Golden State Valkyries and New York Liberty headline two WNBA picks for tonight's slate

It might be a bit hard to believe, but one of the best teams in the WNBA is only in its second year of existence.Normally, expansion teams are terrible, but the Valkyries are showing how it can be done correctly.

Hockey seems to have success with expansion teams as well, but the NBA and MLB tend to struggle for whatever reason.I think part of what makes them so successful is the balance the they have.

They have both inside and outside presences that can put the ball in the bucket.What is crazy is that the team only has three scorers averaging more than 10 points per game.

However, they have eight players averaging six or more per game, meaning it is really tough to match up with them as everyone can (and does) contribute.New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart reacts to a call in the third quarter against the Dallas Wings at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.(Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)The New York Liberty came into this season as the favorites to win the WNBA Championship.

They've looked like anything but a championship team.Sure, they still have the star power with Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu, but the team is just 10-10 on the road.

Some teams tend to struggle on the road, but you have to be able to win there if you want to hoist the trophy at the end of the year.The Liberty have been a bit streaky this year, but they are in the midst of a good streak, winning 10 of their past 13 games.

They also are 13-5 at home this year with an average margin of victory of 13.5 points.I'm taking the Liberty tonight.

The Valkyries have had the Liberty's number this season, but I like New York's form, home court advantage, and the need to avoid the season sweep.Give me New York -2.5.Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams is defended by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in the second quarter at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on May 28, 2026.

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