Valkyries Try To Stuff A'ja Wilson, Fall 91-81 to Aces

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The defending champs were too big and strong for this first go around.

The Las Vegas Aces proved to be a valuable measuring stick for the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday afternoon, as Golden State battled one of the WNBA's elite teams before falling 91-81 in front of another sold-out crowd at Chase Center.

The Valkyries attempted to challenge the Aces with a smaller, faster lineup, but Las Vegas' physicality and dominance in the paint ultimately proved too much to overcome.

Despite trailing by as many as 24 points, Golden State never stopped fighting, using an 18-6 fourth-quarter run to make the final score far more competitive than the game appeared for much of the afternoon.

Ballahalla Brings the Energy

As has become the norm in the Bay Area, the atmosphere inside Ballhalla was electric from the opening tip. The Valkyries recorded their 29th consecutive sellout, drawing 18,064 fans to Chase Center for one of the most anticipated matchups of the young season.

The star-studded atmosphere extended beyond the court as actor and comedian Adam Sandler and his wife, Jackie Sandler, were in attendance at Chase Center. Their presence added to the buzz surrounding the matchup between the expansion Valkyries and the defending champion Aces, as another capacity crowd filled Ballhalla for one of the most anticipated games of the young season.

A'ja Wilson and the Aces Take Control

Unfortunately for the Valkyries, for much of the afternoon the Aces showcased why they remain one of the league's premier teams, led by their veteran core and anchored by superstar A'ja Wilson who finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists. Las Vegas controlled the pace early and capitalized on Golden State turnovers and defensive breakdowns to build a commanding lead.

Golden State's small-ball approach created opportunities offensively at times, but it also left the Valkyries vulnerable against the size and strength of Las Vegas. The Aces repeatedly attacked the paint, won key rebounding battles, and generated high-percentage scoring chances that allowed them to steadily build their advantage.

One bright spot for the Valkyries came early in the first quarter when Janelle Salaün reached a career milestone. The French forward scored her 500th career point on a jumper and continued to provide offensive production throughout the afternoon. Salaün finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and two steals while helping keep Golden State within striking distance during several stretches of the game.

Gabby Williams once again showcased why she has become one of the Valkyries' most important players. Williams recorded a season-high 20 points while adding four rebounds, consistently attacking the basket and creating offense when Golden State needed it most. Whether pushing the pace in transition or generating opportunities in the half court, Williams remained one of the few constants for the Valkyries against a disciplined Las Vegas defense.

Veteran forward Kayla Thornton also delivered a strong performance, knocking down four three-pointers and finishing with 12 points. Thornton's floor spacing helped open driving lanes for her teammates, and her leadership became increasingly evident as the game progressed.

Still, the Aces appeared firmly in control entering the fourth quarter. Las Vegas stretched its lead to 24 points and seemed on its way to a comfortable road victory.

Valkyries Show Their Fight

Instead, the Valkyries showed the resilience that has quickly become a defining characteristic of their inaugural season.

Golden State's second unit injected life into the contest, fueled by contributions from Cecilia Zandalasini and rookie sensation, Justė Jocytė. "Ceci" scored a season-high nine points, while Jocytė continued to impress in limited opportunities scoring five points and knocking down her lone three-point attempt. She's now shooting 75 percent from beyond the arc this season.

The offense was sparked by the relentless defensive pressure. The Valkyries began pressing full court, forcing Las Vegas to speed up its decision-making and operate outside its comfort zone. The aggressive approach generated turnovers, extra possessions, and transition opportunities that finally energized both the team and the crowd.

Head Coach Natalie Nakase credited her team's effort and defensive intensity for fueling the comeback.

"Their fight," Nakase said. "We picked up, we ran, we jumped. It took Vegas out of their rhythm because we're pressing them. We got an extra couple possessions out of it, and then that gave off transition offense, and it led to some easy shots, so our defense dictated our offense."

The Valkyries responded with an 18-6 run, cutting deeply into what had once been a seemingly insurmountable deficit. Every defensive stop was met with a roar from the Chase Center crowd as Golden State fought to extend the game.

Although the rally ultimately fell short, the final minutes provided an encouraging glimpse of the team's potential depth. Williams emphasized the importance of the second unit's contributions after the game.

"That can carry over," Williams said. "It was that second unit that made that run, and this is a long season, so our depth is going to be our strength."

Nakase also took responsibility for the team's earlier struggles and stressed that improvement starts with her leadership.

"It starts with my leadership," Nakase said. "It's how I'm correcting them. So it starts with me. I got to correct my message. I got to deliver better. I have to be better because they're only going to go based off of the messages that I'm sending."

Thornton echoed the team's focus on returning to its defensive roots.

"We're a defense-first team," Thornton said. "That's how we want to win games."

Thornton also spent much of the afternoon battling Wilson in the paint, a difficult assignment against one of the league's most dominant players.

"A'ja is great, right? A'ja is who she is," Thornton said. "Being undersized, I had to do a little more work and just rely on the help from my teammates."

The final score may go down as a loss, but the fourth-quarter fight left Golden State with valuable lessons and momentum moving forward. Against one of the WNBA's premier franchises, the Valkyries learned how thin the margin for error can be against championship-caliber opponents.

While the Aces' size and physicality won the day, the Valkyries' determination and refusal to quit provided another example of the culture being built in San Francisco. As the season continues, the final 10 minutes against the defending champions may prove just as important as the first 30.

UP NEXT

• The Valkyries host Portland on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m., airing on KPIX+, KMAX, 95.7 The Game and The Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.