Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

Valkyries Make Roster Decision Before WNBA Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 4:06 PM ET

The Golden State Valkyries enter the final week of the regular season with a 23-19 record, sitting sixth in the WNBA standings and having already clinched the postseason. Their next opponent? The Seattle Storm, who hold down the No. 8 position and the final playoff spot with a 22-21 record.

The regular season ends on Thursday, with the playoffs beginning on Sunday, Sept. 14, in a standard eight-team bracket (best of three first round, best of five semifinals, best of seven Finals). This makes Tuesday's contest between the Valkyries and Storm critical for both teams.

On Monday, the Valkyries made two moves to prepare themselves for the big game, waiving center Elizabeth Kitley and activating forward/wing Cecilia Zandalasini from injury.

Valkyries announce they've waived center Elizabeth Kitley and activated Cecilia Zandalasini
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) September 8, 2025

Kitley, the No. 24 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, had signed a seven-day hardship deal on Sept. 3 but did not appear in a game for Golden State.

Zandalasini, meanwhile, was sidelined with a left calf strain on Aug. 27 and was listed as questionable for Tuesday at Seattle. Monday’s move brings her back to active status ahead of the Storm matchup.

CBS Sports’ playoff primer projects Golden State to finish sixth at 23-19, predicting a 1-1 finish over their final two games. The Valkyries are followed by the Indiana Fever in seventh and Seattle in eighth, with the Los Angeles Sparks in ninth and needing to win out while hoping the Storm drop their finale to the Valkyries.

Minnesota has clinched the No. 1 seed, while the Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty have clinched as well. Only one spot remains to be clinched entering Monday’s slate and Seattle maintains the inside track for No. 8.

Both the Valkyries and the Storm are 6-4 in their last 10 games, yet Seattle (-280) is listed as -6.5 favorites with a 155.5 over/under, odds courtesy of ESPN BET.

The Valkyries vs. Storm game will take place at Climate Pledge Arena, with tip-off set for 10:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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