Fresh off a narrow loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Thursday, the Portland Fire travel to Chase Center to face the Golden State Valkyries for the second leg of a back-to-back set.
Injuries have piled up for the Valkyries, and my free WNBA picks & Fire vs. Valkyries prediction call for Kayla Thornton to pick up the slack and cash the Over on her modest point total.
Read on to see why I expect a low-scoring matchup at “Ballhalla” and how Thornton and Veronica Burton will pace their team on offense on Friday, Sept. 18.
TOP PICK
Fire vs Valkyries prediction: Kayla Thornton Over 9.5 points (58%)
Kayla Thornton is averaging 8.8 ppg at home compared to 6.8 on the road. She’s scored 10+ in 18 of 40 games this season.
Thornton has averaged 7.3 with Cecilia Zandalasini this season and 11.4 in five games without her, scoring in double figures four times.
Zandalasini is questionable, while Gabby Williams (14.3 ppg) and Janelle Salaun (12.9 ppg) are sidelined, which leaves massive scoring opportunities available for Thornton.
She finished with 17 in her last game, reaching that mark with Zandalasini, Williams and Salaun out.
Play this to 11.5.
COVERS INTEL: At least two and potentially three of four of the Valkyries’ highest-usage players will be sidelined Friday, which should lead to a jump in usage for Kayla Thornton. Thornton’s Usage Rate has increased nearly two points without Gabby Williams or Cecilia Zandalasini this season.
TOP PICK
Fire vs Valkyries combo
Veronica Burton has averaged 6.5 dimes across her last 10 outings, dishing 7+ six times. The Portland Fire have allowed the most assists per game at 23, and Burton handed out six and nine assists in two matchups with PDX. Key injuries should force the ball into her hand more, making this one playable to 55%.
The Golden State Valkyries own the WNBA’s stingiest defense, ranking first in Defensive Rating and fewest points allowed. Portland’s offense is below average on the road, and the V’s are missing multiple key scorers. Play down to 158.5.
Fire vs Valkyries combo
- Kayla Thornton Over 9.5 points
- Veronica Burton Over 6.5 assists
- Under 160.5
Want more basketball combos? Check out our WNBA parlay picks page!
TOP PICK
Fire vs Valkyries player prop: Veronica Burton Over 3.5 rebounds (57%)
The Fire have given up the fourth-most rebounds to opponents on the road at 35.4, and Burton has been effective on the glass as of late.
She’s averaged 4.1 rebounds across her last 11 games while grabbing 4+ eight times. In that span, Burton has corralled at least four rebounds in four straight home games.
The absence of both Janelle Salaun and Gabby Williams leave 7.2 vacated rebounds for Burton, who should have no problem clearing this line. I’ll play it up to 4.5.
- Top picks: 31-37, -8.53 units
- Combos: 7-61, -24 units
Fire vs Valkyries odds
- Spread: Fire +12.5 | Valkyries -12.5
- Moneyline: Fire 13% | Valkyries 88%
- Over/Under: Over 160.5 | Under 160.5
Fire vs Valkyries trend
Golden State has hit the Under in eight of its last nine games. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Fire vs Valkyries
| Location | Chase Center, San Francisco, CA |
| Date | Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 11 p.m. ET |
| TV | ION |
Fire vs Valkyries latest injuries
Fire: Bridget Carleton (Out), Sania Feagin (Out), Teja Oblak (Out).
Valkyries: Anastasiia Olairi Kosu (Out).
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.
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