka Ogwumike, will play her final WNBA game as she announced that she will retire at the end of this season.

Valkyries at Sparks

Thursday, Sept. 24 | Tipoff: 7 p.m.

WATCH: KPIX+ (Bay Area), KMAX (Sacramento)

LISTEN: 95.7 The Game, ESPN 1320, The Audacy App

LAST TIME OUT

The Valkyries scored the game's first 17 points but were unable to hold on, falling to the Portland Fire in overtime 90-82 at Moda Center on Tuesday. Former Valkyries guard Carla Leite had the dagger 3-point play in overtime as Golden State was outscored 13-5 in the bonus period. The Valkyries had their five-game winning streak snapped and lost out on a chance at the first seed in the 2026 WNBA playoffs. They will be either the second or third seed depending on the results of Thursday's regular season finale. » Full Game Recap

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

IF the Valkyries BEAT the Sparks, they are the 2ND SEED and will play EITHER the Washington Mystics, New York Liberty OR the Dallas Wings.

IF the Valkyries LOSE to the Sparks, they are the 2ND SEED IF the Las Vegas Aces ALSO LOSE to the Phoenix Mercury and will play EITHER the Washington Mystics, New York Liberty, OR the Dallas Wings.

IF the VALKYRIES LOSE to the Sparks, they are the 3RD SEED IF the Las Vegas Aces BEAT the Phoenix Mercury and will play EITHER the Indiana Fever, Washington Mystics, OR the New York Liberty.

COMPELLING NOTE:

VALKYRIES: Veronica Burton ranks sixth in the league in total assists (247) and has the league's best assist-to-turnover ratio among qualifiers, dishing out 3.92 assists for every turnover.

SPARKS: Nneka Ogwumike has been remarkably productive in her final WNBA season as she joins A'ja Wilson as the only players in the league averaging at least 17 points, eight rebounds, and shooting over 39 percent from three.

Check out the Golden State Valkyries Statistics

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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 23, 2026


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