Valkyries Blow Out Aces in Shocking Upset
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Las Vegas Aces 95–68 in a dominant victory on their national television debut. The WNBA’s newest franchise never trailed, upsetting the two-time champions with a dominant performance. Las Vegas struggled to find any offensive rhythm, while the Valkyries were locked in on both ends of the floor. It was a statement victory for Golden State, who looked cohesive and confident throughout. The game also marked a reunion between Valkyries’ head coach Natalie Nakase and Aces’ head coach Becky Hammon, as Nakase previously served as an assistant under Hammon in Las Vegas.
After one, the game was close with Golden State leading 15–13 in a low-scoring, back-and-forth quarter. Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm early. By halftime, Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd combined to shoot 0-for-10 from the field, six misses from three. Rookie Aaliyah Nye led the Aces with eight points at the break, while Kayla Thornton paced the Valkyries with 15. The second quarter was a turning point, as Golden State outscored Las Vegas 34–15. The Valkyries capped the dominant frame with a deep buzzer-beater from Kate Martin. Their defensive strategy of packing the paint and forcing someone else to beat them caused major problems for the Aces.
The Aces threw a punch in the third quarter, but Golden State remained in control, taking a 71–49 lead into the final frame. Las Vegas showed some fight with a brief scoring run, but the Valkyries never let the game get too close. A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray were the only Aces to reach double figures, as the rest of the roster continued to struggle offensively. In the fourth, the Aces were not able to mount a comeback. The starters were pulled with six and a half minutes left, which essentially solidified the game. Golden State’s commanding lead and defensive pressure left no room for a Las Vegas rally, sealing the Valkyries’ convincing victory.
Golden State closed out the game strong, never allowing the Aces to rally. The Valkyries showed they can compete at a high level heading into the rest of the season. Las Vegas now faces a three-game homestand where they’ll look to regroup and find their rhythm. Meanwhile, Golden State builds confidence from this statement win as they continue to establish themselves in the league. Both teams will have opportunities to adjust and improve in the coming weeks.
