The Los Angeles Sparks are trying to shake the stink of last season’s disaster of a campaign. They’ll be facing off with another team hoping for a good start – the Golden State Valkyries – who play their first ever WNBA game.
The books have tabbed the Sparks as 6.5-point road favorites in the WNBA odds.
Our Sparks vs. Valkyries predictions believes L.A. spoils their in-state opponents’ party. Let's get into our WNBA picks for Friday, May 16.
Sparks vs Valkyries predictions
My Sparks vs Valkyries best bet: Sparks -6.5 (-112 at FanDuel)
After finishing with the worst record in the league a year ago, things can only get better for the Los Angeles Sparks. They made a few key moves to try to strengthen a roster that was powered by the frontcourt.
Dearica Hamby led the team in scoring with 17.3 points per game to go along with 9.2 rebounds, while Rickea Jackson chipped in with 13.4 points and 3.9 boards. The biggest addition was a three-team trade that netted them guard Kelsey Plum, who averaged 17.8 points as a key cog to the Las Vegas Aces last season.
They’ll also be guided by Lynne Roberts, the longtime Utah Utes coach making her WNBA coaching debut.
L.A. still isn’t whole though: Cameron Brink, the second overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, is recovering from a knee injury that ended her rookie campaign just 15 games in.
The Golden State Valkyries will likely struggle like most expansion franchises do, but there’s a chance their roster building can make them a respectable foe in its inaugural season.
Expansion draft additions include Kayla Thornton, who won a ‘chip with the New York Liberty last year, while Tiffany Haynes adds a veteran presence entering her 13th season as the reigning Sixth Woman of the Year.
Second-year guard Julie Vanloo is a sneaky-good pickup from the Washington Mystics.
Those three are among the vets that will help bridge the gap as they bring along 2025 top draft pick Juste Jocyte. The 19-year-old guard doesn’t look ready for prime time just yet. Perhaps the juice of opening night and new team can help Golden State, but L.A. should be able to handle Golden State’s inaugural voyage.
It’s going to be the first time we see what Golden State is working with, and even if they’re up against a team that just went 8-32 a season ago, L.A. has legit star talent in Hamby and should roll.
Sparks vs Valkyries same-game parlay (SGP)
Sparks -6.5
Dearica Hamby Over 14.5 points
Julie Vanloo Over 1.5 three-point makes
Let’s build out our SGP starting with the most dominant player in this game. Hamby is coming off her best season as a pro, setting career highs in scoring, rebounding and assists.
She’s got a make-able 14.5 scoring line against the Valkyries, who are thin up front, with Temi Fagbenle the only center on the roster with experience, backed up by rookie Kyara Linskens.
Fagbenle played for the Indiana Fever a season ago, and Hamby topped her scoring line in both games vs Indy last year.
We’ll wrap with Vanloo’s 1.5 3-point make line. She ranked 16th in the W averaging 1.8 makes per game, and inside the Top 30 at a 32.4% clip.
Most importantly, Vanloo topped this line twice in three games vs the Sparks last season, shooting a solid 9-for-20 over those games, a crisp 45% clip.
Sparks vs Valkyries odds
Sparks vs Valkyries live odds
Sparks vs Valkyries opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles -7.0 (-110) | Golden State +7 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -310 | Golden State -134
- Over/Under: Over 162.5 (-108) | Under 160.5 (-112)
Sparks vs Valkyries trend
Los Angeles won just two of its final 15 games last season. Find more WNBA betting trends for Sparks vs Valkyries. Find more WNBA betting trends for Sparks vs. Valkyries.
How to watch Sparks vs Valkyries
| Location | Chase Center, San Francisco, CA |
| Date | Friday, 5-16-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ION |
Sparks vs Valkyries latest injuries
Sparks: Cameron Brink (knee) ruled out.
Valkyries: No injuries to report.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
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