In a historic overtime showdown on Friday night, the Golden State Valkyries secured a spot in the WNBA Finals, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 87‑77 in Game 3 of the Western Conference championship series. The victory makes the Valkyries the quickest expansion franchise ever to reach the league’s championship round.
Key performances
Kayla Thornton led the way for Golden State, scoring 18 points and delivering the decisive transition layup that tied the game at 69‑69 with 1:50 remaining. Gabby Williams added 16 points, including eight in the overtime period, and stole the ball from Aces star Aja Wilson in the final minutes of regulation to spark the comeback.
For the Aces, veteran forward Aja Wilson, who was honored before the game for earning an unprecedented fifth MVP award, posted 21 points on 6‑for‑19 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. Former Aces players Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes each contributed 11 points, with Stokes also pulling down 10 rebounds.
Game flow
The Valkyries built a 17‑point surge early, pulling ahead 53‑47. Las Vegas narrowed the gap to a single point by the end of the quarter, limiting the Aces to just seven points in that span. The Aces reclaimed a six‑point lead late in the fourth quarter, but a crucial steal by Williams and Thornton’s quick layup forced overtime.
In the extra period, Golden State dominated, outscoring the Aces 16‑6. Veronica Burton’s 9‑foot floater gave the Valkyries a lead with 1:12 left in regulation, and although the Aces tied the game on a pass from Chelsea Gray to Jackie Young with 27 seconds remaining, they could not recover in overtime.
Implications
With the series now tied 2‑1, the Valkyries will enjoy home‑court advantage in the upcoming Finals, set to begin Oct. 17, when they host the No. 4‑seeded Atlanta Dream. The win also extends a remarkable playoff trend: teams that lead a series 2‑0 are 22‑0 in WNBA postseason history.
Las Vegas, the third‑seeded Aces, have captured three of the past four championships, underscoring the magnitude of Golden State’s achievement. The Valkyries’ rapid ascent highlights the growing competitiveness of the league and the increasing talent pool across the nation.
Looking ahead
The Finals will feature a clash of styles: Golden State’s fast‑paced, transition‑heavy offense versus Atlanta’s disciplined, defense‑first approach. Fans can expect a tightly contested series as the Valkyries aim to add a first championship to their résumé, while the Dream look to continue their recent surge after sweeping New York earlier in the night.
Both teams will be playing in front of enthusiastic crowds, with the Valkyries hoping to capitalize on their home‑court advantage and the momentum generated by their overtime triumph.
Original reporting: KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
