The Sparks and the Valkyries: Opposite Paths in the WNBA
The Californian WNBA teams, the Los Angeles Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries, seem to be on different paths in the league. While the Sparks are showing a winning streak, the Valkyries are facing difficulties.
With an 11-14 record, the Sparks lead the league with the longest winning streak, adding five consecutive games. This performance has allowed them to move up in the weekly rankings.
On the other hand, the Valkyries, with an 11-13 record, have suffered six losses in the last eight games this month.
While the Sparks regain a key player after an injury, the Valkyries lament the loss of one of their stars.
Sparks forward Cameron Brink, the second pick of the 2024 draft, is set to return to action against the Aces. Brink, who suffered an ACL injury in June 2024, averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks before the injury.
The expected return of Brink coincides with the Sparks’ good form. Players like Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens, and Rickea Jackson are averaging double figures in scoring, while Julie Allemand has established herself as the starting point guard, standing out with two games of 10 assists in recent weeks.
In contrast, the Valkyries have lost their top scorer and rebounder, Kayla Thornton, for the rest of the season due to knee surgery. Thornton was the franchise’s first All-Star.
There’s a positive note for Golden State: French center Iliana Rupert joined the team last week after missing the first half of the season due to overseas commitments.
The league’s landscape has shown abrupt changes in performance. For now, the Sparks seem more headed to the playoffs than the Valkyries, a different situation than a month ago.
WNBA Standings
Here’s the WNBA standings, highlighting the teams and their upcoming matches.
Minnesota Lynx (22-5) Previous: 1 Upcoming games: vs. NY (July 30), @ LV (August 2)
New York Liberty (17-8) Previous: 2 Upcoming games: @ MIN (July 30), @ CON (August 1), @ CON (August 3)
Atlanta Dream (15-10) Previous: 7 Upcoming games: vs. GS (July 29), @ DAL (July 30), vs. PHO (August 1), vs. WAS (August 3)
Phoenix Mercury (16-9) Previous: 3 Upcoming games: @ IND (July 30), @ ATL (August 1), @ CHI (August 3)
Indiana Fever (14-12) Previous: 4 Upcoming games: vs. PHO (July 30), @ DAL (August 1), @ SEA (August 3)
Seattle Storm (16-11) Previous: 5 Upcoming games: vs. LA (August 1), vs. IND (August 3)
Los Angeles Sparks (11-14) Previous: 10 Upcoming games: vs. LV (July 29), @ SEA (August 1)
Las Vegas Aces (13-13) Previous: 8 Upcoming games: @ LA (July 29), vs. MIN (August 2), vs. GS (August 3)
Washington Mystics (12-13) Previous: 6 Upcoming games: vs CHI (July 29), vs. GS (July 31), @ ATL (August 3)
Golden State Valkyries (11-13) Previous: 9 Upcoming games: @ ATL (July 29), @ WAS (July 31), @ CHI (August 1), @ LV (August 3)
Dallas Wings (8-19) Previous: 12 Upcoming games: vs. ATL (July 30), vs. IND (August 1)
Chicago Sky (7-18) Previous: 11 Upcoming games: @ WAS (July 29), vs. GS (August 1), vs. PHO (August 3)
Connecticut Sun (4-21) Previous: 13 Upcoming games: vs. NY (August 1), vs. NY (August 3)
The competition in the WNBA continues, with each team fighting to secure their place in the postseason.Rickea Jackson (left) is one of four Sparks players averaging double-digit scoring, with Cameron Brink (right) set to return with more offensive power.
