Valkyries Win on Violet’s Birthday over Chicago Sky, 91-71

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Golden State Valkyries’ Tiffany Hayes, front, steals the ball from Chicago Sky’s Gabriela Jacquez in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (Photo credit Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – Wednesday night was not just any ordinary night in Ballhalla. The Golden State Valkyries honored and celebrated their mascot Violet’s birthday. So the Valkyries wanted to get this win for Violet and extend their winning streak to five games, and they did. The Valkyries hosted the Chicago Sky and won by 20 points, 91-71.

Golden State Valkyries were riding a four-game winning streak but lost two key players who have been a huge part of the Valkyries’ success this season. The team lost Janelle Salaun (right knee) and Kiah Stokes (Concussion protocol) for this home game, with their return still questionable. So Golden State sent out guards Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, forwards Cecilia Zandalasini, Kayla Thornton, and center Laeticia Amihere.

Chicago came into Ballhalla riding a two-game losing streak, with their most recent loss to Seattle at the Storm’s home, with the final score being 97-88. Sky also announced yesterday that the team would play without their guard Sydney Taylor (groin). So Chicago went with guards Courtney Vandersloot, Jacy Sheldon, forwards Natasha Cloud, Azura Stevens, and center Kamilla Cardoso.

Chicago Sky Natasha Cloud would get the first bucket of the game, going inside the paint for a quick lay-up. Then, after another made jump shot from Sky, Golden State Valkyries Veronica Burton hits a 27-foot three-pointer to give Golden State their first basket. Chicago has gone 6-for-9 and has taken an early 7-point lead. Sky is relying heavily on their midrange shots, and those shots are falling for them.

At the end of the 1st quarter, Sky found their offensive rhythm fast and collected nine team assists in the first ten minutes of play. The lead would extend for the Valkyries by eight points, 24-16. Chicago’s early offensive success was huge for Sky since they’ve seen season struggles on the road. Sky has gone 4-12 on the road, and the team uses 16 players, which is the 2nd most in the WNBA.

In the second quarter, it was a huge turnaround for the Golden State Valkyries. After just dropping 16 points in the 1st, the Valkyries would drop 27 points in the 2nd quarter alone. Valkyries Tiffany Hayes had a big contribution to that, coming off the bench. She also got help from her teammate, Gabby Williams. Their hustle and determination were necessary to take over this game. They both would drop 6 points each in this quarter.

At the end of the 2nd quarter, Golden State would hold the lead over Chicago at 43-40. Sky was only able to drop 16 points, compared to the hot start they had in the 1st when they dropped 24 points on the Valkyries. After that, the Valkyries took advantage of their home court and just locked in on their offensive plan, and their defense was starting to become a problem for Chicago.

Going into the 3rd quarter, we saw the Valkyries continue from where they left off in the 2nd quarter and just keep giving Chicago a hard time in Chase Center. This quarter would be another huge scoring quarter for Golden State, as this time, the team dropped 29 points in the 3rd. Again, Valkyries Tiffany Hayes had her foot on the gas the entire game, and really in the 3rd quarter. Hayes showed her mobility and athleticism as she kept attacking the basket and was getting sent to the free throw line because Chicago’s only response to stopping her was just fouling her.

Heading into the final quarter, it was all smooth sailing for Golden State. With Chicago struggling to get any points for themselves, the Valkyries’ defense was also a factor in that. Golden State would finish the game with 16 steals on Chicago. As the game clock would wind down, Golden State would get the win by 20 points at home, with the final score being 91-71. Tiffany Hayes would lead Golden State while coming off the bench with her 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. This was all done in less than 20 minutes, 17 minutes to be exact.

The Valkyries are gonna get a five-day rest before they return to action in Ballhalla. Golden State will host the Dallas Wings on Monday night, August 17th, with tip-off being at 7 p.m. Dallas is currently in 4th place in the Western Conference division. The game will be broadcast live on Peacock.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Hicks Takes Over as Two-Out Trouble Sinks A’s 8-4

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Tampa Bay Rays Liam Hicks looks on after being tagged out at the plate by Sacramento A’s catcher Brian Serven (not pictured) in the top of the third inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Maurcio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics kept Tampa Bay within reach for three innings, then watched the Rays turn a one-run game into a steep climb. Things are not changing for this Sacramento temporarily anchored ballclub. Liam Hicks’ three-run homer capped a four-run fourth inning and pushed Tampa Bay past the A’s 8-4, despite late solo homers from Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler.

Jack Perkins escaped the first without allowing a run despite Hicks’ two-out double that sent Junior Caminero to third. The second was different. Jonny DeLuca opened with a double, Cedric Mullins beat out a bunt single, and Richie Palacios drove in DeLuca with a single to left. Taylor Walls moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt, and Mullins scored when Yandy Díaz reached on a fielder’s choice that included a fielding error by Perkins. Jonathan Aranda then grounded into a double play, limiting Tampa Bay to two runs.

The Rays added another run in the third when Caminero singled, Hicks followed with a base hit and Mullins doubled home Caminero. Hicks tried to score on the play, but Carlos Cortes started a relay through Donovan Walton to Brian Serven, who recorded the out at the plate. That defensive play mattered moments later.

In the bottom half, Walton was hit by a pitch and Gelof singled before Cortes drove a double into right. Both runners scored, cutting Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-2 and giving the A’s their best chance to turn the game around.

Tampa Bay answered immediately, scoring all of its fourth-inning runs with two outs. Díaz singled, Aranda followed with another hit, and Caminero brought Díaz home with a single to left. Hicks then changed the shape of the game with a three-run homer to right-center, scoring Aranda and Caminero for a 7-2 advantage.

Perkins finished five innings after DeLuca doubled again in the fifth but was left stranded. The right-hander allowed 12 hits and seven runs. His outing continued a difficult stretch that had already included an eight-game losing streak entering the start, while A’s starters carried a 6.62 ERA in August before the game. The club’s pitching staff also entered with a 5.49 season ERA, the highest in the majors.

The Athletics’ bullpen gave the offense a chance to chip away. Drew Rom retired all three batters he faced in the sixth, Scott Blewett worked around DeLuca’s single and stolen base in the seventh, and Seth Johnson handled a scoreless ninth. Hayden Juenger allowed Tampa Bay’s final run in the eighth when Palacios drew a walk, Walls singled and Díaz drove in Palacios with a base hit.

The A’s finally found the seats in the bottom of the eighth. Gelof hit his 13th homer to left-center, and after Cortes struck out, Butler added his ninth to right-center. The two solo shots made it 8-4, but Michael Grove stopped the inning there and Tampa Bay retired the side in order in the ninth.

Gelof’s day also carried a bigger streak. He entered with a 23-game home hitting streak, already the second-longest by an Athletic in the expansion era behind Carney Lansford’s 30-game run in 1984, and his third-inning single pushed it to 24. Tyler Soderstrom also extended his hitting streak to ten games with a first-inning double. He had already posted two other ten-game streaks this season, making him the first Athletic with three streaks of at least ten games in one season since Jay Payton in 2006.

After a Thursday breather, the A’s welcome the Rangers on Friday at 6:40 p.m. Pacific, with ESPN currently listing Kumar Rocker (4-9, 4.46 ERA, 103 K) opposite Gage Jump (5-7, 4.46 ERA, 84 K), although MLB still has both starters officially marked TBD.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Offense, bullpen and defense blow six shutout innings by Houser, and Astros top Giants 2-1 for series win

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Houston Allen Nick Allen (20) is tagged out in a rundown by San Francisco Giants shortstop Osleivis Basabe (39) in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Aug 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Houston Astros 2 (62-60)

San Francisco Giants 1 (50-71)

Win: Steven Okert (6-1)

Loss: Keaton Winn (2-3)

Save: Josh Hader (16)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 28,101

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Adrian Houser gave up just two hits over six shutout innings in his first start in two months, but he only got one run in offensive support. The Giants’ bullpen and defense then faltered, as the Astros scored runs in the seventh and eighth to beat the Giants 2-1, and take the series Wednesday.

Adrian Houser took the ball for his first start since the rains limited him to just an inning during the suspended game in Cobb County on June 16. The Giants turned to him, as they looked to play spoilers, and take this series over the American League West-leading Astros, who came into Wednesday’s game a half game up on the Texas Rangers.

Houser opened up the day with a one, two, theee, inning in the top of the first. Now, it was up to the Giants’ offense to give him some support.

Joe Espada went with an opener on this getaway day, and that would be the lefty, Bryan King. After a pair of walks, Espada went to Enyel De Los Santos with two outs in the bottom of the first. Victor Bericoto was at the plate, and flipped a base-hit to left field. Willy Adames came in to score, and the Giants struck first.

Houser ended up retiring the first nine men he faced Wednesday. The Giants wasted an opportunity against Tasuya Imai in the bottom of the second, and Imai threw a one, two, three, inning in the bottom of the third.

The second time through the order started off a little bit different for Houser, as he survived a jam in the top of the fourth. He then settled back down for a one, two, three, top of the fifth.

Nick Allen singled to lead off the top of the sixth, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Christian Vazquez. Jeremy Pena then hit a ground ball to short, and Allen was caught in a rundown before being tagged out. Pena thought he would try and sneak into second base, but he was thrown out by a mile. For those of you interested, it was a 6-5-4-5 double play, with third-baseman Christian Koss tagging Pena out at second base.

That was an interesting and nice way to end Houser’s afternoon. Houser was good today, as he gave up just two hits, and walked just one over six shutout innings. He struck out five.

Unfortunately, the Giants’ offense couldn’t really do anything against a whole assortment of Astros’ relievers. That meant this 1-0 lead was in the hands of the Giants’ bullpen, which already blew a ninth inning lead on Monday night.

Sam Hentges was the man for the seventh inning, and Yordan Alvarez led off the top of the seventh with a base-hit. It was easy to guess that the Giants’ bullpen was going to blow it, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate.

Paredes hit a ground ball right to short that was literally tailor made. Unfortunately, Adames just lobbed a throw over to second to get the lead runner, Alvarez, which allowed Paredes to beat out the back end at first.

Daulton Varsho then hit a fly ball to left, but Victor Bericoto lost it in the sun, and dropped it, which got Paredes over to third. Tony Vitello then brought in Keaton Winn to face Nelson Velazquez, who tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center.

Amazingly, only one run scored through that debacle of an inning. All I can say is that things like this happen when a team is having a bad season. That inning was just another clip for the 2026 San Francisco Giants lowlight reel.

After our old friend, Steven Okert, who pitched for the Giants from 2016 to 2018, set down the Giants one, two, three in the bottom of the seventh, Winn was back out for the eighth. However, Willy Adames was not after his lob to second base in the top of the seventh. According to Vitello, Adames was pulled due to a back issue.

Anyway, the Astros predictably took the lead, and it only took them four pitches to do so. Taylor Trammel led off the inning with a triple, and Nick Allen immediately got him in with a sacrifice fly.

Bryan Abreu threw for a one, two, three inning, in bottom of the eighth, and the Giants were up against Josh Hader in the ninth. With one out, Christian Koss gave one a ride to left with one out, but Yordan Alvarez had it right at the wall. Jung Hoo Lee then grounded out to second to end the game. Yes, it was a one, two, three, inning, but I guess that Koss’ long fly ball could count as a whimper.

Steven Okert got the win; Keaton Winn took the loss; and Josh Hader picked up the save.

The Giants are now 50-71, and they are just two games ahead of where they were through 121 games in their 98-loss season of 2017. The Giants were 48-73 after 121 games after 2017. I’ll say it again: it has been a bad season for the Giants.

The Colorado Rockies will come in for the third and final leg of the lone three-team homestand for the Giants this season. The Giants will get to enjoy a day off Thursday, and then they will get underway against the Rockies on Friday night.

Starting pitchers for Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (3-10 ERA 6.63) for San Francisco Landen Roupp (7-11 ERA 4.22)

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Baseball America ranks Giants’ farm system as fourth-best:

As rough as this season has been, it has come with its positives. One of those being that the draft and the trade deadline have bolted the Giants’ farm system to the fourth-best in the eyes of Baseball America.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Notebook–First Spanish Radio Broadcast of Major League Baseball in the Bay Area

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Amaury Pi Gonzalez calling the play by play on KBRG 105.3 FM in 1977 at the Oakland Coliseum radio booth (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

From My Notebook: First Spanish Radio Broadcast of Major League Baseball in the Bay Area —

By Amaury Pi-González

In 1978, the first Spanish radio broadcasts of Major League Baseball in the Bay Area were on KBRG 105.3 FM, Radio San Francisco (with studios in the Merchandise Mart). My booth for broadcasting was at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, home of the Oakland A’s.

That same season, when Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley failed to secure a commercial radio contract, I was doing weekend games in Spanish from Box 19. To my left (not in the photo) was Larry Baer, today President and CEO of the San Francisco Giants.. Larry was a student volunteer from KALX, the campus station at UC Berkeley, who broadcast the first 16 games of the season to do play-by-play on that very limited-coverage radio station.

Because the UC Berkeley campus radio had very low wattage to cover the Bay Area, Mr. Carl Finley, trusted right-hand man of Charlie. Finley, and cousin to the owner of the A’s, told me to mention the score after the end of each inning in English, because their English station did not have enough coverage in the Bay Area, and so I did.

I broadcast all the action in Spanish, but after each half-inning I would give the score in English.  Later on, after the 1979 season, when Rigoberto Tito Fuentes retired with the Detroit Tigers, I asked him to join me in doing color commentary.  Our main studios for KBRG were located at the San Francisco Merchandise Mart (later known as the San Francisco Mart, 1355 Market Street, San Francisco. That same location housed Twitter/X and was vacated in 2024 by tenant Elon Musk, who sold Twitter and rebranded it as X.  A historic building in many ways. In later years, the broadcast in Spanish moved to KOFY 1050AM Radio Burlingame.

The Oakland A’s changed owners a few years later, in 1980. Walter A. Haas Jr., the former president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co., bought the Oakland A’s from Charles O. Finley on August 23, 1980, for roughly $12.7 million, with the formal acquisition completed later that year.

Yours truly, sales executive and very good friend Al Dougherty, with René DeLaRosa, owner of KIQI 1010AM La Grande 1010 in San Francisco, made a deal to move the games to that new station as we increased Spanish-language coverage in the Bay Area. Walter Haas Jr, Roy Eisenhart, and Andy Dolich, all great executives with the Oakland A’s, made these broadcasts, as well as the team, very successful with the Hispanic Community. Not to mention on the field, which culminated in a World Series title against the SF Giants in 1989.

I am very proud to have been part of this historic time in Bay Area Radio, as I worked very hard and faced many challenges to make these games in Spanish a reality. I remember writing to then-influential political figures at the local and state levels, who responded positively to the plans to extend this coverage for the largest minority in the Bay Area, the Hispanic community. This included the Mayor of San Francisco, the Honorable Dianne Feinstein, who later presented me with the City of San Francisco Award of Merit for my efforts to bring baseball in Spanish to the Bay Area.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Carson Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt sharp as Giants defeat Astros 4-1

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Photo: San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Whisenhunt threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt came into Tuesday night’s game with a 7.25 ERA, so it was reasonable to expect an offensive barrage from the Houston Astros.

But Whisenhunt said, “not so fast!” as the Giants young righty threw 5 2/3 strong innings to lead his team past the powerful Astros 4-1 at Oracle Park on Tuesday night. But it started off shaky for Whisenhunt.

Houston loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with one out, but Whisenhunt wiggled out of trouble after walking a batter and hitting a batter in that inning.

The Astros were able to break through in the top of the second inning when center fielder Daulton Varsho and outfielder Cam Smith each hit singles to start the inning. The next batter Yainer Diaz walked, loading the bases with one out. Shortstop Jeremy Peña then grounded one to the third baseman Christian Koss, who cut down the runner Varsho on the force out. Then, Yordan Alvarez hit a sacrifice fly to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. The next hitter Isaac Paredes flew out to right field to end the inning.

San Francisco evened the score in the very next half inning. Designated hitter Rafael Devers led off with a walk. After Victor Bericoto struck out, center fielder Drew Gilbert singled in Devers, who took second on a wild pitch.

The Giants took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, which again started with a walk. After Gilbert’s one-out walk, Osleivis Basabe advanced him to second on a groundout to the pitcher. The next batter catcher Drew Cavanaugh singled Gilbert in to give San Francisco a 2-1 lead. That would prove to be enough to lead the Giants to victory.

In the fifth inning, the Giants extended their lead on a Bryce Eldridge solo home run. It was a long potato to left-center field that gave the Giants a 3-1 lead. Eldridge now has 12 home runs on the year.

San Francisco capped their scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-out rally. After the first two batters flew out, Cavanaugh singled to get things going. Koss then doubled him in and then advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop Peña. The Giants were up 4-1.

The Astros committed two errors in the game, which helped the Giants cruise to victory.

J.T. Brubaker came in to close it out in the ninth and earned the save. He retired the side in order, a rarity for a Giants pitcher in the ninth with a lead. The Giants bullpen as a whole pitched 3 1/3 innings of hitless ball.

In addition to Whisenhunt’s 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, he gave up four hits and struck out two batters, while walking three.

For the Astros, starter Hunter Brown threw five innings of three-run ball. He gave up five hits, while striking out four and walking three.

Up next, the Giants will go for the series win against the Astros on Wednesday afternoon at Oracle Park. Neither the Giants nor the Astros have announced who is pitching in the matinee. Game time is at 12:45 p.m.

Starting pitchers for Houston LHP Bryan King (2-3 ERA 3.83) San Francisco has not determined a starter yet.

Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve left the game after getting hit on the left foot. He was diagnosed with a contusion. He is listed as day-to-day.

A’s Drop Another Series as Rays Roll to 12-4 Victory in Sacramento

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Mason Barnett #63 of the Athletics pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on August 11, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.— Coming off a disastrous bullpen implosion on Monday night against the Rays, the A’s looked to flip the script and get back in the win column on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park.

Unfortunately for the A’s, they sealed their fate of another losing series as they fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 12-4.

Mason Barnett took the ball for the A’s to start the game in what was his 17th appearance for the club and his third start of the season. Barnett, much like Lopez yesterday in the first inning, gave up the lead immediately as the Rays took a 2-0 lead three batters into the game on a two-run shot. From there, Barnett continued to struggle with the long ball as he gave up two more home runs during his outing. Mason went a total of four innings in the game while giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits, while walking three and striking out no Rays hitters.

Mark Kotsay said that Barnett tweaked his hip during the game and that they hope he can continue to pitch with no setback. As for the performance Tuesday, Kotsay spoke on Barnett going as long as he could.

“He pitched that fourth inning knowing that he wanted to go out and give us as much as he possibly could … just the execution portion of his pitches (was lacking).”

In the bullpen, it was Brady Basso who was first out as he tried to keep the game where it was in hopes of an A’s comeback. Basso pitched OK, giving up one run on three hits across two innings of work while striking out two, but it was a solo home run that the Rays did their damage on.

In the seventh inning, Mark Kotsay turned to Elvis Alvarado next. Alvarado struggled, giving up two runs on one hit and a walk in his one inning of relief.

In the eighth inning, with the game mostly in the books, the A’s turned to Yunior Tur to get the final six outs of the game. Tur, like his fellow relievers, struggled to get outs as he gave up three runs in the eighth inning. In the ninth, Tur was able to settle in and retire the side in order, but the damage was already done by the Rays in the inning prior. Tur tossed two innings of three-run, two-hit baseball while walking no one and striking out three hitters.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s did their scoring in the middle of the game as the offense dried up in the later innings, aside from a ninth-inning burst. The A’s managed four runs on eight hits while not walking at all in the ballgame.

The A’s first two runs of the game came in the fourth inning when Lawrence Butler sent a long drive over the right-center-field wall for a two-run home run. Butler’s blast was his eighth of the season and tallied his 31st and 32nd RBIs of the year as he drove in Jacob Wilson, who singled two batters earlier.

The A’s scored two runs late in the game on a Carlos Cortes two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was the 13th double of the year for Cortes and RBIs 29 and 30.

That was all the offense the A’s could muster as they went away quietly without much of a fight late in the game other than the brief ninth-inning rally.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 47-73 while the Rays improved to 73-46 on the year.

On Wednesday, the A’s and Rays will wrap up their three-game series with a matinee affair at 12:05 p.m. PDT. The A’s will send Jack Perkins (2-8, 7.04 ERA) to the hill while the Rays will start Drew Rasmussen (11-5, 2.75 ERA).

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Aces Shatter Mystics 7-Game Winning Streak With an 86-76 Victory

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Ace guard Chelsea Gray, right, drives the ball against Washington Mystics forward Michaela Onyenwere during a WNBA basketball game at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Tue Aug 11, 2026 (Las Vegas Review Journal)

By Rich Perez

The Washington Mystics (19-13) started strong in the first quarter of play but their 7-point lead was erased after an Aces (23-11) time-out that led to a 22-19 Las Vegas lead going into the second quarter.

The sixth place Mystics were giving the Aces all they could handle in the second quarter. When the first half came to an end this game was all tied up at 41. Las Vegas took their largest lead in the game 63-54 in the third quarter but the Mystic pushed back trailing by only three points going into the fourth quarter 60-63.

The Aces have been outscored in the fourth quarter far too many times this season and they need to turn that around as the season is rapidly winding down. With under four minutes left in the game Las Vegas had taken their largest lead of the game 75-65. The final was 86-76, the Aces breaking the Mystics seven game winning streak Tuesday night.

GAME RECAP

The Las Vegas Aces got a bit of a slow start in their game against the Washington Mystics with the Mystics taking as much as a seven point lead. Las Vegas called a time-out in the opening quarter and came back on the court with more fire taking a 22-19 lead going into the second quarter. Tuesday night unlike their last game against the New York Liberty A’Ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray all took the floor after sitting the New York game out.

The second quarter was hotly contested with neither team able to distance themselves from their opponent. Every time the Aces took the lead, the Mystics answered and at the half this game was tied at 41. Getting past Washington despite playing at Michelob ULTRA Arena would be no easy task.

Jackie Young had scored 13 points in the first half but was the only Las Vegas player in double digits. Both A’Ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray were a basket away from double digits. The Aces were losing the rebound battle and the Mysetics were making the Aces work hard for every possesson.

Washington right now is one of the hottest defensive teams around looking to extend their seven game winning streak. The Mystics Shakira Austin has been playing some solid basketball and Washington was not at all intimidated by A’Ja Wilson. The Mystics did beat Las Vegas in July in a close game 100-99. If they continue to play loose and confidently in the second half they could present problems for Las Vegas.

The good new for the Aces is that they were not trailing after the first half and they have an entire half to make adjustments by getting Wilson more involved inside and tightening up the defense on Austin.

The Aces will be looking to take this first game of a two-game series. Las Vegas had five steals to the Mystics two in the opening half and Washington also had nine turnovers. The Aces were protecting the ball well only committing four turnovers. It promises to be a wild second half of basketball.

Five minutes into the third quarter both A’Ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray had double digits. The Aces continued to hold onto the lead but the Mystics were not going anywhere threatening to take the lead throughout the third quarter.

Coming out of a time-out, Las Vegas went on a crazy run taking a 63-54 lead, their largest of the game. The third quarter would come to an end with the Aces lead cut down to 63-60.

This game turned into to a crazy battle in the paint throughout the fourth quarter. Las Vegas would have to come up big in the final quarter after struggling in many fourth quarters this season.

The Aces again took a sizeable lead in the early minutes of the fourth 71-62 and halfway through the final quarter had a 75-65 lead. With one minute left in the game, the Aces had sealed the deal taking a 84-73 lead. The Mystics winning streak had come to an end losing to Las Vegas 86-76.

GAME NOTES

It was a huge game for both A’Ja Wilson and Jackie Young. Wilson finished the game with a double double 26 points and 13 rebounds. Young had 25 points and Nalyssa Smith also with a double double, 11 points and 11 rebounds. Las Vegas had a great fourth quarter outscoring the Mystics 23-16.

The Mystics put up a great fight through the first three quarters of the game. They had three players in double digits. Kiki Iriafen had a double double finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The high for the Mystics was Shakira Austin with 20 points and eight rebounds.

It was the fourth quarter when the Aces finally separated themselves from Washington. The Mystics offense stalled in the fourth quarter and they let A’Ja Wilson take over late giving Las Vegas control finishing off Washington. Las Vegas defended much better in the closing minutes and very important, Las Vegas did not panic when the Mystics made runs.

These two teams will be back at it on Thursday when they will meet for a second time. The Mystics will be looking to even the series but after missing the New York game, it really looks like Wilson, Young and Gray are back and ready to finish off the season on a high note. Tipoff for Thurday’s game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Don Nelson coached four NBA teams and was second wnningest coach in NBA history

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Former Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson (left) and Baron Davis (right) hug during the NBA Western Conference Finals first round in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the Oakland Arena on May 3, 2007 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Golden State Warriors head coach and NBA three time Coach of the Year who passed this past week at 86 years was the second winninest head coach in NBA history.

#2 Nelson’s NBA playing career with the Boston Celtics played 11 years out of 14 and won five NBA championship.

#3 After Nelson’s playing career Nelson had a long coaching career from 1976-1987 with the Milwaukee Bucks, 1988-1995 and 2006-2010 with the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks 1995-96, and Dallas Mavericks 1997-2005.

#4 Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont talked about Nelson building the Mavericks into a franchise that was “a winning culture to Dallas.

#5 Amaury you were the Warriors Spanish play by play voice during Don Nelson’s coaching days what was that like to be able to work with Nelson and also you had a funny story about Nelson while flying with him on the plane.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Tony Renteria: Could Mendoza beat Cousins out for starting job?

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza practices at the Raiders practice faciltiy Wed Jun 10, 2026 at Henderson NV (AP file photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Is Kirk Cousins doing enough in training camp to justify remaining the Raiders’ Week 1 starting quarterback?

#2 Could rookie Fernando Mendoza force the Raiders to reconsider their quarterback plans after his recent strong performances?

#3 What does the Raiders’ impressive offensive showing in training camp say about Klint Kubiak’s new system?

#4 How important will Brock Bowers and Malik Benson be to the Raiders’ passing attack this season?

#5 Should the Raiders seriously explore a trade for Vita Vea to strengthen a defensive line led by Maxx Crosby?

Tony Renteria does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Rich Perez: Expect Crosby to lead the way for the defense this season

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Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) as seen in this Dec 21, 2025 game is expected to lead the Raiders defense (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Rich Perez:

#1 Is Kirk Cousins doing enough in training camp to justify remaining the Raiders’ Week 1 starting quarterback?

#2 Could rookie Fernando Mendoza force the Raiders to reconsider their quarterback plans after his recent strong performances?

#3 What does the Raiders’ impressive offensive showing in training camp say about Klint Kubiak’s new system?

#4 How important will Brock Bowers and Malik Benson be to the Raiders’ passing attack this season?

#5 Should the Raiders seriously explore a trade for Vita Vea to strengthen a defensive line led by Maxx Crosby?

Rich Perez does the Las Vegas Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com