New York @ Golden State picks

Over the last two and a half weeks, Golden State has played exceptional basketball, winning and covering in five of six games. Those wins haven’t been over nobodies, either. In that six-game span, the Valkyries have dispatched the Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm, and Los Angeles Sparks. Golden State has won in four straight at home and covered in five straight.

A neck worry sidelined Sabrina Ionescu on Sunday, but some of that decision may have been a precaution to be sure she could play in the Bay Area tonight. A native of an Oakland suburb, Ionescu has been profusive this season in her excitement to be able to play in northern California every year the rest of her career. Given she has cleared 20 points in six of 12 games this season, including three of her last four, trust in Ionescu to put on a show in this homecoming.

Losing Jonquel Jones for more than a month to her second sprained ankle of the year exposes the Liberty to opponents crashing the glass. It was already a New York weakness, and without Jones, the Liberty lack any quality rebounder. Kayla Thornton is best positioned among the Valkyries to take advantage of this, already averaging 7.2 rebounds per game this season.