Aces Bounce Back to Even Series Against Valkyries After Earlier Rout
The WNBA season has delivered compelling matchups, and the recent series between the Golden State Valkyries and the Las Vegas Aces is a prime example. After a surprising dominant victory by the Valkyries in their first encounter, the Aces retaliated with a strong performance on their home court, splitting the season series 1-1.
Valkyries’ Dominance in San Francisco
The first clash on June 7, 2025, saw the Golden State Valkyries deliver a stunning 95-68 defeat to the Las Vegas Aces at the Chase Center in San Francisco. This commanding 27-point victory was a significant moment for the Valkyries, snapping a four-game losing streak and showcasing their potential. Key to their success were standout performances from forward Kayla Thornton, who recorded an impressive 22 points and 11 rebounds, alongside Veronica Burton and Monique Billings, both of whom also achieved double-doubles. For the Aces, A’ja Wilson led the scoring with 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Golden State’s offensive and defensive prowess. The game, witnessed by 18,064 fans, was broadcast on ABC and ESPN+, marking a memorable win for the Valkyries (ESPN).
Aces Secure Revenge in Las Vegas
The highly anticipated rematch took place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The Aces, looking to even the season series, secured a 90-81 victory over the Valkyries. This game was particularly notable for the return and dominant performance of Aces’ center A’ja Wilson, who had been listed as questionable due to a wrist injury. Wilson silenced any doubts, leading all scorers with a remarkable 30 points and adding 13 rebounds. Jackie Young also contributed significantly for the Aces with 20 points and 6 assists. For the Valkyries, Janelle Salaun led with 14 points, while Kayla Thornton continued her strong play with 11 points and 7 rebounds (ESPN).
Prior to the July 12 game, sports analysts had weighed in with their predictions. SportsLine experts Calvin Wetzel and Aaron Barzilai, known for their successful WNBA and NCAA picks, had favored the Golden State Valkyries to cover the 2-point spread and predicted the game would go under the 154.5 total points. Wetzel highlighted the Valkyries’ improved performance since their first encounter with the Aces, noting their 8-4 record and second-best net rating (+10.1) in the league since that game. He also pointed to Golden State’s league-leading defensive rating and slow pace of play as factors favoring an ‘under’ outcome (CBS Sports). However, the actual game defied these predictions, with the Aces winning by 9 points and the total score reaching 171, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of WNBA matchups, especially with a healthy A’ja Wilson.
Season Implications and Future Outlook
Following these two contests, the Golden State Valkyries hold a 10-9 record, with a 3-6 road record in 2025. The Las Vegas Aces, despite their recent struggles, improved to 9-11 overall, with a 5-4 record on their home court. The series split underscores the competitive landscape of the WNBA Western Conference. While the Valkyries have shown significant improvement and defensive strength, the Aces proved that with their star players performing, they remain a formidable force. Fans can look forward to potential future matchups as both teams vie for playoff positioning in what promises to be an exciting remainder of the 2025 WNBA season.
