“I looked around, and I was like, wow, there’s a lot of Asian Americans here,” a Japanese-American herself, Natalie Nakase was in awe of the immense love and support she and her team have been receiving from fans worldwide as nearly 18,064 fans, including Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr, turned up the support of the Valkyries. Despite a season opener 84-67 loss against the Los Angeles Sparks, Nakase was only focusing on the positives. 

“We started off small. And then we decided to go double big, just to give it a different look,” Nakase pointed out after the loss. “Mixed in some zone. Actually, they didn’t practice zone that much, so that was the positive we took away that we barely worked on zone, and that was our best defense.” With a humble beginning against the Sparks, the Valkyries supposedly tested the waters with less to no work on the zone, before diving headstrong into upcoming matches. Then they proceeded to Crypto.com Arena on May 23, 2025, and avenged the defeat with a 75-72 win against the Sparks.  

As a fairly new expansion team on the block, the Golden State Valkyries have been delivering thundering performances with back-to-back two wins in their season debut. Under the guidance of head coach Natalie Nakase, the Valkyries are an unstoppable force that has finally found its footing amid the established teams in the league. Boasting a strong international roster, the Valkyries have a mix of strong, high-IQ players who carry proficient strategies, athleticism, and playmaking skills under their belt.

With a fairly young roster with international flair, it will be exciting to watch the purple-clad players face a veteran and more mature roster in New York Liberty on Tuesday. While Sandy Brondello‘s team has been on a 3-0 streak so far, the roster managed a close victory against Indiana Fever. So, what will be the fate of Liberty as Valkyries land at the Barclays Centre, Brooklyn, in the wake of recent injuries?

Injury Report: New York vs Golden State

Unfortunately, Cecilia Zandalasini will not be playing for the Valkyries on Tuesday, According to ESPN‘s official website, Zandalasini is declared ‘Out’ from the upcoming game against the Liberty, owing to a foot injury that kept her sidelined for the past three games this season. Announcing the forward’s injury status, the website stated, “Zandalasini (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday’s game against the Liberty, Nathan Canilao of the Bay Area News Group reports.”

Inducted in December 2024, Zandalasini is one of the key contributors to the roster. The resilient Italian player was formerly a part of Minnesota Lynx where she had to sit out during the 2019 campaign, thanks to impending international duties and tending to an ankle injury. Moreover, ESPN has listed forward player Monique Billings and guard Tiffany Hayes’ status as GTD. While Billings suffered a right foot injury, Hayes has an ongoing nose injury. Their return is still questionable, but the Valkyries will suffer a major blow if Hayes does not return today.

Tiffany suffered a nose injury during a gruelling match where they secured a 76-74 win over the Washington Mystics. Shakira Austin‘s arm landed on Hayes’s face, leading the latter to collapse on the floor during the second quarter against the Mystics. “I think we’re just going to wait to see how she feels but I walked in the locker room and she was the first one to open her arms and give me a big hug,” Nakase was proud of the way Hayes handled the nose injury. And though ESPN and Nathan Canilao list the guard’s absence as questionable, Julie Vanloo is expected to step up and take her place instead. 

Meanwhile, the Liberty too has an injury report lined up. While the roster boasts of healthy players, center Nyara Sabally‘s health is questionable and she is placed under day-to-day or GTD status as of now. Though expected to return on May 27, 2025, ESPN states, “Sabally (knee) is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Valkyries, Alford Corriette of Her Hoop Stats reports.” But this is not something new for the German player. Known for her instant comeback from injuries, the Liberty roaster is hopeful of her quick return. 

Starting 5 Predictions: NY Liberty vs GS Valkyries

Here is the starting five lineup prediction for New York Liberty and Golden State Valkyries:

New York Liberty

• Jonquel Jones
• Leonie Fiebich
• Breanna Stewart
• Sabrina Ionescu
• Natasha Cloud

Golden State Valkyries

• Temi Fagbenle
• Kayla Thornton
• Janelle Salaun
• Julie Vanloo
• Veronica Burton

Match Predictions: NY Liberty vs GS Valkyries

Expect explosive fireworks as the Valkyries steps on the Brooklyn arena against the undefeated NY Liberty. Burton emerged as a key player for the Valkyries through her major contribution against the Mystics on May 21, 2025. As Burton averaged 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists to seal the 76-74 victory, Leite single-handedly led the Valkyries to win their second match against the Sparks with an average of 19 points and 3 assists.

Meanwhile, Liberty was led by Jonquel Jones, who secured points against the Fever in a very close victory. Jones managed 26 points and a whopping 12 points for the team. On the other hand, Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud also emerged as key contributors as they overpowered Fever’s roster with a total of 23 points by Ionescu and 6 assists from Cloud.

While NY Liberty’s playmaking goes beyond Golden State’s 14.3 assists with a team average of 23.7, the Valkyries have an edge over the Liberty with fantastic steals. Despite Cloud’s efforts, the Liberty stands with 8.7 steals so far whereas the GS boasts of a whopping average of 10.3 steals.

Having said that, the Valkyries have been delivering electrifying performances so far, thanks to key players like Veronica Burton, Temi Fagbenle, Carla Leite, and Kayla Thornton. And as two gritty teams with almost equal strengths and stats lock horns in Barclay’s arena today, the Valkyries have a determined HC and a power-packed team that has ample efficiency to throw Brondello’s roster into their first defeat today. But with a home-ground advantage, can the Liberty withstand the Valkyries and HC Nakase?