Golden State Valkyries defeat Las Vegas Aces 71-60 to take Game 1 of WNBA semifinals

Gabby Williams posted 25 points, 11 rebounds and five assists as the Golden State Valkyries captured a 71-60 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday. Kiah Stokes added 14 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Valkyries, who built a halftime lead of 32-23.

A'ja Wilson scored 24 points and Chelsea Gray contributed 16 for the Aces, who were held to their lowest point total of the season. Guard Jewell Loyd left the game early in the third quarter with a left-leg injury and was listed as day-to-day by the team. Coach Becky Hammon said the loss was “one of our most atrocious games of the season” and emphasized that rebounding had been the decisive factor.

The win gave the Valkyries a 1-0 series lead as the best-of-five matchup moves to Game 2 on Wednesday at Chase Center. “The goal here is to win our home games, so yes we did well for the first game, but the Aces are championship-caliber,” Stokes said. “We need to come out on Wednesday and set the tone again.”

Golden State shot 37.7% from the field, while the Aces managed 33.9%. The Valkyries dominated the boards, out-rebounding Las Vegas 52-25, with Kayla Thornton pulling down 11 rebounds. Williams credited the rebounding effort, noting that Kiah Stokes and Kayla Thornton “really won this game for us.”

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, who had briefly left the bench during a previous game, returned to coach after a medical evaluation. Point guard Veronica Burton sat out part of the third quarter, and Kaitlyn Chen replaced her, scoring 11 points.

Golden State’s bench contributed nine points from newcomer Aminata Gueye, who signed with the team in September after playing in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The Aces were missing forward Stephanie Talbot, also sidelined with a left-leg injury.