Valkyries activate center Monique Billings from injury, waive Bree Hall

The injury-riddled Valkyries will be getting some much-needed depth coming back to their lineup. 

Center Monique Billings has been activated from injury and will be available to play in Tuesday’s game against the New York Liberty. 

In a corresponding move, Golden State has waived guard Bree Hall two days before her seven-day hardship contract was set to expire. 

Billings has missed the last 14 games with a right ankle sprain she suffered in the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Dream on July 29. The former UCLA standout was ramped up over the last two weeks and was seen practicing before the Valkyries’ last two home games. 

“It’s only been three and a half weeks, but it feels like it’s been three months,” Billings told reporters at practice on Wednesday. “I’m just excited to get back out with the team.”

Billings was having a solid season before she got hurt. 

She has averaged 7.5 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting a career-best 49.6% from the field. The 6-foot-4 forward has started eight games this season and was a steady presence off the bench when players left for EuroBasket in June. 

Billings figures to be in the mix of the Valkyries’ frontcourt rotation in the next few games, along with Iliana Rupert and Temi Fágbénlé. 

The Valkyries are still waiting for forward Cecilia Zandalasini (calf) and veteran guard Tiffany Hayes (knee) to return from the injured list. Both have day-to-day labels. 

After beating the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Golden State (21-18) moved into sixth in the standings. The Valkyries have a tiebreaker advantage over the seventh-place Seattle Storm and are a half-game ahead of the Fever.

Should the Valkyries get three more wins, the expansion team would clinch a playoff spot.