The Seattle Storm will set its sights on the future on Friday night, showcasing rookie Flau’jae Johnson and second-year center Dominique Malonga with its new-look lineup when the team hosts the Golden State Valkyries at Climate Pledge Arena.
With over 90% of last year’s offensive firepower gone, my Valkyries vs. Storm predictions call for Johnson to step up in her WNBA debut and cruise to the Over on her modest scoring total.
Read more in my WNBA picks for Friday, May 8.
Valkryies vs Storm prediction
Valkryies vs Storm best bet: Flau’jae Johnson Over 11.5 points (-130 at bet365)
The Seattle Storm are missing most of last season’s scoring core, opening the door for rookie Flau’jae Johnson to take on a major offensive role right away. Seattle’s top scorers from a year ago are gone, Awa Fam is still overseas, and Ezi Magbegor is dealing with injuries.
Johnson already looks ready for the spotlight. The former LSU star scored 12 points against Golden State in her preseason debut and followed it with 20 against Portland while shooting well from deep.
There’s also a little revenge angle here after the Golden State Valkyries drafted and traded her on draft night. With Seattle desperate for scoring, 12 points is a very reachable number.
COVERS INTEL: Flau’jae Johnson averaged 16.4 points across her final two collegiate seasons, shooting 46.7% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc.
Valkryies vs Storm same-game parlay
Flau’jae Johnson Over 11.5 points
Dominique Malonga to Record a Double-Double
Under 156
Dominique Malonga logged fewer than 15 minutes per game last season as a rookie, but she made an impact when given additional run. In five games with at least 25 minutes, she averaged 18.6 points and 9.6 boards.
The Valkyries ranked 10th in offensive rating, 10th in points per game, and last in pace in 2025. The team finished above .500 due to a stellar, third-ranked defensive rating, but scoring was not a strong suit.
The Storm ranked eighth in offensive rating and points scored, and with so many of the team’s leading scorers gone, the offense will likely struggle, at least in the short term. I’ll take the Under here between offensively-challenged opponents in what could be a slow-paced affair.
Valkryies vs Storm SGP
- Flau’jae Johnson Over 11.5 points
- Dominique Malonga to Record a Double-Double
- Under 156
Valkryies vs Storm first basket scorer: Dominique Malonga (+425)
At 6’6, Malonga will have a height advantage over Janelle Salaun and Kiah Stokes, and she should win the opening tip. Johnson should be a focal point of the offense, but Malonga will get her share of looks as well.
Malonga’s size and established role in Seattle after a strong finish to her rookie campaign give her an edge to be the first look on Seattle’s opening possession of the 2026 season.
Her first-basket odds are the shortest of any player in this game, and I’ll eat the chalk in the season-opener tonight.
- Best bet: 0-X0 +0.00 units
- SGP: 0-0, +0.00 units
- First basket: 0-0, +0.00 units
Valkryies vs Storm odds
- Spread: Valkryies -5.5 | Storm +5.5
- Moneyline: Valkryies -230 | Storm +190
- Over/Under: Over 156 | Under 156
Valkryies vs Storm trend
The Valkyries and Storm hit the Game Total Under in all four head-to-head matchups last season. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Valkryies vs Storm
| Location | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA |
| Date | Friday, May 8, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ION |
Valkryies vs Storm latest injuries
Valkryies: Illiana Rupert (out), Juste Jocyte (Out)
Storm: Awa Fam (out), Katie Lou Samuelson (Out), Ezi Magbegor (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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