Aces 104-102 Valkyries (Jul 12, 2025) Game Recap

The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Golden State Valkyries 104-102 in a close game on Saturday. A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 34 points and 16 rebounds, while Jackie Young scored 30 points, including the team's final 10 points.

With the score tied at 94 and 1:49 remaining, Jackie Young took control, scoring on the Aces' next five possessions. She hit a mid-range jumper for a 96-94 lead, followed by a driving layup to make it 98-94. Young then sealed the win by making two free throws on each of the Aces' next three possessions.

Despite Young's offensive dominance, the Valkyries stayed close with late three-pointers. Cecilia Zandalasini hit one with 17 seconds left and Tiffany Hayes made another with 7 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 102-100. Young's final pair of free throws made it 104-100 before Kayla Thornton hit a long two-pointer for the Valkyries' final points.

Young was perfect from the free-throw line, going 11-for-11 (she entered the game as an 89% shooter). Overall, the Aces made 30 of 35 free throws. Wilson, playing after injuring her wrist earlier in the week, made 12 of 16 shots and 9 of 12 free throws. Jewell Loyd added 15 points for Las Vegas.

All five Golden State starters scored in double figures: Hayes and Janelle Salaun each had 16 points, Temi Fagbenle scored 13, Veronica Burton 11, and Kayla Thornton 10. Cecilia Zandalasini contributed 12 points off the bench. This was the expansion Valkyries' first game in Las Vegas; their head coach, Natalie Nakase, was an Aces assistant during their 2022 and 2023 championship seasons.

Entering the game, the Valkyries held a 10-10 record, having won five of their previous eight games. The Aces improved to 10-11 after losing three of their last four.

Looking ahead, Golden State hosts Phoenix on Monday, while Las Vegas plays at Dallas on Wednesday.