Golden State Valkryies Veronica Burton (22) takes the ball up the floor against the Las Vegas Aces in game 2 round 2 of the WNBA semi finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Oct 7, 2026
By Michael Villanueva
SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Valkyries take Game 2 of the WNBA Semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces, 83-81. After winning games 1 and 2, the series is now 2-0, and the Valkyries are one win away from their first trip to the WNBA Finals in franchise history. The Valkyries held a 17-point lead, but the Aces didn’t back down and were in Ballhalla. However, in the final minutes, the Valkyries were able to hang on and get the win, 83-81.
Las Vegas added a new face to their starting lineup with A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Brianna Turner, and Stephanie Talbot. After missing Game 1, Stephanie Talbot has been listed as active. Talbot has been out since August 27th due to a left leg injury. However, Talbot was cleared and ready to play.
As for Golden State, they didn’t change their starters and went with Kayla Thornton, Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini, Kiah Stokes, and Gabby Williams. Williams led the team with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Valkyries dominated the rebound game in their Game 1 victory; Golden State finished with 52 total rebounds over Las Vegas’ 25.
Valkyries Kayla Thornton gets the game going with a deep three-pointer, having Golden State strike first in Game 2 of the Semifinals. Golden State would hold Las Vegas scoreless for the first two minutes until Chelsea Gray made a three-pointer and gave the Aces their first points of the night. Valkyries Kayla Thornton would get another three-pointer to go in, her second one in the first five minutes of the game. The score halfway through the first quarter would be 10-5.
By the end of the first quarter, Golden State is up and holding the lead at 19-11. The Valkyries are still winning the rebound battle over the Aces; Golden State has 8 rebounds compared to Las Vegas’ 4. Also, Valkyries Kayla Thornton still hasn’t missed a shot from beyond the arc, going 2-of-2. Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson were the only players to score for the Aces.
Tiffany Hayes for Golden State started the second quarter scoring 5 straight points for them. Hayes ‘ 5-point eruption pushed the Valkyries’ lead to 13 points, 26-13. Hayes wasn’t showing any signs of slowing down; she would have 10 points in 3 minutes. At the midpoint of the second quarter, Valkyries still held a 13-point lead, 34-21.
Two back-to-back shooting fouls on Golden State, which Las Vegas quickly took advantage of. The Aces brought the lead down to single digits, a 9-point lead, 39-30. However, Thornton would strike again and make her third three-pointer of the night, and she remains shooting perfectly from deep. At the end of the first half, Valkyries held the lead by 11 points, 42-31.
Starting the third quarter, the Aces would come out ready and score 5 points in their first two possessions. They were able to bring the lead back within single digits, but the Valkyries’ shooting woke up. Valkyries Gabby Williams would make a 27-foot three-pointer to push the lead back to double digits for Golden State, 52-39.
Four minutes left of the third, Tiffany Hayes subs back in, and within 30 seconds of her playing, she would drop 4 points in that time span. Hayes would have 16 points and 2 steals with twelve minutes of game time left. On a positive note for the Aces, A’ja Wilson would drop 14 points in the third quarter, trying all her efforts to get Las Vegas back in the game. However, Golden State has led the entire time of this game.
Going into the final quarter of Game 2, the score was 66-55; the Valkyries were holding an 11-point lead on the Aces. Aces Jackie Young would get it going with a three-pointer, but the Valkyries responded with Kaitlyn Chen getting back-to-back layups to go in. Golden State would have a hard time containing Wilson down in the post, and she was able to get some shots to go in for her and the Aces. She would be able to cut the lead to 6 points, 70-64.
In the final four minutes of the game, each possession deeply mattered for both of these teams. The Aces were down as much as 17 and were now down by 5 points, 73-68. Then, with two minutes left, Las Vegas would make back-to-back three-pointers and tie the game, 74-74. Right after, Aces took their first lead of the night with A’ja Wilson getting a layup to go in, but Valkyries Williams responded with a midrange jumper.
One minute left, tied basketball game, 76-76. Valkyries Veronica Burton would make a big three-pointer to give Golden State their lead back, 79-76. That was the team’s 10th three-pointer of the night. Now, with nine seconds left on the clock, the Aces are down by three with the ball. Gray gets fouled, and since Las Vegas is in the bonus, Gray is sent to the free-throw line and makes both of her shots.
Gray brought the score 79-78, Valkyries holding a 1 point lead. The Aces had no choice but to foul the Valkyries; Kayla Thornton would shoot both of the free throws and make them. The score is now 81-78, so Las Vegas called their final timeout with one last shot to tie the game. Valkyries Burton would foul Aces Jackie Young, sending Young to the free-throw line, and Young made both of them, bringing the score to 81-80.
In the final possession of the game, Aces Jackie Young got sent to the free-throw line. Young would make the first one, but miss the second one. Her missing the second free-throw shot gave Las Vegas one more chance to tip it back in on the miss. However, the Valkyries were able to hang on and secure the rebound on Young’s miss and win the game.
Golden State Valkyries Tiffany Hayes had 21 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in their win. Games 3 and 4 will head to Las Vegas, Nevada, as the Valkyries will take on the Aces in their home. Game 3 will be on Friday, October 9th, at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on Peacock and NBCSN.
