WNBA: Get ready for the first-ever Golden State Valkyries’ game

It’s a full week of preseason games in the WNBA. Tuesday will feature three games, while Wednesday gives us one more matinee matchup to view.

This season, the WNBA has made it easy to watch preseason action. Every game is free via WNBA League Pass, so you have no excuse for missing any of these contests.

Here is one thing to keep an eye on for each game:

Minnesota Lynx begin preseason

While the Chicago Sky have already begun their preseason by easily beating the Brazilian National team, the Minnesota Lynx have yet to play. That changes on Tuesday as the Lynx take on the Sky in Chicago.

Minnesota fell short of its goal of winning it all last year, losing in the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty. This is the first step on its journey for title No. 5. Napheesa Collier and company will be ready to go, and while a preseason win isn’t their main objective for 2025, it’d be ideal to start strong when their starters take the floor in Wintrust Arena.

The Sky were impressive against Brazil, but this game should provide a stronger test. If they still look good against the Lynx, that’s a good indicator that they are heading in the right direction.

Golden State Valkyries debut game

Tuesday will be historic with the Golden State Valkyries playing their first-ever WNBA game. They’ll host their Southern California rival, the Los Angeles Sparks, for this monumental moment.

Both teams have plenty to play for. The Valkyries are trying to grow and develop a culture, and the Sparks are trying to erase their last few losing seasons and start 2025 with a win.

With each team also playing each other to start the WNBA season, this game will be a fun appetizer before the main course arrives later in May.

The Aces are still good

Even in preseason, you can only have so much optimism. The Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury are two entirely different franchises. The Aces are title contenders, always fighting for WNBA dominance. This Mercury team is trying to figure out where they fit in this league.

After a dominant win over the Dallas Wings in their preseason opener, this game is another opportunity to evaluate how close A’ja Wilson and the Aces are to being the team to beat. Beyond that, these teams are two organizations rowing in opposite directions.

Sim to end?

The Atlanta Dream and the Washington Mystics were two of the weaker teams in 2024 and will likely be equally as poor in 2025. Looking for some fantasy basketball players or being a diehard for one of these teams is really the only reason to watch this preseason game.