Golden State moves one win away from the WNBA Finals after a thrilling 83-81 victory over the Las Vegas Aces.
The roar inside the arena reached a fever pitch as Veronica Burton stood at the perimeter with less than a minute on the clock. She launched a deep 3-pointer that found nothing but net, putting Golden State ahead with 41 seconds remaining. Moments later. after a defensive stand. Burton iced the 83-81 win by sinking two free throws. pushing the Valkyries to a 2-0 series lead over the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday night.
For the defending champions, the season is now hanging by a thread. Las Vegas struggled to chip away at a deficit that saw them trailing 66-55 entering the final quarter. Despite a gritty comeback effort—highlighted by a Chelsea Gray jumper at the 4:46 mark to pull within 73-68. followed by a Dana Evans 3-pointer and a game-tying triple from Gray with 2:10 remaining—the Aces could not complete the rally.
Tiffany Hayes led the offensive charge for the Valkyries with 21 points, while Gabby Williams contributed 20 points and five rebounds. Kayla Thornton added 16 points to the effort, keeping the team in control throughout most of the contest. On the opposing side. A’ja Wilson posted 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. but it wasn’t enough to overcome the home-court intensity.
The final seconds were chaotic. After Jackie Young missed the second of two free throws with six seconds left, Chelsea Gray snatched the rebound and drove under the basket for what could have been the tying layup. Kiah Stokes swatted the attempt away, and Burton secured the ball to seal the outcome.
This victory places the Valkyries—now in only their second season—one win away from their first WNBA Finals appearance. Having become the first expansion team in league history to reach the playoffs in an inaugural season last year. the franchise is now positioned to eliminate the league’s perennial powerhouse.
Becky Hammon had emphasized the necessity of splitting the first two games before traveling home. but that goal slipped away in the closing minutes of Game 2. As the series moves to Las Vegas for Friday’s Game 3. the Aces face a must-win scenario to keep their hopes of a repeat title alive. Golden State’s efficiency in crunch time was epitomized by the shot-clock violation that returned the ball to their possession at the 1:01 mark. setting the stage for Burton’s decisive basket—her only field goal of the evening.
WNBA Valkyries Aces Veronica Burton A'ja Wilson basketball playoffs Golden State