San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Luis Matos two run home run in the ninth inning celebration would be short lived Matos tied the game up but the Los Angeles Dodgers would come back in the the top of the 11th inning with three runs to defeat the Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jul 13, 2025 (AP News photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:
#1 Morris tough loss for the San Francisco Giants after getting behind to the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 they got a brief reprieve when pinch hitter Luis Matos slugged first pitch two run home run in the last of the ninth inning to tie the game 2-2 only to lose it on three runs in the top of the 11th inning.
#2 Giants All Star Robbie Ray was looking for his tenth win of the first half of the season pitching six innings, allowing three hits, two runs both earned, two walks and six strikeouts. A hard effort but he just didn’t get enough run support.
#3 Ray will not pitch in the All Star Game after pitching here on Sunday did you see that being a tough decision for Ray passing up the opportunity to pitch in the All Star Game?
#4 The Giants Luis Matos made the best of it tying the game up in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two run home run. Rafael Devers had a good opportunity to win it when he hit one in the bottom of the tenth and a ghost runner on second that would have won it but it got flagged down by Dodger centerfielder James Outman and kept the Dodgers alive who scored three times in the top of the 11th to get the 5-2 win.
#5 Giants head into the All Star Break with a record of 52-44 and return to the second half of the season in Toronto for three games starting Fri Jul 18th.
Robbie Ray seen pitching against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field for the San Francisco Giants back on Thu Jul 3, 2025 will not pitch in the 2025 All Star in Atlanta but will be there to represent the Giants (AP file photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg:
#1 San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray along with pitchers Logan Webb and Randy Rodriguez will represent the Giants at the All Star Game in Atlanta. We’ll start with Ray he’s in the top ten of the best ERA in the National League at 2.63.
#2 Ray made a start Sunday and will not pitch in the All Star game. Ray wanted to pitch in this one against the Los Angeles Dodgers and try and pick up his tenth win.
#3 Ray is the first pitcher since 2021 to have double digit wins in the first half of a season since former Giant Anthony DeSlafani did it with ten wins.
#4 Logan Webb has had a numerous amount of success this season he nearly finished the first half with ten wins he’s at 9-6 and an ERA at 2.94 and won his most recent game against the Dodgers 8-7 on Friday night here at Oracle Park.
#5 Reliever Randy Rodriguez is having himself a first half he’s allowed only one run at Oracle Park and has a 0.42 ERA in the 20 games pitched at home. Rodriguez’s 0.89 is the lowest amongst relievers in MLB.
OAKLAND–This clear and breezy afternoon at Raimondi Park was the scene of a repeat performance of Friday’s 9-0 shellacking of the visiting Rocky Mountain Vibes by your Oakland Ballers. The Vibes hail from Colorado Springs, from which you can see Pikes Peak, and the Ballers certainly busted the Vibes on both occasions. Saturday’s Baller win was by an ample 6-3 margin.
Once again, the B’s starting pitcher—Saturday he was Luke short— held his opponents scoreless over six innings of play. He made short work of them, allowing but two hits and a pair of walks, and uncorking a wild pitch, all on a total of 54 pitches. He earned his sixth win of the season against one loss.
Oakland’s bullpen wasn’t as effective in Saturday’s sunlight as it had been under Friday night’s artificial illumination. Conner Richardson, Short’s successor, coughed up the Vibes’ three runs four batters after taking over mound duties in the top of the seventh.
Ex-Baller Stephen Wilmer and Will Butcher hit back to back singles. Aleck Davis fanned and then catcher Otto Jones sent Richardson’s 0-2 delivery over the left field fence for his first professional home run. The game no longer was as one sided as its predecessor. Richardson set down his next two mountaineers to end the inning. Carson Lambert and Connor Sullivan pitched a shutout frame apiece, and that was it for the Vibes.
There were no sustained anomalies comparable with Friday’s six players in the seventh slot phenomenon, but the game’s final out was a doozie. Sully issued a one out walk to Adams to bring Jones to the plate. He lifted a popup to second for the out number two. But Adams, who most likely had forgotten that there had been only one down, hadn’t reversed his advance towards second, and Harris tagged him for an easy no brainer game ending unassisted double play.
Although Lou Helmig went hitless in four at bats, the B’s continued to have a potent offense. Indeed, Helmig was the only starter not to get at least a single. Davis Drewek, back from the injured list, went two for four with a walk and an RBI. Christian Almanza, Dillon Tatum, Nick Leehey, and Esai Santos each contributed a double. Leehey drove in three runs; Dillon Tatum, two, and Cobb, Drewek, and Ryan Pierce, one apiece.
The only unscored upon Rocky Mountain pitcher was Thomas Peltier, who surrendered a double in the seventh, the only inning he worked.
The teams will close out the first half Sunday. Game time is 1:05. I won’t be covering that contest, so why don’t you drop by at 18th and Wood. You’ll probable enjoy the vibes (note the lower case, although the ones with a capital V provide some pretty entertaining counterpoint to your Oakland Ballers),
Sacramento A’s owner John Fisher (gold tie) spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony at the former Tropicana Hotel for the A’s future Las Vegas ballpark Mon Jun 23, 2025. A’s president Mark Badain is leaning forward to the far left, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is seated to Fisher’s right and to Fisher’s left is Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steven Hill. Reports say Fisher is still trying to raise the money to cover the construction costs for the Vegas ballpark. (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:
#1 According to reports Sacramento A’s owner John Fisher still hasn’t spent the money for the Las Vegas ballpark at the old Tropicana so he could get the $380 million in Nevada State public funds. SB1 was approved to pay for part of the A’s Vegas park going on two years now.
#2 Fisher said after the A’s ground breaking at the Tropicana that the cost of construction for the new park will now run up to $2 billion and according to reports Fisher doesn’t financially have anything near $1 billion despite being worth $3 billion.
#3 John Fisher and his family are not going to spend their own money namely the $1.75 billion out of pocket for the ballpark project but are trying to confirm loans from US Bank, Goldman Sachs, investments from K Pop star Suga, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park and sale of his MLS team the San Jose Earthquakes.
#4 It was also reported at the ground break this month in Vegas that the two cranes that were pictured behind Fisher while he was speaking to the media there were rented cranes as props and they were never going to be in use that outside of moving dirt around there is nothing really seriously happening at the old Tropicana property in terms of getting a foundation started.
#5 Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred who was at the groundbreaking holding a shovel and putting it in the dirt held in a baseball diamond tray said he was confident that the project would go through but critics after the ground breaking said that Manfred should have made sure everything was covered before committing the A’s to Las Vegas but that didn’t happen and the ground breaking looks like a farce.
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.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins (73) was relieved by manager Alex Cora (13) in the second inning after tearing his right knee covering first base against the Tampa Bay Rays on Fri Jul 11, 2025 at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)
Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:
#1 Boston Red Sox right hander Hunter Dobbins announced on Saturday that his season was over due to a torn ACL in his right knee that tore on Friday. Dobbin was covering first base in the second inning when Dobbin took a bad step and ended up limping after making the catch for the out on a throw from first baseman Abraham Toro. After making one warm up toss Sox manager Alex Cora decided Dobbins was to be relieved.
#2 Atlanta Braves lead off star Ronald Acuna will not participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday and will replaced by Braves teammate and All Star Matt Olson. Acuna will play in the All Star Game at Truist Field in Cobb County. Olson will be a reserve infielder.
#3 Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh hit his 37th and 38th home runs against the Detroit Tigers on Friday night in the 12-3 victory. Raleigh needs one more home run to catch former Giant Barry Bonds for the MLB record for home runs at the All Star Break.
#4 Toronto Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer picked up his first victory since July 25th, 2025 and became the first Jays pitcher 40 years or older to win since former Jays pitcher RA Dickey did it on May 4, 2015. Scherzer also is the fifth Jays pitcher 40 years or older to win. The Jays beat the Sacramento A’s on Friday night 7-6 at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento.
#5 The Philadelphia Phillies say they feel snubbed after a number of coaches and players were not selected for the All Star Game namely Christopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Trea Turner who were not names. The Phils Kyle Schwarber will be the only player representing Philadelphia in Atlanta. “It’s unfortunate,” Schwarber said, “but I wish my teammates were there. We know what we have, and I think that we’re grateful for what we have.”
Sacramento A’s Brent Rooker (25) is congratulated by teammates Nick Kurtz (16) and Tyler Soderstrom (21) after Rooker’s two run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sat July 12, 2025 (AP News photo)
Rooker Delivers a Firecracker as the Green and Gold Clutch One Before the Break; Rooker’s 20th delivers 4-3 win over Blue Jays
By Mauricio Segura
Sacramento fans got a late-inning show Saturday night as the Athletics rallied past the Blue Jays, 4-3, in a tightrope thriller. It was a win defined by grit, timely slugging, and the kind of bullpen poise the A’s have been yearning for all season. Brent Rooker’s 20th homer of the year, an absolute missile to left-center, turned a tense fifth inning into a party, and the bullpen slammed the door behind him.
This was more than just a win. It was a momentum-builder heading into the All-Star break, and it came with a dash of redemption, especially against a Blue Jays team that had beaten the A’s in all five prior matchups this season. Sacramento fans, soaking up their team’s debut summer in the capital, had reason to cheer beyond just the home run blasts.
Rooker’s blast came just after rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz singled, giving the A’s their first lead of the night at 4-2 With that shot, Rooker became the first Athletic since Khris Davis and Matt Olson to hit 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons. His power, already enough to earn him a spot in next week’s Home Run Derby, was once again the difference-maker. But this game had more heroes than just the slugging designated hitter.
Center fielder Denzel Clarke quietly put together one of his more mature outings. His third-inning single may have traveled only a few feet off the bat, but it set off a chain reaction. He then capitalized on a wild throw to take second, and Lawrence Butler cashed him in with a single to cut Toronto’s early lead in half. Clarke also made a crucial play on defense in the sixth, snagging a liner off the bat of Bo Bichette that had rally written all over it.
That sixth inning was the beginning of a five-arm relay by the A’s bullpen that held a dangerous Blue Jays lineup to just one run over four innings. After Jacob Lopez grinded through five frames, allowing two runs and scattering five hits, the bullpen stepped in.
Elvis Alvarado, Michael Kelly, Sean Newcomb and Mason Miller combined for four innings of one-run ball. Miller, as he’s done time and again this season, closed it out in the ninth with his signature upper-90s heat and a pair of strikeouts, earning his 18th save and preserving the win.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. The A’s were outhit 7-6 and missed a couple of early scoring chances. Kevin Gausman had Sacramento’s young lineup looking overmatched through four innings. But the Green and Gold hung tough, aided by a pair of costly catcher interference calls, both against Toronto’s Tyler Heineman, that gave the Athletics extra outs and kept innings alive. Those moments don’t show up in the highlight reels, but they mattered.
And then there was the quiet steadiness of Miguel Andujar. Coming off the injured list earlier in the week, Andujar broke out of an 0-for-14 slump with two hits and a stolen base, injecting life into the middle of the order. Pinch-runner Max Schuemann came in for him in the eighth and swiped second with ease, setting the table for an insurance run that never came but wasn’t needed.
Toronto made things interesting in the eighth when Alejandro Kirk hit a sacrifice fly to bring the Jays within one, but Newcomb’s strikeout of Addison Barger ended the threat. The Blue Jays got the tying run aboard in the ninth, but Mason Miller made sure it didn’t matter, striking out Ernie Clement and George Springer in succession to send the crowd home buzzing.
With the win, the Athletics improve to 40 and 57, snapping a two-game skid and avoiding a season sweep at the hands of the Jays. They’re still anchored to the bottom of the AL West, but this is not the same team that lost 20 of 21 earlier in the year. There’s energy now. Swagger. And a rookie class that looks like it belongs.
Kurtz continues to pace MLB rookies in home runs, Butler is heating up again after a midweek lull, and Clarke, despite his strikeouts, is showing flashes of becoming a dynamic two-way threat. The young core is working together, and if Rooker keeps swinging like this, it’s only going to get more fun in Sacramento.
Starting pitchers for Sunday for the Blue Jays RHP Jose Berrios (5-3 ERA 3.53) for the A’s LHP Jeffrey Springs (7-6 ERA 3.92) a 1:05pm PDT.
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.
Kings vs Bulls at 2025 Summer League on (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
LAS VEGAS — The Sacramento Kings played their second game of the 2K26 Summer League on Saturday afternoon inside the Cox Pavilion. The Kings defeated the Chicago Bulls 109-92 to stay undefeated at 2-0 in Summer League.
Devin Carter on a mission for the Kings
Devin came out in the second game of Summer League much more effective than the first game. Carter opened the game with 13 points and two rebounds in the first quarter for the Kings. He would go on to finish the first half with 21 points and 2 assists to lead the Kings. In the second half, Carter continued to play at a high level as he finished the game with 30 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Kings Summer League head coach Dipesh Mistry was impressed with Carter and his bounce-back performance after the game.
“Devin was great. He was aggressive, he hunted shots, he got to the paint. He made great plays as well. He did a great job.”
Devin Carter himself spoke with us after the game and was pleased with the way he bounced back after a rough first game.
“Definitely a bounce back game…,” Carter said. “All the coaches, they just told me to be aggressive, but the first game, like I said, I wasn’t really being aggressive, taking good shots, I was taking different shots and stuff. So just let the game slow down.”
Devin could be seen in both games adjusting his surgically repaired shoulder—something that certainly appeared alarming. It turns out he had tweaked it earlier in mini camp and has just been playing through some pain recently. The re-aggravation doesn’t appear to be a serious issue and is simply a matter of Devin playing through it.
“My shoulder feels a lot better than it did the first game,” Carter said. “I mean I tweaked it the day before the game and scrimmage that we had [back in Sacramento]. So yeah, I was kind of playing hesitant the first day, but I just had a lot of treatment, a lot of Advil.”
I clarified with Devin if this seems to be an ongoing issue, and he shut me down quickly.
“It wasn’t today [bothering me] really until I fell. It was a little bit, but no, definitely the first game… Ever since I had the surgery, it’ll have its episodes where it’ll hurt a few days and unfortunately for the first game it happened the day before. So it’s fresh.”
Carter seems to think it won’t affect him moving forward, and his head coach Dipesh Mistry has no concerns either.
“There’s nothing really I’m aware of. He’s able to play.”
Nique Clifford has solid all-around follow-up to the first game
Nique Clifford had his full game on display on Saturday. Nique finished the game with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. It was a bit of a different look from Clifford, who took a while to get going in the first game. Clifford was distributing from the start on Saturday and did an excellent job rebounding for the Kings. It was an all-around solid effort from Nique that followed his strong second-half debut on Thursday night.
His rebounding and passing were on full display in the game. Coach Dip, after the game, said Clifford made a lot of the right reads—and that’s what he continues to want to see from the rookie.
“For his passing, it’s just making the right play. If he consistently makes the right play, he’s good. So it’s not just passing, it’s like he’s got to look at the rim and he’s got to attract the low man. He’s got to attract the help. And then from there he makes the read. It might be score. It is not really just about passing, it’s more about making the right read.”
Maxime Raynaud has quiet, solid night
The unsung performance of the night certainly goes to Maxime Raynaud. He had another solid offensive game in a matchup that was mostly dominated by Devin Carter. Maxime finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists in the game.
We have yet to really see Maxime’s defensive presence around the rim in Summer League. Time will tell if that becomes a focus for him in his early career with the Kings.
This Kings group at Summer League has been fun to watch, and it will be interesting to see how the main group of young guys will fit into Kings head coach Doug Christie’s plans come training camp.
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.
Los Angeles Dodgers DH/Pitcher Shohei Ohtani walks back to the dugout after striking out against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the seventh inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 12, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Michael Roberson
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The San Francisco Giants (56-40) were unable to grasp the win from the negative streaking Los Angeles Dodgers (53-43) 2-1, in front of another sellout Oracle Park crowd, on a beautiful Saturday Afternoon.
All eyes were on two huge figures on the mound. Legendary Giant Barry Bonds tossed the ceremonial First Pitch, as he was being honored for his greatness in the previous iteration of the ballpark on 3rd and King. Shohei Ohtani was the other star on the bump, as he was displaying his historic diversity as a multi-talented player
After the Dodgers offense did not produce any runs in the top of the first inning, including Ohtani grounding out to first base, he struck out the sides in the bottom of the frame. Within his limited time on the mound, his offense did give him some run support.
In the top of the second inning, third baseman Tommy Edman ushered in teammate Michael Conforto home plate, on a groundout to second base. Dodgers were up 1-0, as Ohtani was dealing a no-hitter in the early innings
His time pitching lasted only three innings, and after 2 2/3 no-hit innings pitched, Michael Yastrzemski performed the only knock off of the emerging legend. He also had four strikeouts during his pitching tenure. However, his appearances at the plate were not as productive.
In the top of the sixth the Dodgers added to their slim total. Second baseman Hyeseong Kim slapped a single to left field, scoring Conforto again, but he was gunned out at second base, trying to stretch the single into a double, ending a possible big inning. Los Angeles was up 2-0 at that point of the game.
The Giants were finally in a position to get off the goose egg in the bottom of the eighth. With a bases loaded scenario in play, the home team was only able to earn a single run, instead of blowing the contest open. Highly praised acquisition Rafael Devers hit a deep sacrifice fly ball to right field, resulting in the Giants lone run, scored by Mike Yastrzemski. The game was still in balance, with the ninth left to play.
Unfortunately for the home team, they ended the game with a foul out and two strikeouts. The Dodgers finally ended their long seven losing streak, and defeated their arch rival on both coasts.
The Giants loss evened the series at 1-1, with the “Rubber Game” being Sunday, July 13 at 1:05 PM PT. The expected pitching matchup is LAD RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7, 2.77) versus SFG LHP Robbie Ray (9-3, 2.63).
Los Angeles Dodgers Michael Conforto scores (center) one of his two runs in the top of the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 12, 2025 (AP News photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Roberson:
#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers came into Oracle Park and snapped their seven game skid against the San Francisco Giants in game two of this three game series 2-1.
#2 For the most part of the game it was a pitcher’s duel with the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani starting going three innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and four strikeouts. As usual as a precaution Ohtani made an early exit.
#3 For San Francisco Giant starter Landen Roupp pitched six innings allowing seven hits, two runs, one earned run, a walk and eight strike outs. Roupp was key with his eight strikeouts but still took the loss dropping his record to 6-6.
#4 Big day for ex Giant Michael Conforto with three hits and scoring two runs. Conforto turned out to be the key figure in this game as the Dodgers just got by the Giants 2-1 and Conforto supplying all the run production for LA.
#5 Game 3 the rubber game match up Sunday at Oracle Park for the Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7 ERA 2.77) will be opposed by the Giants LHP Robbie Ray (9-3 ERA 2.63) first pitch at 1:05pm PT.
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) loses control of the ball after being fouled by Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton, left, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)Steve Marcus/Associated Press
By Rich Perez
It was far from easy for the Las Vegas Aces (10-11) as they beat the Golden State Valkyries (10-10) in a thriller 104-102 breaking their two-game losing streak on Saturday. The Valkyries were on fire in the first half hitting nine three’s but fell short in the second half as the Aces really stepped up taking the lead for most of the third and fourth quarters.
A’Ja Wilson had 25 points in the first half along with 16 rebounds (another double double for her) and finished with 34 points. Jackie Young finished off this game hitting four free throws down the stretch, two of them in the final 6.5 seconds of play.
As this game got underway at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, the Aces took a slim lead after the first quarter of play leading 23-21. Despite being a new franchise, the Valkyries have had a great start to the season with a 11-10 record in sixth place in the Western Conference. The first quarter had been a hotly contested affair.
Golden State won the second quarter outscoring the Aces 25-22. At the half the Valkyries had a single point lead 46-45. The Ace’s Wilson had her highest scoring half with 25 points. Las Vegas would need more from Chelsea Gray and also from Jewell Loyd in the second half of play.
The Valkyries led for much of the first half but the Aces turned that all-around in the the quarter. They took as much as a seven point lead in the quarter and after three quarters led 76-72. Jewell Loyd got really hot in the second half and finished the first three quarters with 15 points. Las Vegas needed to extend their lead and put this game away putting an end to their losing streak.
At 7:09 in the fourth quarter, the Aces had established an 85-77 lead. Jackie Young was on a roll with 20 points. Wilson had another double double already with 13 rebounds to accompany her 28 points and she was far from finished.
Every time the Valkyries made a move in the final quarter, the Aces had the answer. Golden State was doing everything they could to put the stops on Wilson but it was not working. With five minutes left in the game, the Aces had a 87-81 lead.
There was still a lot of time on clock for either of these two teams to come away with a win. As the clock ticked away with under four minutes the Aces really clamped down on the Valkyries leading 90-81. The Valkyries had not had a three in the second half after hitting 9 in the first half but with three plus minutes left in the game they hit their tenth and it was a four point game 90-86 with Las Vegas hanging. This game was going down to the wire.
There were two play stoppages in the final minutes of the fourth quarter which really challenged both teams down the stretch. Both reviews favored the Aces. With 1:34 left on the clock the Valkyries not only scored but drew a foul and this game was tied at 94.
With under a minute left the Aces took back the lead at 98-94 in a wild finish. Las Vegas finished off this game with a couple of free throws from Jackie Young with 6.5 seconds left on the clock and the Aces had broken their losing streak; the final was 104-102.
The Las Vegas Aces found a way to finish this game but a lot of credit has to go to the Golden State Valkyries who fought tooth and nail throughout the entire game. The Aces had weathered the storm with Wilson scoring 34 points, finishing with yet another double double , Young with 30 points and Jewell Loyd with 15 points. The Aces were 10 of 10 from the line in the fourth quarter.
The Valkyries starting lineup had a great showing with every player scoring in double digits. Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaun finishing with 16 points apiece.
Game notes: The 2025 season has not started the way the Aces had envisioned. Last season they lost in the playoffs to the eventual winners in the semi-final round and going into 2025 they came in with high hopes that have not panned out.
Their starting roster has most of last years starters with the addition of Jewell Loyd. They have lost two games in a row and Saturday the Aces got back on track as they took on the new franchise, the Valkyries. Las Vegas is ninth in the standings, a position that they could not have imagined going into the season.
They missed Wilson for a few games who was on concussion protocol. Wilson also missed their last game with an injured right wrist in a loss to the Mystics and before that they dropped a game to the New York Liberty. The season is almost at the half-way mark and there is till a lot of time to move up in the standings and Saturday they got a great opportunity to end their losing skid.
Las Vegas will not take the court until next Wednesday when they hit the road taking on the Dallas Wings followed by the All-Star game next Saturday. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
Tune in for the All-Star game next Saturday with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 PM on ABC. The Aces Wilson will be a starter on Team Clark chosen at pick # 5 and Jackie Young was selected for the second team picked at # 18. Las Vegas will be back in regular season action on Tuesday night taking on the Atlanta Dream.
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