The Las Vegas Aces rolled into Chase Center for their first meeting with the Golden State Valkyries, the new kids on the block in the WNBA. The Valkyries were looking to stop a four game drought. The Aces were looking for their third win in a row. What followed was a good old-fashion whooping.
The stats tell the story. The Aces were held to 35.5% shooting omitted 22 – 62 shots. The Valkyries went 34 – 71 and shot 47.9%. Golden State hit 10 -28 from beyond the arc, while Las Vegas hit 6 – 25. The Aces were out rebounded 43 – 31, Golden State had 24 assists to the Aces 11, 7 – 5 in steals, and conceded 7 points on 12 turnovers while Las Vegas gave up 10 points on 13 turnovers.
Finally , Las Vegas never had a lead. The Valkyries won every quarter, including a dominant 34 – 15 second quarter. In the +/- column, every Las Vegas player was in the minus. Jewel Loyd and Jackie Young combined for 9 points, no threes, and each player only had one field goal apiece. A’ja Wilson totaled 17 points and was a -18. Chelsea Gray scored 16 points and was a -17. The only other player to hit double figures was Aaliyah Nye who scored 13, who hit three of the Aces 6 threes, and was a -14.
Golden State was an entirely different story. All five starters scored and all were on the + side. Kayla Thornton led the way with 22 points and was +17. Cecilia Zandalasini scored 18 and was a +12.Veronica Burton, who really was the engine for this train, scored 14 and was a +40. Off the bench, Monique Billings scored 14 and was +9, and Kate Martin scored 12 and was a +30. That’s enough stats.
The Valkyries Effort Versus The Aces
To say that Golden State was the better team in this game is a gross understatement. From the start, Las Vegas looked disconnected, out of synch, and lacked any substantial energy. I am sure there are those who might say that this was a game the Las Vegas should have won. I think that sentiment can easily be thrown out the window. I’m also sure that the Valkyries had no such thought, that they were supposed to lose to this seemingly iconic team, which was once referred to as a super team. That too can go out the window.
This was Las Vegas’s third loss. Their first was against the Liberty, 92 – 78. Next was to Seattle, 102 -82. And now the Valkyries, 95 – 68. See the pattern? The Valkyries have 5 losses. Curiously, their back to back with the Liberty scores were 95 – 67, a substantial blowout, and then 82 – 77. Even on the losing end, the Valkyries are improving.
Ballhalla defended ⚔️
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) June 7, 2025
SAY IT WITH US, VALKS WIN 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/BY6US3pv7c
What is in the Valkyries favor is that of the 12 players on the roster, 9 are veterans. Rookie Janelle Salaun is a starter. The Aces are also a veteran heavy team, who are used to working like a well-oiled machine. In this game they ran out of oil.
Marquee trade Jewell Loyd has yet to really fit in with the Aces. A’ja Wilson committed 5 turnovers, went 5 – 13 shooting and 7 – 8 from the stripe. Whatever muscle the Aces have was not on display in this game. They simply got outplayed and badly beaten, 95 – 68, by today’s better team.
What’s Next For Las Vegas and Golden State?
Will the Valkyries continue to rack up wins in this fashion? How will this loss affect the Aces going forward. Clearly things are not working. I suspect Becky Hammon‘s drawing board will be thick with plans to right the ship, which, while still afloat, needs major repair. But given everything, it was an entertaining game, a real surprise to many. I wonder how surprised the Valkyries are? Probably not as much as one might think.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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