Valkyries Face Wings: Thornton Out, Ogunbowale Leads Dallas

Why this matters: Thornton's absence significantly impacts the Valkyries' chances, while Ogunbowale's form could give the Wings an edge. Bettors and fans should consider these factors when assessing the game.

The Dallas Wings (7-17) visit the Golden State Valkyries (10-12) on Friday, with the Valkyries favored by 5.5 points. The Wings are aiming for consecutive wins, a feat they've only achieved twice this season. The Valkyries, however, will be missing Kayla Thornton, their leading scorer and rebounder.

Arike Ogunbowale's performance will be crucial for the Wings. In their recent game against the Seattle Storm, she scored 20 points, demonstrating her ability to lead the team's offense. Paige Bueckers is also a key player for Dallas, averaging 18.2 points and 5.5 assists.

Golden State's offensive rebounding is a strength, ranking third in the WNBA with 9.4 per game. Temi Fagbenle leads the team with 2.2 offensive boards per game. However, their scoring averages 79.1 points per game, which is below the 85.8 points the Wings allow.

Dallas has a 3-8 record in games decided by 10 or more points, indicating they struggle in decisive matchups. The Wings' field goal percentage is 41.7%, slightly above the 40.1% average opponents have against Golden State.

Injuries:

Kayla Thornton is undergoing evaluation for a lower left leg injury and will miss the game.

Arike Ogunbowale is coming off a 20-point game and is a key offensive player for the Wings.

The Valkyries are favored by 5.5 points, with an over/under of 163.

Do you think the Valkyries can win without Thornton? Who will step up for Golden State? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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