WNBA Action Returns: Portland Fire Take on Golden State Valkyries
The wait is over! After a high-stakes break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, the WNBA is back in full swing. This Friday night, the atmosphere will be electric as the Portland Fire travel to San Francisco to face off against the Golden State Valkyries at the iconic Chase Center.
This isn’t just another game on the calendar; it’s a battle of momentum and resilience. With tip-off scheduled for 10:00 PM ET, basketball fans across the country will be tuning in to see if the Fire can play spoiler to one of the league’s most dominant forces.
Golden State Valkyries: Chasing Home-Court Dominance
The Golden State Valkyries are currently riding a wave of success. Boasting a four-game winning streak and a stellar 29-11 record, they currently sit second in the WNBA standings, just two games behind Minnesota. While they have already secured their spot in the playoffs, the mission now is clear: secure home-court advantage.
However, the road to victory might be bumpy this Friday. The team is dealing with potential absences from key stars Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaün, and Cecilia Zandalasini, who are recovering from their grueling World Cup duties. Will the depth of the Valkyries’ roster be enough to maintain their streak?
Portland Fire: The Rise of Carla Leite
Although the Portland Fire have been eliminated from playoff contention in their challenging expansion season, they are far from giving up. The Fire have found a beacon of hope in Carla Leite, who has rapidly emerged as the centerpiece of their offense. Averaging an impressive 15.6 points and 6.3 assists per game, Leite is a playmaker that no defense can afford to ignore.
Portland is also playing for pride and revenge. In their previous meeting on August 30, the Valkyries took the win 86-69. With Golden State potentially missing key contributors, the Fire see this as the perfect opportunity to settle the score.
Game Day Details: How to Watch Fire vs Valkyries
Don’t miss a second of the action in this thrilling matchup. Here is everything you need to know to catch the game:
- Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ION
- Live Stream: Fubo (Free trial available)
If you want to experience the game without a cable subscription, Fubo is the ultimate choice. You can stream the Fire vs Valkyries game live on your phone, tablet, or TV, while gaining access to a massive array of sports and entertainment channels like ESPN, FOX, and CBS.
Whether you are rooting for the Valkyries to solidify their top-tier standing or cheering for the Fire to pull off a stunning upset, this is WNBA basketball at its finest. Make sure to tune in!
For more updates on the league and player stats, visit the official WNBA website.
