Why is Kayla Thornton not playing?
Kayla Thornton is undergoing evaluation for a lower left leg injury and will miss the game.
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ARTICLE DETAIL
Valkyries Face Wings: Thornton Out, Ogunbowale Leads Dallas | Unrivaled 1-on-1 Tournament: Key Highlights and Results | Azzi Fudd Emerges as Top Pick for Dallas Wings | Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark: WNBA Updates and Project B | Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers Team Up for Marketing Collaboration | 2026 WNBA Draft: Top Prospects and Lottery Details | Sonia Raman Makes WNBA History as Seattle Storm Head Coach | Caitlin Clark Injury Recovery and Indiana Fever Offseason | Paige Bueckers Named to All-WNBA Second Team After Historic Rookie Season | Valkyries Face Wings: Thornton Out, Ogunbowale Leads Dallas | Unrivaled 1-on-1 Tournament: Key Highlights and Results | Azzi Fudd Emerges as Top Pick for Dallas Wings | Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark: WNBA Updates and Project B | Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers Team Up for Marketing Collaboration | 2026 WNBA Draft: Top Prospects and Lottery Details | Sonia Raman Makes WNBA History as Seattle Storm Head Coach | Caitlin Clark Injury Recovery and Indiana Fever Offseason | Paige Bueckers Named to All-WNBA Second Team After Historic Rookie Season
WNBA / Game Previews
Valkyries Face Wings: Thornton Out, Ogunbowale Leads Dallas
The Dallas Wings are set to face the Golden State Valkyries in their second matchup of the season. Dallas won the first game 80-71&ref=yanuki.com in June, but this time, the Valkyries will be without a key player.
Key Insights
- **Kayla Thornton's Absence:** Golden State Valkyries' All-Star Kayla Thornton is out due to a lower left leg evaluation. This is a significant loss as she leads the team in scoring (14.0 PPG) and rebounding (7.0 RPG).
- **Ogunbowale's Leadership:** Arike Ogunbowale is coming off a 20-point performance in the Wings' recent victory over the Seattle Storm, making her a key player to watch.
- **Betting Odds:** The Valkyries are favored by 5.5 points, with an over/under of 163, according to BETMGM SPORTSBOOK.
- **Team Records:** As of July 24, 2025, the Wings are 7-17 (3-10 in the Western Conference), while the Valkyries are 10-12 (5-8 in the Western Conference).
In-Depth Analysis
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:** - Valkyries: Kayla Thornton (lower left leg) is out. - Wings: Maddy Siegrist (knee) and Tyasha Harris (knee) are out.
FAQ
Who is leading the Dallas Wings in scoring?
Arike Ogunbowale is coming off a 20-point game and is a key offensive player for the Wings.
What are the betting odds for the game?
The Valkyries are favored by 5.5 points, with an over/under of 163.
Takeaways
- **Thornton's absence hurts the Valkyries' offense and rebounding.**
- **Ogunbowale's performance is critical for the Wings' success.**
- **Consider the betting odds and injury reports when making predictions.**
- **Keep an eye on Paige Bueckers for the Wings.**
Discussion
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Sources
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