Golden State Valkyries secure a thrilling 83-81 win over Las Vegas Aces, taking a 2-0 lead in the WNBA semifinals.
The Golden State Valkyries moved to the brink of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night, overcoming a furious second-half rally from the Las Vegas Aces to secure an 83-81 victory in Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals at Chase Center in San Francisco. The win gave Golden State a commanding 2-0 advantage in the best-of-five series and left the defending champions facing elimination in Game 3. The Valkyries controlled much of the contest before Las Vegas mounted a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter, but Golden State made the most important plays when the game was on the line.
Early Control by the Valkyries
Golden State established control from the opening minutes, using its defensive pressure, perimeter shooting and balanced scoring attack to build an early cushion. The Valkyries jumped out to a 7-0 lead and held Las Vegas to only 11 points in the opening quarter, taking a 19-11 advantage after the first 10 minutes. Golden State continued to dictate the tempo in the second quarter, adding 23 points while the Aces managed 20, sending the Valkyries into halftime with a 42-31 lead. The home team then extended the advantage in the third quarter, scoring 24 points to Las Vegas' 24 and entering the final period ahead 66-55. At its largest, Golden State's lead reached 17 points, putting the Aces in a difficult position entering the closing stretch.
Standout Performances
Tiffany Hayes was one of the biggest difference-makers for Golden State, delivering 21 points off the bench and providing an enormous offensive spark against her former team. Gabby Williams added 20 points and five rebounds, while Kayla Thornton contributed 16 points as the Valkyries received significant production from multiple areas of the roster. Golden State's bench ultimately outscored Las Vegas' reserves 34-14, an advantage that became particularly important as the game entered its decisive stages. The Valkyries' depth has been a major theme throughout their playoff run, and Game 2 again demonstrated why their ability to receive contributions beyond their primary scorers can make them so difficult to defend over a full 40 minutes.
Aces' Fourth-Quarter Rally
The Aces, however, refused to go quietly. Led by A'ja Wilson, who finished with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting and seven rebounds, Las Vegas dramatically changed the complexion of the game in the fourth quarter. The Aces scored 26 points in the final period while Golden State managed 17, turning what had been a double-digit Valkyries advantage into a one-possession battle. Chelsea Gray helped ignite the comeback with a jumper that cut the deficit to 73-68 with 4:46 remaining, and Dana Evans followed with a three-pointer to make it 74-71. Gray then buried another three with 2:10 left to tie the game, giving Las Vegas its first real opportunity to steal the victory after trailing for most of the night.
Decisive Plays in the Final Moments
With the game tied late, Golden State found its answer through Veronica Burton. After a shot-clock violation gave the Valkyries possession with 1:01 remaining, Burton stepped into a deep three-pointer that put Golden State back in front with 41 seconds left. It was her lone made field goal of the night, but its timing could not have been more significant. Burton then converted two free throws in the final seconds after Jackie Young missed the second of two attempts with six seconds remaining, giving Las Vegas one final opportunity. Chelsea Gray collected the rebound and drove underneath the basket for a potential tying layup, but Kiah Stokes came across with a crucial block. Burton secured the loose ball, allowing Golden State to close out the two-point victory.
The victory places the Valkyries in an extraordinary position just two seasons into franchise history. Golden State is now one win away from reaching the WNBA Finals, while Las Vegas must win three consecutive games to keep its championship defense alive. Game 3 will shift to Las Vegas on Friday, giving the Aces home court and an urgent opportunity to extend the series. Becky Hammon acknowledged the stakes after Game 2, emphasizing that the Aces now face a true must-win situation. For Golden State, meanwhile, the formula is simple: win one more game. After controlling Game 2 for three quarters, surviving the Aces' fourth-quarter surge and producing the decisive plays under pressure, the Valkyries have positioned themselves within touching distance of a historic Finals appearance.
