LA Sparks vs Golden State Valkyries Odds, Predictions & Picks on Opening Night

• The LA Sparks meet the Golden State Valkyries in opening night WNBA action
• This game marks the inaugural contest for the brand new Golden State franchise
• Dive into all the LA Sparks vs Golden Valkyries odds, predictions and picks, below

The LA Sparks go to war with the Golden State Valkyries on opening night of the 2025 WNBA season. All of the action gets underway from the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 7:00 pm PT/10:00 pm ET. With the newly acquired Kelsey Plum in tow, the Sparks will desperately aim to improve on last season’s 8-32 record. Encouragingly, the Sparks vs Valkyries odds heavily favor Los Angeles starting the season with a win.

Under the odds table, find my Sparks/Valkyries picks and predictions for Friday’s game.

Sparks vs Valkyries Odds

The Sparks are currently 6.5-point road favorites and -290 on the moneyline. The Valkyries come back as +235 underdogs to win the first game in franchise history. The over/under is sitting at 162.5 with -110 odds both ways.

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LA Sparks Betting Trends

An 8-32 SU season was enough for Los Angeles to pull off a major move, trading the second overall pick for three-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum. Plum’s leadership, championship experience and tenacity will be most welcome on a Sparks team that often looked lost last season.

The Sparks enter the season ninth in the WNBA Championship odds at +6000. Having said that, Cameron Brink’s eventual return to the lineup should buoy the Sparks. The 2024 second-overall pick played only 15 games in her rookie season before tearing her ACL. However, Brink established herself as one of the WNBA’s top rim protectors in that time, ranking second in the league in blocks per game (2.3). With incumbent forward center Azura Stevens already on the roster, she and Brink will form of the league’s most dominant interior duos on both ends of the floor.

Golden State Valkyries Betting Trends

Preseason results don’t mean much, but Golden State lost a nail-biter in the first ever contest, a 83-82 preseason game at Chase Center to the Sparks. Led by head coach Natalie Nakase, the Valkyries enter their first regular season game with a roster that blends youthful exuberance with just enough veteran presence.

Rookies Carla Leite, Janelle Salaun and Kyara Linskens should get plenty of run for the expansion franchise. While WNBA veterans Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings provide a steady scoring presence.

Golden State currently sits dead last in the WNBA Championship odds at +50000, and will be aiming to establish the franchise as a future contender this season, while building a winning culture.

Sparks vs Valkyries Prediction

There’s no shortage of storylines heading into this Sparks vs Valkyries WNBA opener, as a shiny new franchise is set to debut against a revitalized Sparks team with a proven All-Star.

The key question in this contest is whether or not the Valkyries can shut down Kelsey Plum. Plum has become the engine of the Sparks’ offense. The 2022 first-team all-WNBAer is coming off a season averaging 17.8 points and 4.2 assists in Vegas, and she’ll instantly elevate the Sparks backcourt. Expect to see Plum initiate the offense early and often, and work a potentially lethal pick and roll with Azura Stevens.

Covering a near touchdown spread is a tall order, but I’m rushing to the window to bet on the much-improved Sparks in this one. After all, it’s opening night in a sold-out Chase Center. The crowd will be wild, and the young Valkyries nerves will be high. Ultimately, I don’t believe Golden State has enough proven talent, or cohesion, to keep this Sparks vs Valkyries contest close. Bet on Plum to dominate and the LA Sparks to roll.

Sparks vs Valkyries Prediction: LA Sparks -6.5 (-110)