Valkyries instant analysis: A'ja Wilson-led Aces demolish Golden State
The Aces didn't just beat the Valkyries on Sunday afternoon.
They dismantled them.
Las Vegas raced out to a 20-point halftime lead and never let the Valkyries breathe as Golden State fell 92-73. It was the worst loss of the season for the Valkyries, who trailed by as much as 28 in the second half.
Golden State dropped its second straight game and have now lost its sixth straight to the Aces with Sunday’s defeat.
“They went on a run and weren’t able to stop that,” Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini said. “We’re gonna learn from this game because I think we can be way better than that.”
The Valkyries were ice cold from the 3-point line, hitting a season-low 5-of-30 shots from deep. They came into the game leading the league in 3-pointers made (184) and 3-point percentage (36.4%).
They couldn't stop the Aces' star-studded offense as the home team shot 62% from the field and 46% from the 3-point line.
Zandalasini had another solid game, scoring 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Kaitlyn Chen added 11 points and Gabby Williams and Laeticia Amihere each had 10.
No other player had more than seven points.
NorCal native Chelsea Gray had 15 points and nine assists. A'ja Wilson had 19 points and nine rebounds while Jackie Young led the Aces in scoring with 21 points.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said the team playing their fourth game in seven days changed the substitution patterns for Sunday’s game.
“They maximized their efforts in the first two, and actually even in the third one. So for me it’s about explaining to them that the shortest stints are going to happen, but then how can you guys be very impactful in those in those shorter stints,” Nakase said.
The Valkyries stayed with the defending champions up until the midway point of the second quarter.
After a bucket from Kiah Stokes cut the Aces' lead to one at the 6:35 mark, Las Vegas went on to go on a 21-2 run to close the half.
A barrage of buckets from Gray and Young cut up the Valkyries' defense as Golden State went into the halftime break down 50-30. The Valkyries made just one of their 15 3-point attempts in the first half and were outscored 27-13 in the second quarter.
Williams opened the third quarter with an impressive steal-and-score – a play that looked like it set the tone for the Valkyries to open the second half.
But the final 20 minutes were much more of the same.
The Aces won the third quarter by eight points and cruised to an easy win as Nakase emptied her bench early in the fourth quarter.
With back-to-back losses to Minnesota and Las Vegas, the Valkyries are 0-4 against the top two teams in the league. They will enter a three-game homestand, starting with a game against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday.
Burton struggles
For the second straight game, starting point guard Veronica Burton struggled to get going.
The reigning most improved player of the year scored two points in 16 minutes on 1-of-5 shooting from the field. She missed all three of her 3-point shot attempts.
Against the Lynx on Friday, Burton had just eight points on 3-of-8 shooting.
“She had heavy, heavy minutes these first three games,” Nakase said. :Health is the priority to walk away from these four games in seven days, and we did that because we’re facing a team that had three days rest compared to our four four and seven.”
Jocytė still progressing
The Valkyries are clearly taking their time with rookie Justė Jocytė.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said the team is transitioning Jocytė to becoming a point guard – a role she hasn't played before.
Jocytė got in garbage time minutes in the fourth quarter when the game became out of reach for the Valkyries.
Nakase said the 20-year-old Lithuanian has been adjusting to the role change well and complimented her for learning on the fly.
“I need her to be prepared for the physicality and the pace of the W," Nakase said before Sunday's game. "It’s physical and also I want her to be in the best shape so I don’t set her up for an injury as well. … So it’s understanding that not everyone has the same timeline, and I love that Justė has been very patient. But she’s learning so much in terms of the point guard position.”
Hayes gives good minutes
Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes opened the game strong off the bench.
She scored all seven of her points in the first three minutes she was on the floor and provided a spark for the Valkyries in the firs quarter.
Hayes, 36, has been a rotation regular in the last few weeks. Nakase commended her along with Zandalasini and Williams for maximizing their minutes in the last few weeks.
“I thought they maximize those, those stints from what I saw because we’re putting a lot on them in terms of making the decisions in those situations and being in the spots we were getting,” Nakase said.
Hayes was helped to the locker room late in the third quarter after taking an elbow from Jewell Lloyd while fighting for a rebound. She did not return.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 3:18 PM.