Overview

• The Valkyries enter play at 10–12, trailing the Las Vegas Aces by half a game for the eighth and final playoff seed.
• All-Star forward Kayla Thornton will miss Friday’s game after being ruled out with a lower leg evaluation, marking her first absence of the season.
• French center Iliana Rupert is available to debut after completing international commitments and is expected to bolster shot-blocking and perimeter spacing.
• Golden State ranks fourth in the WNBA in defensive rating and holds a 3–8 record on the road with just one win outside California.
• The five-game road trip features matchups with Dallas, Connecticut, Atlanta, Washington and Chicago against mostly non–top-four opponents, offering a window to close the gap.