The Las Vegas Valkyries opened the WNBA semi‑final series with a surprising 71‑60 victory over the Los Angeles Aces on Friday night at San Francisco’s Chase Center. The win gives the second‑seeded Valkyries a 1‑0 lead in the best‑of‑five series.
Key moments and standout play
The game began with a defensive highlight when Kiah Stokes blocked A’ja Wilson’s first‑shot attempt, setting the tone for the Valkyries’ gritty effort. Despite shooting only 32% from the floor in the opening quarter, the Valkyries secured three offensive rebounds early, keeping the ball in their possession.
Gabby Williams emerged as the night’s offensive catalyst, converting 90% of her shots in the first quarter and finishing with a team‑high 25 points. The crowd even broke into a “Gabby! Gabby! Gabby!” chant as her hot hand continued.
Both Stokes and Thornton contributed 11 rebounds each, many on the offensive end, while newcomer Aminata Gueye added nine points, two rebounds, two steals and a block in just 13 minutes, showcasing the chemistry she built with Williams during the recent FIBA World Cup.
Beyond the scoreboard
The Valkyries’ victory also featured a cultural touchstone: rapper Too $hort, who performed at the Valkyries’ previous round‑one win, was present for the semi‑final opener, providing a morale boost for the team and fans alike.
Looking ahead, Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Chase Center, where the Aces will seek to even the series.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
