For the final three highway video games, the shorthanded Valkyries discovered a option to pull out wins on their tenacity and execution.
However in opposition to a workforce as star-studded because the Las Vegas Aces, the Valkyries‘ hustle and grit wasn’t sufficient.
After falling to the Minnesota Lynx by 53 factors at residence on nationwide tv on Saturday, the Aces bounced again to crush the Valkyries 101-77 on Sunday behind a scorching taking pictures afternoon at Michelob ULTRA Area.
Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles the ball in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces on Aug. 3, 2025 at Michelob ULTRA Area in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by David Becker/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
There weren’t many optimistic takeaways within the loss because the Valkyries have been dominated from begin to end.
The Aces made 18-of-40 photographs from the 3-point line and totaled 50 bench factors. Las Vegas held Golden State to 34.2% taking pictures from the sphere.
Iliana Rupert led the Valkyries with 17 factors. Carla Leite and Laeticia Amihere every had 14 factors.
Aces star and reigning MVP A’ja Wilson recorded a double-double with 14 factors and 14 rebounds to associate with 4 steals and a block. Jewell Loyd got here off the bench and scored 27 factors, which included hitting 7-of-11 photographs from past the arc.
“We just came out so flat and that was a problem,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase stated. “They came out hot, so credit to the Aces. They did a great job moving the ball. They stayed spaced and they found jewel for the hot hand.”
Golden State suited up simply 9 gamers for the third straight recreation as Tiffany Hayes (left leg), Cecilia Zandalasini, Kayla Thornton (proper knee) and Monique Billings (proper ankle) have been unavailable for Sunday’s recreation.
Golden State ended its five-game highway journey 3-2.
“When you when you lose like the Aces did yesterday, they’re going to come back. They’re going to be hungry. They will fight even more,” Rupert stated. “From the jump, they were more aggressive. You could see it. And, you know, we also had to be more ready for that.”
The Aces seemed poised to avenge Saturday’s loss as they ended the primary quarter with a 13-point lead. Las Vegas shot 56.3% from the sphere and hit 3-of-6 3s within the first interval because the Valkyries struggled to get something going offensively.
The Aces blew the sport open within the second quarter.
Las Vegas held the Valkyries to 25 first-half factors because the highway workforce shot 26.5% from the sphere and 11.8% from the 3-point line. The Valkyries had six first-half turnovers, which included three shot clock violations.
Frustrations began to boil over towards the tip of the half when Janelle Salaün was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the sport after shoulder checking Loyd. Salaün is the primary participant in franchise historical past to earn an ejection and is the seventh participant to be thrown out of a recreation this season.
Nakase stated she didn’t see the play, however believed Salaün doing something to hurt one other participant can be out of character for the French rookie.
“She usually doesn’t do anything, so now I’m very concerned whether it really was flagrant,” Nakase stated. “When they called a Flagrant 2, I was like, ‘Ja is not that type of player.’ I’m going to have to go back and look at it.”
Aces ahead Kierstan Bell hit a buzzer-beating mid-range jumper on the finish of the second quarter to place Las Vegas up 50-25 on the halftime break.
The second half was extra of the identical.
The house workforce constructed their result in as huge 28 and didn’t let off the gasoline. Lloyd scored 14 factors within the second half because the Aces cruised to a blowout win.
Whereas the Aces had one among their finest taking pictures nights of the season, Amihere believes the Valkyries made too many errors on protection.
“I think we had a lot of mental lapses,” Amihere stated. “We’ve been able to adjust in a good manner. So, I think just a lot of mental lapses made the game go away from us.”
The Valkyries will see the Aces once more of their subsequent recreation at residence on Wednesday.
Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles the ball in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces on Aug. 3, 2025 at Michelob ULTRA Area in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by David Becker/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
Initially Printed: August 3, 2025 at 1:05 PM PDT
