The Aces vs Valkyries semifinal series has quickly become one of the most competitive matchups of the 2026 WNBA playoffs. The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 in Game 2 on October 8, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the WNBA semifinals.
Golden State built a 17-point advantage before Las Vegas fought back in the second half. The Aces even had the game within reach late, but a clutch three-pointer from Veronica Burton with 41 seconds remaining helped the Valkyries hold on.
Valkyries vs Aces Game 2 Result
The Valkyries game ended with Golden State securing an 83-81 victory at Chase Center in San Francisco.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | 11 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 81 |
| Golden State Valkyries | 19 | 23 | 24 | 17 | 83 |
Golden State controlled much of the first three quarters, but Las Vegas produced a major fourth-quarter rally. The Valkyries ultimately did enough at the finish to move two wins away from the WNBA Finals.
Tiffany Hayes Leads Golden State
Tiffany Hayes was the leading scorer for the Valkyries, finishing with 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting. She also made all eight of her free-throw attempts.
Hayes was one of several Golden State players who helped the team establish its early advantage. The Valkyries shot 41% from the field and made 10 of 29 three-point attempts.
Gabby Williams contributed three assists and played 30 minutes, while Veronica Burton delivered the biggest late-game moment with her clutch three-pointer.
A’ja Wilson Leads the Aces
The Las Vegas Aces were led by superstar A’ja Wilson, who scored 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Wilson’s performance kept Las Vegas within striking distance throughout the second half. The Aces also received eight assists from Jackie Young, who played 37 minutes.
Kiah Stokes led the Aces with seven rebounds, while Kalani Brown also grabbed eight boards.
Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries Match Player Stats
The key Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries match player stats from Game 2 included:
- A’ja Wilson: 24 points, 9-of-16 FG, 6-of-6 FT
- Tiffany Hayes: 21 points, 6-of-10 FG, 8-of-8 FT
- Jackie Young: 8 assists
- Kiah Stokes: 7 rebounds
- Kalani Brown: 8 rebounds
- Gabby Williams: 3 assists
- Veronica Burton: clutch late three-pointer
The Valkyries also won the rebounding battle 30-25, although the Aces had the better overall field-goal percentage at 44% compared with Golden State’s 41%.
Veronica Burton’s Clutch Shot Changes the Game
The defining moment of the aces vs valkyries matchup came late in the fourth quarter.
With only 41 seconds remaining, Veronica Burton knocked down a deep three-pointer that put Golden State in front. She then converted two free throws in the closing seconds as the Valkyries protected their narrow lead.
That sequence proved decisive as the Aces were unable to complete their comeback.
Aces vs Valkyries Timeline
The Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces timeline now shows a 2-0 Golden State advantage in the semifinal series.
- Game 1: Golden State defeated Las Vegas 71-60 on October 5.
- Game 2: Golden State defeated Las Vegas 83-81 on October 8.
- Game 3: Golden State travels to Las Vegas on October 10.
- Game 4: Scheduled for October 11 in Las Vegas, if necessary.
- Game 5: Scheduled for October 14 in Golden State, if necessary.
The LVA vs GSV series therefore heads to Las Vegas with the Valkyries needing just one more victory to reach the next stage.
Aces vs Valkyries Where to Watch
For fans searching aces vs valkyries where to watch, Game 2 was listed on Peacock and NBCSN. The next games in the series are scheduled to have NBC and Peacock coverage according to the provided schedule.
Fans looking for where to watch Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries should check the latest WNBA and network listings before tipoff because broadcast availability can vary by game and location.
Becky Hammon and the Aces Face a Tough Challenge
Becky Hammon and the Las Vegas Aces now face a difficult situation after falling behind 2-0. Las Vegas had a strong regular season, finishing 31-13, but Golden State has controlled the opening two semifinal games.
The Aces need to win Game 3 at home to keep the series alive. With players such as Wilson, Young and Stokes, Las Vegas has enough experience and talent to force the series deeper, but the margin for error is now extremely small.
Golden State Valkyries Continue Historic Run
The Golden State Valkyries improved to 32-12 with the Game 2 victory and now have a chance to close out the series in Las Vegas.
The team has received important contributions from Tiffany Hayes, Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, Stephanie Talbot, Kayla Thornton, Dana Evans, Kaitlyn Chen and Aminata Gueye throughout the season.
The Valkyries’ depth has become particularly important during the playoffs. Their ability to defend, rebound and hit timely shots has put the Vegas Aces under significant pressure.
What’s Next for the Aces and Valkyries?
Game 3 is the next major chapter in the valkyries schedule and the Aces WNBA playoff run. Golden State can eliminate Las Vegas with another victory, while the Aces must win to extend the series.
The Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries matchup has already delivered two dramatic games, and the pressure will only increase when the series moves to Las Vegas.
For the aces game ahead, all eyes will be on Wilson and the Aces’ response, while Golden State will look to maintain its momentum and complete a sweep.
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