Las Vegas Aces Brianna Turner (21) tries to pass after a rebound defended by Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) and Kiah Stokes (41) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

By Michael Roberson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Golden State Valkyries (5-3) received a second half beatdown, 91-81 from the defending champion Las Vegas Aces (5-3) in the City by the Bay Sunday at Chase Center.

The Aces got on the board first to begin the contest. After that, there were four ties and three lead changes within the first ten minutes of the game. Gabby Williams (8) and Jackie Young (7) led their respective teams to a two point first quarter finish, with the home team up by two, 23-21.

The second stanza produced two additional ties and nine lead changes. However, the margin after two quarters was the same two points, but in the reciprocal form with the visitors in the lead, 43-41.

At the half, Williams (10) was the Golden State player in double-figures, while the Aces had two hoopers. A’ja Wilson scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and teammate Jackie Young added ten points.

The second half would be all Aces, which would be awesome in many card games, but the Sin City team parlayed that into an 18-point lead during the third period, and as much as 24 in the fourth quadrant.

Despite those vast leads, the Valkyries continued to fight back. Williams continued to lead the way for Golden State (12) in the third quarter, but the defending champs were keeping the team by the Bay at bay at that point in time. After 30 minutes of WNBA action, the Valkyries trailed by 18 points, 72-54.

Despite being behind by three touchdowns and a field goal, the Valkyries displayed strong pride and cut the deficit to single digits multiple times late in the game. Even with thal valiant effort, Las Vegas eventually won the game by 10 points, 91-81.

Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 20 points, while Janelle Salaun offered 16 points, and Kayla Thornton put up 12 points. The Ace were led by superstar A’ja Wilson’s 28 points and 15 rebounds. Jackie Young contributed 23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while NaLyssa Smith chipped in 15 points and nine rebounds.. Stephanie Talbot also tallied ten points and seven rebounds.

The victory for the Aces evened both teams’ records (5-3) and maybe previewed an eventual playoffs battle in the future.

The Valkyries will next be in action Tuesday, June 2, as they host the expansion Portland Fireat & PM PT on KMAX/KPIX+. The Aces will head down to Southern California, on the same date, taking on the Sparks at 7 PM PT on The Spot.