SAN FRANCISCO — The Valkyries have been helpless in opposition to A’ja Wilson.
“A’ja is fearless,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase mentioned. “A’ja wants the big moments. She wants the ball and knows how to get to her spots.”
Janelle Salaün had 13 factors, three rebounds and three assists. Kaila Charles got here off the bench and scored 11 factors and grabbed 4 rebounds.
The Valkyries had their third-worst taking pictures night time of the season from past the arc (4-for-22) and had a season-low 9 assists.
Nakase mentioned she wasn’t involved in regards to the low variety of assists, saying the group had open layups.
Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) takes a shot in opposition to The Las Vegas Aces’ NaLyssa Smith (3) within the first quarter on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Golden State obtained off to a a lot better begin than they did on Sunday. The Valkyries went down simply 5 at halftime utilizing a balanced scoring assault.
The Valkyries held a seven-point lead at one level within the second quarter, however 14 factors from Wilson stored the Aces forward.
Golden State stayed with the Aces into the third quarter, however fell behind by as a lot as 10 as Wilson continued to torch Golden State’s protection.
“The most important thing was to play defense tonight and we didn’t,” Salaün mentioned. “We didn’t rebound the ball. And that was the most important thing. Whether our fall shots fall or not, we have to be consistent on defense.”
The Valkyries clawed their means again into the sport within the fourth as Leite and Salaün carried the offense. However the Aces have been an excessive amount of as they obtained to the road at will and outscored Golden State 18-14 within the fourth quarter.
Salaün fouled out with 1:38 left within the recreation.
The Valkyries will host former Stanford star Cameron Brink on Saturday when the Los Angeles Sparks come to city.
Listed here are the most important takeaways from Wednesday’s loss:
Return of Hayes, Zandalasini
Hayes and Zandalasini returned to the beginning lineup and added a a lot wanted enhance to the depleted Valkyries after lacking the final three video games.
The 2 mixed for 21 factors on 6-of-18 taking pictures.
Hayes supplied the Valkyries with one other attacking playmaker, attending to the rim to create for herself and others. She wasn’t afraid to problem Wilson within the paint and made a artful off-handed layup over the reigning MVP within the second quarter.
Zandalasini struggled within the first half, however the specter of her exterior shot did sufficient for the Aces to proceed to chase her on off-ball screens.
The Golden State Valkyries huddles after a recreation in opposition to The Las Vegas Aces on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Zone look
Nakase threw out a number of zone seems to be on the Aces all through Wednesday’s recreation.
After Wilson scored six factors via the primary jiffy of the primary quarter, the Valkyries went to a 2-3 zone to drive the Aces to shoot lengthy perimeter pictures. Nakase additionally used an prolonged 1-2-2 look to place stress on guards Chelsea Grey and Jackie Younger.
The zone protection created some hesitation from the Aces because the Valkyries created three first-half turnovers.
The Valkyries went away from the defensive scheme within the second half after Las Vegas made changes, however the zone proved to be a glance the Valkyries can throw at gamers like Wilson to momentarily sluggish them down.
“I think they were pump faking us and I was trying to tell our girls to stay on their feet,” Nakase mentioned about how the Aces broke down their zone. “I think we got a little happy feet at times. Overall, I thought the zone was actually really successful.”
The Las Vegas Aces’ head coach Becky Hammon prepares to speak to her group throughout a recreation in opposition to the The Golden State Valkyries within the fourth quarter on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Do the Valkyries have to make a commerce?
With Thursday’s deadline quick approaching, Wednesday’s recreation made it clear: The Valkyries have holes of their lineup.
Whereas the Valkyries have gotten up to now on their grit and execution, they’ve struggled to beat groups with elite stage expertise. In opposition to the Aces, New York York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury, the Valkyries are 1-10.
Since All-Star Kayla Thornton went down for the remainder of the season with a knee damage, the Valkyries have struggled to seek out constant scoring. In opposition to the Aces, the Valkyries used a balanced assault, however went lengthy stretches and not using a basket.
With backup middle Monique Billings out for a minimum of the subsequent two weeks with an ankle damage, the Valkyries may use some frontcourt assist to complement Iliana Rupert and Temi Fágbénlé.
If the Valkyries wish to make a push for the postseason, an improve on the roster may be vital to take action.
Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) dribbles the ball in opposition to The Las Vegas Aces’ Jewell Loyd (24) within the first quarter on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Initially Printed: August 6, 2025 at 3:37 PM PDT
