Golden State Valkyries vs New York Liberty Picks and Prediction for Thursday, August 27, 2026
The Golden State Valkyries visit the New York Liberty on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, with Golden State completing a back-to-back after facing the Connecticut Sun on the road Wednesday night. Golden State enters at 25-11 and sits second overall in the WNBA standings, putting the Valkyries firmly in a playoff position. New York is 22-15 and fifth overall, also currently holding a playoff spot with the top eight teams qualifying for the postseason. Both teams are fighting for stronger playoff seeding late in the season. Make your next wager count with our free WNBA picks.
Golden State Valkyries Look to Rely on Defense
Golden State has built its success around the league’s strongest defensive numbers. The Valkyries allow only 76.6 points per game while scoring 82.5, giving them a +5.9 scoring margin. Golden State shoots 42.1% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range while averaging 35.0 rebounds. Gabby Williams leads the Valkyries with 14.4 points per game and also averages 1.6 steals, giving Golden State an important contributor on both ends of the court.
The Valkyries have several other players capable of contributing without needing one scorer to dominate the offense. Janelle Salaun averages 13.1 points, while Veronica Burton produces 12.4 points and a team-high 5.5 assists. Golden State’s defense remains its biggest strength, consistently limiting opponents and keeping games manageable when the offense is not producing at a high rate. The Valkyries have also performed well away from home, another reason Golden State has remained near the top of the overall WNBA standings.
Injuries: Iliana Rupert (Out).
New York Liberty Look to Improve Playoff Seeding
New York enters Thursday at 23-15 and sixth overall in the WNBA standings, with the Liberty already having clinched a playoff berth. New York has won three of its last four games, most recently beating Indiana 109-102 after a 93-86 loss to Chicago. The Liberty are averaging 90.7 points per game, shooting 46.6% from the field and 35.2% from 3-point range. New York also averages 35.1 rebounds and 21.1 assists while allowing 87.6 points per game. The Liberty have been especially strong at Barclays Center, posting a 13-5 home record.
Breanna Stewart leads New York with 20.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, shooting 46.8% from the field. Sabrina Ionescu adds 15.9 points, 4.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds, while Jonquel Jones contributes 14.6 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds. Jones is shooting 49.7% overall and 38.5% from beyond the arc. New York will need that scoring depth against Golden State, which leads the WNBA by allowing only 76.3 points per game and has held the Liberty to 70 and 67 points in two victories this season.
Injuries: Satou Sabally (Out)
Key Player Matchup
Gabby Williams vs Breanna Stewart
Williams leads Golden State with 14.4 points per game and adds 1.6 steals, making her a key part of the Valkyries on both ends. Stewart gives New York a versatile scoring option who can work inside, attack from midrange and contribute on the boards. Williams’ defensive activity will be important against a Liberty offense with several scoring threats, while Stewart’s size creates a difficult matchup for Golden State. Their production could play a major role in deciding which team controls Thursday’s game.
Golden State Valkyries vs New York Liberty Game Pick
- New York Liberty -1.5
New York gets the selection in a matchup between two teams positioned inside the WNBA’s top eight. Golden State owns the stronger defensive profile, allowing only 76.6 points per game, but New York has multiple scoring options capable of challenging that defense. Stewart and Ionescu give the Liberty different ways to create quality shots, while New York gets this matchup at home. Golden State should keep the score competitive with its defense, but the Liberty’s scoring options provide enough of an advantage for New York to get the win Thursday.
Golden State Valkyries vs New York Liberty Over/Under Pick
- Under 161.6
Defense provides the strongest reason to expect a lower-scoring matchup between Golden State and New York. The Valkyries surrender only 76.6 points per game and have consistently prevented opponents from producing big offensive totals. Golden State also scores 82.5 points per game, keeping its typical combined scoring range manageable. New York has dangerous offensive options with Stewart and Ionescu, but the Liberty will be challenged by the WNBA’s strongest scoring defense. Golden State’s ability to limit quality looks makes the under the play Thursday.