Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces: Injury Report, Starting-5, Prediction and More on Tonight’s WNBA Preview

It’s Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces, once again. There’s something almost poetic about this fourth and final regular-season clash between the two. Vegas is currently leading the series 2-1, and while Golden State hosts this time, the memory of their 101-77 demolition on August 4 must surely sting. That night saw Jewell Loyd erupt for 27 points as the Aces flashed their championship pedigree. So has something changed since then (except for the standings)? Let’s break it down for you…

When and where to watch Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces…

• Date: Tuesday, 6th August
• Time: 10:00 PM ET (Eastern Time)
• Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
• Streaming services: WNBA League Pass, FUBO, YouTube TV
• Cable services: CBS Sports Network, WTHR Channel 13, Spectrum SportsNet

Injury Report

Golden State Valkyries:

• Tiffany Hayes (G)
  Injury: Leg
  Status: Questionable for Wednesday’s game vs. Aces

• Cecilia Zandalasini (F)
  Injury: Foot
  Status: Questionable for Wednesday’s game vs. Aces

• Kayla Thornton (F)
  Injury: Right Knee (Post-surgery)
  Status: Out for the remainder of the season

Las Vegas Aces:

• Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (F)
  Injury: Not injury related
  Status: Hopes to return for WNBA Playoffs

Predicted Starting Lineup

Expect the same players to suit up as the last time Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces took place.

Golden State Valkyries:

• NaLyssa Smith (#3)
  MIN: 16 | PTS: 4 | REBS: 5 | AST: 1 | STL: 0 | BLK: 0
• Kierstan Bell (#1)
  MIN: 15 | PTS: 2 | REBS: 3 | AST: 1 | STL: 0 | BLK: 0
• A’ja Wilson (#22)
  MIN: 29 | PTS: 14 | REBS: 14 | AST: 2 | STL: 1 | BLK: 4
• Chelsea Gray (#12)
  MIN: 30 | PTS: 11 | REBS: 5 | AST: 6 | STL: 0 | BLK: 0
• Jackie Young (#0)
  MIN: 30 | PTS: 20 | REBS: 5 | AST: 8 | STL: 0 | BLK: 0

Las Vegas Aces:

• Janelle Salaun (#13)
  MIN: 16 | PTS: 6 | REBS: 3 | AST: 3 | STL: 1 | BLK: 0
• Temi Fagbenle (#14)
  MIN: 18 | PTS: 0 | REBS: 6 | AST: 2 | STL: 2 | BLK: 0
• Iliana Rupert (#12)
  MIN: 23 | PTS: 17 | REBS: 8 | AST: 1 | STL: 1 | BLK: 2
• Veronica Burton (#22)
  MIN: 23 | PTS: 8 | REBS: 1 | AST: 3 | STL: 0 | BLK: 0
• Carla Leite (#0)
  MIN: 33 | PTS: 14 | REBS: 2 | AST: 3 | STL: 1 | BLK: 1

How the Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces Might Go Down…

Golden State will arrive at 14-14. They are barely clinging to .500 with fragile playoff aspirations. The absence of Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings hurt. Especially because Thornton is their do-it-all force (14 PPG, 7.0 RPG), and her defensive presence was sorely missed last meeting. Without her, A’ja Wilson (21.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG) could feast again like she did in Game 3.

Combine that with Chelsea Gray’s steady playmaking (4.6 APG) and Jackie Young’s scorching 50% shooting over the last 10 games, and you’ve got a Vegas squad hitting their stride at the perfect moment. The Valkyries’ hopes hinge on their guards. Veronica Burton has been reliable (5.2 APG), but their offense is struggling mightily. They are averaging just 76.2 PPG on 38.7% shooting over their last 10. Those numbers won’t fly against Vegas’ swarming defense and size advantage.

Yes, the Aces have been inconsistent (15-14 overall), but their offense is heating up (85.1 PPG last 10). And while their defense remains shaky (86.1 PPG allowed), Golden State hasn’t shown it can exploit it. When you weigh the momentum, head-to-head results, and injury reports, the conclusion becomes clear. To top that off, even ESPN gives Vegas a 61% chance.