Las Vegas Aces forward Jackie Young (0) takes a run on the floor against the Golden State Valkyries Janelle Salun (13) and Kalla Charles (6) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Jun 6, 2026 (Las Vegas X photo)

By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (7-3) won their game with the Golden State Valkyries (6-5) 84-79 after trailing with seconds left on the clock. In the third quarter each team scored 20 points and it was the fourth quarter that closed this game out for the Aces.

This game was uncomfortably close with 38 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter. The Aces pushed back took the lead 82-79. A’Ja Wilson closed this game out with two free throws for the final score of 84-79.

Game recap: The Aces took a 20-13 lead in the first ten minutes of play. The Valkyries made up some of the difference in the second quarter outscoring the Aces 22-18 in the second quarter. At the half it was a very close game with Las Vegas leading 38-35.

This game could not have been any closer as the third quarter came to an end. Each team had scored 20 points in the quarter with the Aces still hanging onto a three-point lead 58-55. It was anyone’s game going into the fourth quarter.

Las Vegas led by as much as 12 points in this game but the tenacious Valkyries refused to go away fighting back for the entire game. The Aces outscored Golden State in the fourth quarter 26-24 winning the game 84-79.

The difference in this game was A’Ja Wilson and Jackie Young. Wilson had a double double scoring 28 points with 14 rebounds. This was her third consecutive double- double and her fifth this season. Jackie Young really rose to the occasion scoring 27 points and was red-hot from beyond the arc hitting six of eight shots.

This was their first home win this season. Chelsea Gray had a terrific game scoring 12 points, with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. The Aces have now won three games in a row; they have really started to play some great ball. This is the Aces second win over the Valkyries beating them last Sunday in San Francisco the score 91-81.

Las Vegas was without Chennedy Carter who missed her second consecutive game with a left leg and hip injury. She collided with an opposing player in a game with the Valkyries in San Francisco last Sunday causing her to fall on her hip.

Carter has been nothing short of amazing and the team really needs her. It was hinted that she would return last week against the Sparks but it didn’t happen. There has been no announced timeline for the return of Carter but it hopefully will be in the near future.

The Valkyries are currently in seventh place in the standings and they got some great work from Gabby Williams who scored 27 points. Veronica Burton scored 15 points and Kayla Thornton got so close to a double-double with ten points and nine rebounds. The Valkyries will continue to nip at the heels of the Aces, the Dream and the Wings. They had an amazing inaugural season and look to be even better this season.

Game notes: The Aces are having a solid season and right now they are sitting in second place tied with the Dallas Wings in the Western Conference. The Golden State Valkyries are in fourth place a game and a half behind the Aces.

Saturday’s matchup with the Golden State Valkyries had all the makings of a very competitive game. The Valkyries Gabby Williams 28 points and Veronica Burton 15 points . On the other hand the Valkyries dealt with the incomparable A’Ja Wilson who led Vegas with 28 points as well as Jackie Young 27 points and Chelsea Gray with 12 points. This game was decided by five points as the Aces stayed ahead of the Valkyries on Saturday.

Next up for the Aces will be a matchup with the Seattle Storm at home Monday night. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM. With such a quick turnaround chances are that the Aces will not be seeing Chennedy Carter as they await her return to the court.