It will be a battle between two of the best teams in the WNBA when the New York Liberty visit the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday night. Who will have the upper hand in this matchup?
Both teams are sporting a 12-7 record, good for a tie for third place in the league-wide standings. New York finds itself atop the Eastern Conference, but it has dropped three of its last four games. Golden State, which is tied for third in the West, has won six of its last eight contests – including two in a row.
New York Liberty vs. Golden State Valkyries betting picks and predictions
Golden State Valkyries -1.5 (-120)
Golden State appears to have several advantages in this matchup, starting with playing at home. The Valkyries are 9-3 at the Chase Center so far this season compared to 3-4 on the road. They have lost only once inside their own building in June, and that was to Minnesota (14-4) – the best team in the WNBA.
Moreover, the Valkyries are in especially fine form at the moment. They are coming off back-to-back home victories over Atlanta, which went into those two contests with a 12-5 record.
Golden State’s 6-2 record in its past eight outings includes a win over Dallas (11-7) and it has not lost to anyone other than Minnesota or Las Vegas (13-5) since May 22.
The Valkyries and Liberty have gone head-to-head once so far this year, when Golden State went into New York and rolled 87-70 on May 21. It was total domination right from the start, as the visitors led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter.
Five Golden State players scored in double-figures, led by Gabby Williams with 16 points. The Valkyries did not even shoot the ball well (39 percent), but still cruised to victory thanks in part to forcing 14 turnovers while committing only five.
Under 163.5 (-115)
A modest total of 157 points were scored the last time these two teams tangled. There is no reason to expect anything different in the rematch given the quality of these two defenses.
Golden State leads the WNBA in scoring defense, giving up just 78.4 points per game. New York is not too far behind at 83.9 ppg allowed, the second fewest in the Eastern Conference.
Golden State’s two recent outings against Atlanta were particularly low scoring, producing 143 and 153 points. New York generally plays more high-scoring affairs, but it should be noted that the 2024 WNBA champions just held a high-powered Las Vegas squad – the reigning WNBA champs – to 76 points on Tuesday.
All things considered, the under looks like the play to make.
Sabrina Ionescu Under 16.5 (-130)
Ionescu was sidelined at the start of the regular season due to a foot injury. She returned after five games but has since dealt with a back problem.
Nineteen games into the 2026 campaign, the former Oregon standout has played in only seven with six starts. She is averaging 9.6 ppg while shooting at career-worst percentages across the board – 35.3 percent from the floor, 25.8 percent from three-point range and 84.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Ionescu has not scored more than 16 points in any game this season and she has been held to single-digits in three of the last six contests. Now the 28-year-old has to face one of the best defensive teams in the league, so her struggles will likely continue.
New York Liberty vs. Golden State Valkyries odds
New York Liberty | +105 |
Golden State Valkyries | -138 |
Spread | GS Valkyries -1.5 |
Total Points | O/U 163.5 |
New York Liberty vs. Golden State Valkyries player props
Player Points
Breanna Stewart (NY Liberty) | O/U 17.5 |
Sabrina Ionescu (NY Liberty) | O/U 16.5 |
Jonquel Jones (NY Liberty) | O/U 13.5 |
Gabby Williams (GS Valkyries) | O/U 15.5 |
Veronica Burton (GS Valkyries) | O/U 11.5 |
Janelle Salaun (GS Valkyries) | O/U 10.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
