Golden State 83, Las Vegas 81 · Chase Center · Valkyries lead series 2-0
For 29 minutes this looked like a repeat of Game 1. For the next eight, it looked like the defending champions had stolen home court. In the end, Veronica Burton and Kiah Stokes made sure Golden State flew to Las Vegas with a 2-0 series lead.
Golden State in control
The Valkyries scored the game's first seven points and held the Aces to 11 in the first quarter. Golden State led 42-31 at halftime with A'ja Wilson held to six first-half points, and the margin reached 66-50 with just over a minute left in the third.
The champs push back
Las Vegas finally found its rhythm. Chelsea Gray's jumper cut it to 73-68, Dana Evans hit a three, and Gray tied the game from deep with 2:10 remaining. Wilson's layup with 1:36 to go gave the Aces a 76-74 lead — their first of the night.
The finish
Burton broke a tie with a deep three with 41.5 seconds left, then added two free throws in the closing seconds. Las Vegas had one last chance, and Stokes — a former Ace — rejected Gray's layup attempt with 1.3 seconds left to preserve the win.
Las Vegas played without guard Jewell Loyd, who was ruled out with the left leg injury she suffered in Game 1. The Aces were outrebounded again, though only 30-25 this time after a lopsided Game 1 on the glass.
By the numbers
- Tiffany Hayes — 21 pts (team high)
- Veronica Burton — go-ahead three at 0:41.5, late free throws
- Kiah Stokes — 7 reb, game-saving block
- A'ja Wilson — 24 pts (18 after half), 7 reb
- Chelsea Gray — 19 pts, 6 ast · Jackie Young — 14 pts · Stephanie Talbot — 10 pts
- Kalani Brown — game-high 8 reb
Up next: Game 3 Friday, Oct. 9 in Las Vegas, with the Valkyries one win from their first Finals.
Published on womenssec.com. Statistics referenced are as of the publication date.