Sparks vs Valkyries Picks and Prediction – 5/17/2025

On Friday, the Los Angeles Sparks visit the expansion Golden State Valkyries in the opening game of the 2025 WNBA regular season for both teams. Los Angeles hired Lynne Roberts, who has 27 years of experience in coaching women's college basketball. Roberts uses a perimeter offense to stretch defenses. Kelsey Plum, who was traded by Las Vegas to Los Angeles during the offseason, will be a key part of the Sparks’ perimeter offense. Keep up to date with the WNBA with our expert WNBA picks.

Last season, Plum shot 36.8% from 3-point territory and was an All-Star in each of the last three seasons. Rickea Jackson is back after a First-Team All-Rookie season a year ago. Cameron Brink will return for LA after missing 25 games last season with a torn ACL. Dearica Hamby surprised many with her play last season and gives the Sparks a strong scorer and rebounder. 

The Golden State Valkyries are the first expansion team to join the WNBA since the Atlanta Dream in 2008. Natalie Nakase is the head coach for Golden State. During training camp, Golden State had players from 10 different countries. Julie Vanloo is the only player on the roster who was a full-time starter last season, when starting 34 games as a rookie for the Washington Mystics.

Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton provide Golden State with much-needed experience, but a roster lacking in star power will make it difficult for the Valkyries to compete consistently this season. Monique Billings and Veronica Burton will help the Valkyries both in the backcourt and frontcourt. Consistency will be Golden State's biggest problem. In a preseason matchup against the Sparks, the Valkyries were 0-13 in their first 13 attempts from 3-point territory.

Los Angeles beat Golden State during the preseason by just one point, but this is the regular season, and the Sparks will use their regulars from start to finish, resulting in a double-digit victory by Los Angeles. Dating back to last season, Los Angeles has covered the number in four of the last five played on the road. Golden State has very little WNBA experience on the roster and will have a hard time playing consistently in its inaugural season. Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Sparks win and cover ATS 85-71.