The Golden State Valkyries will visit the Los Angeles Sparks for a California duel at Crypto.com arena on Sunday. The Sparks traded their leading scorer, five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum, to the Phoenix Mercury at the deadline, acquiring a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and guard Monique Akoa Makani. Akoa Makani is in her second WNBA season and averaging nine points per game. 

Valkyries vs. Sparks
Sunday, Aug. 9 | Tipoff: 4 p.m.
WATCH: ESPN
LISTEN: 95.7 The Game, ESPN 1320, The Audacy App

LAST TIME OUT
Veronica Burton (22) and Gabby Williams (19) combined for 41 points, leading the Valkyries to a 94-76 victory over the Dallas Wings at American Airlines Center on Friday. Burton also dished out a game-high seven assists with zero turnovers, setting the tone for a Valkyries team that had 19 more assists than their opponent (27-8) and simultaneously committed six fewer turnovers (13-6). The Valkyries’ 27 assists set a new franchise record and seven different players had multiple assists. Golden State has won three straight games and nine of their last 11, keeping pace with the Las Vegas Aces for the second-best record in the league. They now need just five wins to clinch a spot in the WNBA playoffs. » Full Game Recap 

Audio postgame recap, courtesy of Valkyries’ Post-Up Show streams live on 95.7 The Game and the Audacy App. » Full Episode

COMPELLING NOTE:
VALKYRIES: The Valkyries are one win away from matching their win total from their historic inaugural season. Golden State won 23 games last season and has the opportunity to secure win 23 of this season with 12 more games remaining. 

SPARKS: The Sparks ended the longest winning streak in the WNBA this season with an 89-82 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday. The Sparks had three players score at least 16 points, with guard Rae Burrell edging out Nneka Ogwumike and Deacrica Hamby with a team-high 17 points.