Prediction: New York Liberty VS Golden State Valkyries 2025-06-25
Witty & Sarcastic Analysis: The "Golden" Opportunity for the Valkyries?
The New York Liberty, fresh off a season where they somehow won a championship (thanks, Sabrina Ionescu?), are now playing with one hand tied behind their back. Jonquel Jones is out for a month, three starters were absent in their last game, and Breanna Stewart is probably whispering incantations to the basketball gods just to keep the team afloat. Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries—led by a team that’s technically the most expensive in WNBA history—are coming off a 24-point drubbing of Connecticut. If you’re betting on chaos, the Valkyries are your chaos theorists.
Key Stats & Context:
- New York Liberty: 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. Ionescu is still dropping 20 PPG, but the team’s defense crumbled without Jones (14.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG). Their last game? A 3-starter absence that would make a monk weep.
- Golden State Valkyries: 7-6, but their defense is a beast (league-leading rebounds, 3rd in steals). Their offense? A leaky sieve (28th in FG%). They’ve beaten Connecticut, Las Vegas, and Seattle this season—teams that collectively have a combined 30-12 record.
Injuries & Updates:
- Jonquel Jones (Liberty) is out for at least a month. Her absence is like asking a team to play chess without a queen.
- Golden State is healthy, but their shooting percentages would make a rookie blush.
Odds Breakdown:
- Moneyline:
- New York: -121 to -125 (implied probability: ~54-56%)
- Golden State: +400 to +440 (implied probability: ~22-23%)
- Spread: New York -8.5 (-110) / Golden State +8.5 (-110)
Underdog Win Rate: 32% for WNBA (basketball).
Calculating Expected Value (EV):
1. Golden State Moneyline:
- Implied probability: ~23% (using +440).
- Underdog win rate: 32%.
- Split the difference: 27.5% chance of winning.
- EV: (0.275 * 4.4) - (0.725 * 1) = +0.455 (positive EV).
2. New York Moneyline:
- Implied probability: ~55%.
- Adjusted for injuries: Let’s say their actual win chance is 45%.
- EV: (0.45 * 0.83) - (0.55 * 1) = -0.09 (negative EV).
The Verdict:
While the Liberty’s paper-thin roster might make you want to bet on them out of sympathy, the math says otherwise. Golden State’s +440 line is a golden goose for value hunters. Their defense can exploit New York’s shoddy interior play (Jones’ absence = free baskets for Valkyries), and even if they shoot like they’re playing in a blizzard, 87-63 over Connecticut proves they can dominate when it matters.
Best Bet: Golden State Valkyries +440
- Why: Positive EV (27.5% implied vs. 32% historical underdog rate).
- Risk: The Liberty’s Ionescu is elite, but their injuries and inconsistent defense make them vulnerable.
Spread Alternative: Golden State +8.5 (-110)
- The line is aggressive, but New York’s offensive inconsistency (18th in FG%) and Golden State’s rebounding dominance make the spread a safer play if you’re risk-averse.
Final Joke:
If the Valkyries win, tell them I said, “I told you they’d be the rebound of the century.” If they lose? At least they’ll have $500 million to cry over. 🏀💸
Created: June 25, 2025, 8:16 a.m. GMT