Burton, Valkyries square off against the Sparks

Golden State Valkyries (31-12, 14-8 Western Conference) at Los Angeles Sparks (16-27, 9-13 Western Conference) Los Angeles; Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Nneka Ogwumike and the Los Angeles Sparks host Veronica Burton and the Golden State Valkyries in Western Conference play Thursday. The Sparks are 9-13 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles ranks third in the WNBA with 21.8 assists per game. Erica Wheeler leads the Sparks averaging 5.0. The Valkyries are 14-8 in Western Conference play. Golden State is fifth in the Western Conference with 33.2 rebounds per game led by Kiah Stokes averaging 5.6. Los Angeles' average of 8.7 made 3-pointers per game this season is just 0.7 more made shots on average than the 8.0 per game Golden State gives up. Golden State's 42.3% shooting percentage from the field this season is 5.1 percentage points lower than Los Angeles has allowed to its opponents (47.4%). The teams play for the third time this season. The Valkyries won the last meeting 84-78 on Aug. 9, with Cecilia Zandalasini scoring 15 points in the victory. TOP PERFORMERS: Ogwumike is averaging 17.3 points and 8.9 rebounds for the Sparks. Dearica Hamby is averaging 8.8 points over the last 10 games. Burton is scoring 12.1 points per game and averaging 3.7 rebounds for the Valkyries. Gabby Williams is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Sparks: 4-6, averaging 82.2 points, 30.1 rebounds, 20.8 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 86.1 points per game. Valkyries: 7-3, averaging 78.2 points, 35.8 rebounds, 20.7 assists, 8.0 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 40.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.2 points. INJURIES: Sparks: Aaliyah Nye: out (ankle), Dearica Hamby: out (knee), Cameron Brink: out (ankle). Valkyries: Gabby Williams: day to day (reconditioning), Cecilia Zandalasini: day to day (reconditioning), Iliana Rupert: out for season (pregnancy), Janelle Salaun: day to day (reconditioning). ------ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.