Why Gabby Williams chose to play for Golden State Valkyries
Valkyries’ Gabby Williams shares with USAT’s Meghan L. Hall why she chose Golden State in the wild WNBA free agency.
Sports Seriously
The Golden State Valkyries are having the kind of season many believed the Indiana Fever would have headed into 2026.
The Valkyries are on a seven-game win streak and one game out of first place as they face the Fever on Wednesday, July 15, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Fever are 14-9 and 6-4 in their last 10 games, good for fifth in the league standings, and are hoping to win their third straight tonight.
Golden State, an expansion team last season, made the playoffs in their first season and has only improved. The Valkyries added Gabby Williams in free agency to an already well-rounded roster including Janelle Salaun, Veronica Burton and Kayla Thorton.
The Fever have had injury issues, with both Caitlin Clark (back) and Aliyah Boston (lower right leg) missing games. Indiana made it the semifinals of the playoffs last season without Clark, and were expected to be a favorite this season.
The teams played May 22, with Golden State prevailing 90-82 in Indianapolis.
USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates and highlights of Wednesday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Golden State Valkyries.
We’re underway at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What time is Indiana Fever vs Golden State Valkyries?
- Date: Wednesday, July 15
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
The Fever and Valkyries play at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 15, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
What TV channel is Indiana Fever vs Golden State Valkyries on today?
Monique Billings, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell are getting the start for the Fever. This unit has started 14 of the Fever’s 23 games this season, going 8-6 in that stretch.
Veronica Burton, Kiah Stokes, Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams and Cecilia Zandalasini are the first five on the floor for Golden State. This unit has made 16 starts together this season and has gone 11-5 in that stretch.
Fever star Caitlin Clark continues to deal with back issues and will play fewer minutes to make sure she doesn’t aggravate it.
Ahead of tipoff against the Valkyries on Wednesday, Caitlin Clark took a moment to shake hands with Lin Dunn, who served as the Fever head coach from 2008 to 2014. Dunn currently serves as the Fever’s senior advisor.
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for Week 8 of the 2026 WNBA season after averaging 28.0 points per game, in addition to 2.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
Three Fever players were named All-Star starters: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell. Although Clark “would’ve liked if we were all together” on the same team, she noted that was highly unlikely. Clark and Boston were picked to join Team Teresa Weatherspoon, while Kelsey Mitchell was selected on Team Cynthia Cooper, pitting the teammates against each other.
“I love that I got AB (Aliyah Boston) with me,” Clark said on Wednesday, July 15. “I never want to have to guard Kelsey (Mitchell), so I’m not too excited about that.” Check out the full All-Star team rosters here.
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