A‘ja Wilson delivered an impressive performance, scoring 34 points to lead the Las Vegas Aces to a narrow 104-102 victory over the Golden State Valkyries.
Jackie Young contributed significantly with 30 points, including the team’s last 10 points. The game was tied at 94 with just under two minutes left when Young took control, scoring on five consecutive possessions for Las Vegas.
Young’s decisive plays included a mid-range jumper and a driving layup, pushing the score to 98-94. She then secured the win by making two free throws on each of the Aces’ next three possessions. Despite Young’s efforts, the Valkyries stayed competitive with late three-pointers from Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes, narrowing the gap to 102-100.
Wilson, who had been dealing with a wrist injury earlier in the week, made a strong comeback. She successfully converted 12 of her 16 shots and nine out of twelve free throws while also grabbing 16 rebounds. Her performance was crucial in maintaining the Aces’ edge throughout the game.
The Valkyries had all five starters scoring in double digits. Hayes and Janelle Salaun led with 16 points each. Temi Fagbenle added 13 points, Veronica Burton scored 11, and Kayla Thornton contributed 10 points. Zandalasini provided a spark off the bench with her 12-point contribution.
Ariel Atkins was instrumental in leading the Chicago Sky to an 87-81 win against the Minnesota Lynx in their series opener. Atkins scored an impressive 27 points and hit a crucial pull-up jump shot from 19 feet with just over two minutes remaining. This victory marked Chicago’s second consecutive win after dropping their previous two games.
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso were key contributors for Chicago as well. Reese recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Cardoso added another with her own tally of 17 points and an impressive career-high of 15 rebounds. Their efforts helped Chicago dominate on the boards with a significant rebounding advantage.
Napheesa Collier stood out for Minnesota despite their loss, contributing significantly with her all-around performance of 26 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks. However, Minnesota struggled offensively as they shot only about thirty-nine percent from the field and faced a deficit as large as fifteen points during the game.
Minnesota has now lost two out of their last three games after starting strong this season with only two losses in their first nineteen matches. The teams will face each other again soon as Chicago hosts Minnesota once more on Monday.