SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries are one win away from the WNBA Finals.
Golden State survived a wild fourth-quarter comeback from the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, holding on for an 83-81 victory Wednesday night at Chase Center to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinals.
The Valkyries appeared to be in control for most of the night before Las Vegas turned the game into a thriller.
Golden State led by as many as 17 points and carried a 66-55 advantage into the fourth quarter. But the Aces refused to go away.
A’ja Wilson’s basket with 1:36 remaining gave Las Vegas its first lead of the night, putting the Aces ahead 76-74.
That’s when Golden State found its answer.
Gabby Williams calmly knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 76 before Veronica Burton delivered the biggest shot of the night.
With 41.5 seconds remaining, Burton drilled a deep 3-pointer to put the Valkyries ahead 79-76.
It was Burton’s lone converted field goal of the game.
Hayes Sparks Golden State
While Burton provided the late-game heroics, Tiffany Hayes was the offensive catalyst throughout the night.
Hayes came off the bench and erupted for a team-high 21 points, helping Golden State’s reserves outscore Las Vegas’ bench 34-14.
Gabby Williams added 20 points, five rebounds and three assists, continuing her impressive postseason run.
Kayla Thornton also delivered 16 points, while Kiah Stokes made perhaps the most important defensive play of the game.
Stokes’ Block Seals It
The Aces had one final opportunity.
After Jackie Young missed the second of two free throws with six seconds remaining, Chelsea Gray grabbed the offensive rebound and drove toward the basket.
With only 1.3 seconds left, Stokes stepped up and blocked Gray’s layup attempt.
Burton secured the loose ball, and Golden State escaped with the victory.
For a team that watched a double-digit lead disappear, the Valkyries showed tremendous composure when the game mattered most.
A’ja Wilson Leads Aces Comeback
Wilson finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, helping ignite the Aces’ fourth-quarter comeback.
Chelsea Gray added 10 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining that helped set up the dramatic finish.
But the Aces ultimately couldn’t complete the comeback.
What We Know
- Final: Golden State 83, Las Vegas 81
- Series: Valkyries lead 2-0
- Golden State’s largest lead: 17 points
- Tiffany Hayes: 21 points
- Gabby Williams: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
- Kayla Thornton: 16 points
- A’ja Wilson: 24 points, 7 rebounds
- Veronica Burton: Game-winning 3-pointer with 41.5 seconds left
- Kiah Stokes: Game-saving block with 1.3 seconds remaining
- Next: Game 3 in Las Vegas
The series now shifts to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Friday, Oct. 9, where the Valkyries will have a chance to close out the defending champions and reach the WNBA Finals in only their second season.
One More Win.
The Valkyries have already taken both games at home.
Now they get a chance to finish the job in Las Vegas.
Can Golden State complete the sweep and punch its ticket to the WNBA Finals?
