The Valkyries will enter tonight’s matchup already holding the high ground in the season series. They are up 1-0 vs. the Mystics after a nail-biter back in May that ended 76–74. Right now, the Valkyries would love nothing more than to leapfrog their way into postseason territory by stealing the Mystics’ spot. However, they’ll have to do it without Monique Billings. She won’t suit up tonight due to injury, but you better believe her name will be in the building, if not on the box score.

So the question is simple: will the Valkyries show out for their sidelined teammate and steal a win (and maybe a seed) from her former squad? Or will the Mystics, riding Sonia Citron’s recent scoring surge, tighten their grip on that playoff spot and even the season score? Let’s break it down…

Where to Watch the Washington Mystics vs Golden State Valkyries?

• Date: Wednesday, 31st July
• Time: 7:30 PM ET (Eastern Time)
• Venue: CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.

For the folks wishing to opt for streaming services, you can watch it using the WNBA League Pass, Amazon Prime US, Fubo, SlingTV, and YouTube TV. For those of you willing to use cable services, you can choose ION, MNMT, or NBA TV, with Pat Boylan (play-by-play) and Debbie Antonelli (analysis).

Injury Report

Washington Mystics:

Golden State Valkyries:

Predicted Starting Lineup

Washington Mystics:

• Shakira Austin (#0)
  MIN: 22.2 | PTS: 12.7 | REB: 6.8 | AST: 1.8 | STL: 1.0 | BLK: 1.1
• Kiki Iriafen (#44)
  MIN: 26.7 | PTS: 11.9 | REB: 8.5 | AST: 1.4 | STL: 0.7 | BLK: 0.1
• Brittney Sykes (#20)
  MIN: 31.3 | PTS: 16.1 | REB: 3.4 | AST: 4.5 | STL: 1.2 | BLK: 0.3
• Sug Sutton (#1)
  MIN: 25.2 | PTS: 7.5 | REB: 1.6 | AST: 3.1 | STL: 0.6 | BLK: 0.1
• Sonia Citron (#22)
  MIN: 32.8 | PTS: 14.2 | REB: 4.9 | AST: 2.2 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.4

Golden State Valkyries:

• Iliana Rupert (#12)
  MIN: 17.7 | PTS: 7.3 | REB: 4.3 | AST: 1.7 | STL: 0.7 | BLK: 0.3
• Janelle Salaun (#13)
  MIN: 23.6 | PTS: 9.8 | REB: 4.6 | AST: 1.1 | STL: 0.5 | BLK: 0.1
• Temi Fagbenle (#14)
  MIN: 24.2 | PTS: 8.1 | REB: 5.4 | AST: 1.8 | STL: 1.1 | BLK: 0.7
• Tiffany Hayes (#15)
  MIN: 27.1 | PTS: 12.7 | REB: 3.6 | AST: 2.9 | STL: 0.5 | BLK: 0.2
• Veronica Burton (#22)
  MIN: 28.6 | PTS: 10.7 | REB: 5.0 | AST: 5.0 | STL: 1.0 | BLK: 0.4

How the Washington Mystics vs Golden State Valkyries Might Go Down…

The Washington Mystics might look like a .500 team statistically. However, they are heading into Thursday’s game with some serious momentum, home-court advantage, and a rising star in Sonia Citron. After dropping 28 points against Chicago, Citron has helped fuel a hot streak where the Mystics have won five of their last six games. Now, they are up against a Golden State Valkyries squad that’s been struggling with injuries and uneven performances.

Golden State’s recent win over Atlanta came at a heavy price. Monique Billings is out, Kayla Thornton’s season was already done, and now, Cecilia Zandalasini’s status is up in the air. That’s three critical rotation players (two of them starters) either injured or playing hurt. Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes will have to step up as playmakers, but without Thornton and Billings holding down the paint. Moreover, Golden State’s rebounding advantage could disappear against Washington’s Kiki Iriafen (a beast on the boards) and Shakira Austin’s physical presence.

This matchup might not be pretty, but it’ll be a battle, and right now, the Mystics know how to win those. ESPN’s analytics give them a 57.2% edge for good reason. Unless the Valkyries get an unexpected boost from their bench or Burton goes off with a near-flawless game, Washington’s defense and depth should wear Golden State down in the end.