Golden State Valkyries vs Washington Mystics Prediction & Picks - WNBA

Prediction published on 8/13/25, 3:31 PM  by Erik Gibbs in WNBA Picks

The Golden State Valkyries travel to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for a pivotal matchup against the Mystics, with postseason stakes looming large for both squads. Golden State enters at 16-15, sitting 7th in the league standings but just one game ahead of ninth place.

With only the top eight teams earning playoff berths, every game carries significant weight. The Valkyries have been trending upward, winning two straight and five of their last seven, giving them momentum at a crucial point in the season.

Washington, meanwhile, sits at 14-17 and in 10th place, 1.5 games behind the eighth seed. The Mystics snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday with a convincing 91-78 win over Dallas, showing they still have the fight to push for a playoff spot.

However, roster changes and injuries may hinder that effort. The midseason trade of Brittney Sykes has reduced the team’s overall talent, and Shakira Austin — Washington’s second-leading scorer and leader in steals and blocks — missed the last game and could be sidelined again. Her absence would be a major blow to both the Mystics’ defense and offensive balance.

One of Golden State’s defining strengths this season has been its defense. The Valkyries allow just 77.1 points per game, a mark that ranks among the league’s best. This disciplined, physical defensive approach has compensated for an offense that has struggled to find consistent scoring output.