SAN FRANCISCO — When the Golden State Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks take the floor on Friday night, the seeds of an in-state rivalry will be planted.
Friday’s season opener will mark the first time two WNBA teams from the same state will coexist since the 2017 season when the San Antonio Stars and the Dallas Wings called Texas home before the Stars relocated to Las Vegas a year later.
Both teams are looking forward to the watershed moment.
“It’s historical,” Valkyries center Monique Billings said. “We definitely just want to show up for the moment.”
“I feel like this is just a historic theme,” Sparks forward Rickea Jackson told the Bay Area News Group. “This is the Valkyries’ first time playing against an opponent and we’re the first team they get to play against. History is being made.”
California used to be a two-team WNBA state when the Sparks and Sacramento Monarchs – one of the eight founding members of the league – were in-state rivals before the Monarchs folded in 2009.
Last week’s preseason game between the Sparks and Valkyries gave an early peak into what the rivalry could look like. “Beat L.A.” signs and shirts were present throughout the crowd of 17,428, the third-highest for a preseason game in WNBA history.
Though the geography of the teams make the matchup a natural rivalry, some Golden State players believe time will tell before the intensity between the teams kicks in.
“I think we’re just going to have to feel (the rivalry) out as we go,” Golden State guard Kate Martin said. “We only played each other in a preseason game and I think they’re also like our colleagues as well. It might develop, it might not. I think it’s going to take some time to see it forms into that.”
French forward joins Valkyries
Janelle Salaün is finally here.
The French forward has joined the Valkyries after missing the entirety of training camp and the team’s two preseason games to fulfill commitments with Italian League team Famila Schio.
Salaün arrived in the Bay Area on Thursday and participated in the Valkyries’ pregame shoot around on Friday morning, though she is ruled out of the opener for rest reasons.
“I’ve been following (the team) on social media and it looks amazing,” Salaün said. “Just today at shoot around, the energy was awesome.”
At 6-foot-3, Salaün brings much-needed size to a roster hit by injuries to forwards Stephanie Talbot and Cecilia Zandalasini.
Former Stanford star’s return is TBD
The Valkyries won’t need to worry about game planning for Sparks center and former Stanford star Cameron Brink anytime soon.
Brink is recovering from a torn ACL that she suffered last June. Though some reports have suggested that she’ll make her return next month, Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said there is no set date for Brink’s comeback.
“We don’t know the timeline, but she’s at home now getting all things she needs to get done there,” Roberts said. “She’s with us in spirit, but she’ll be back when she’s ready to roll. We don’t know exactly when, but she’s working hard and she’s integrated.”
Brink averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 15 games last year.
Warriors coach will be in attendance
Though Steve Kerr will have to deal with more pressing questions about his team in the coming weeks, the Golden State Warriors coach said he would be in attendance to witness the Valkyries’ historic season opener.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Kerr told reporters Friday. “I think watching everything unfold over the last year, year and a half since the franchise was formed. It’s been incredible to watch. I think the branding has been amazing, the name, the colors, just kind of the unveiling of the team.”
Kerr has formed a strong relationship with Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase since she was hired last year. Nakase said she has been taking advice from Kerr in preparation for this season.
“His way of communicating to me, to his players is second to none,” Nakase said. “Steve has so much experience that I’m just hoping I’ll just get 1% of his knowledge.”
Bay Area News Group reporter Joseph Dycus contributed to this story.
