The Indiana Fever were back in the headlines for nonsensical reasons after Caitlin Clark took a bump from Marina Mabrey. Fever guard Sophie Cunningham made sure to issue some retribution to Connecticut.
What should garner more attention is the unexpected quality of the Golden State Valkyries. By no means is the expansion team a possible contender, but it very well could make the playoffs.
My Fever vs. Valkyries predictions do not expect Golden State’s unexpected quality to be enough tonight. More notably, an underappreciated part of Indiana will drive these WNBA picks at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 19.
Fever vs Valkyries predictions
My Fever vs Valkyries best bet: Under 164.5 (-108 at DraftKings)
So much praise is heaped on Caitlin Clark’s offense and playmaking, the Indiana Fever’s defense is overlooked. Now, to be clear, every defense is better when its corresponding offense makes baskets. It is simply easier to set your defense when your opponent has to take the ball out of the net.
So, Clark’s offense and playmaking directly aid Indiana’s defense. Averaging 21.3 points and 8.7 assists are certainly not defensive stats, and this conversation would go even further if Clark was shooting better than 44.7%, but that production helps the Fever defense.
That defense ranks No. 3 in rating this season, closer to the Lynx at No. 2 than to No. 4.
This was not expected. No team with Clark leading the way is viewed as a defensive stronghold, but that fails to realize how Clark’s offense can help the defense and how a roster can be built with more defensive pieces when someone like Clark sparks the offense almost entirely on her own.
Meanwhile, defense is also the Golden State Valkyries' strength, ranking No. 7 in rating compared to an ugly No. 11 offensively.
With the Fever coming off Tuesday’s foolishness and now traveling halfway across the country, some fatigue may add up. The Valkyries had no such nonsense, but they also had to fly back home from Dallas.
Slowing down this game would not be a surprise, and it would only further emphasize the defenses, the stronger half of each team.
Caitlin Clark pick: Pass first, ask questions later
My best bet
Caitlin Clark Under 21.5 points (-130 at DraftKings)
My analysis
The worst defense in the WNBA held Clark to 20 points on Tuesday, and that is not even saying the truth loudly enough. The Sun defense is the worst by 4.5 points per 100 possessions and nearly 14 points worse than the Valkyries’ defense per 100 possessions.
If there was ever a defense for Clark to gash, it was Connecticut’s. Her 20 points were part of a quality performance highlighted by going 4 of 6 from deep, but it is still worth noting.
If anything, Clark should lean into her playmaking tonight. Sophie Cunningham’s aggressiveness Tuesday probably earned her a few more shots against Golden State, and Clark can add to her assists tally by finding Cunningham.
Fever vs Valkyries same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 164.5
Caitlin Clark Under 21.5 points
Aliyah Boston Over 12.5 points
If Clark is making plays tonight, Aliyah Boston should benefit.
As good as Golden State has looked as an expansion team, it lacks an interior defender to match up with Boston. She has fallen short of this prop in five straight games, but cleared it in four of her first six to start the season.
This is a great chance to get Boston back on track.
Fever vs Valkyries odds
Fever vs Valkyries live odds
Fever vs Valkyries opening odds
- Spread: Indiana -11 (-110) | Golden State -11 (-110)
- Moneyline: Indiana -641 | Golden State +450
- Over/Under: Over 162.5 (-110) | Under 162.5 (-110)
Fever vs Valkyries trend
Both the Fever and the Valkyries have cashed seven Unders in 11 games this season. Find more WNBA betting trends for Fever vs. Valkyries.
How to watch Fever vs Valkyries
| Location | Chase Center, San Francisco, CA |
| Date | Thursday, 6-19-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Fever vs Valkyries latest injuries
Fever: DeWanna Bonner F (Out).
Valkyries: No injuries to report.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
