A'ja Wilson Shines as Aces Overcome Valkyries

A'ja Wilson dominated the court, scoring 27 points as the Las Vegas Aces triumphed over the Golden State Valkyries 78-72 on Wednesday night. Jackie Young and Jewell Loyd contributed significantly, each netting 14 points in the contest.

Las Vegas, now holding a record of 16-14, showcased their strength by finishing the third quarter with a 13-4 surge, establishing a 64-54 advantage. However, the fourth quarter saw them struggle offensively until Loyd's timely three-pointer extended their lead to 74-65 with just under three minutes remaining.

With the clock winding down, Wilson secured the win for her team by sinking two free throws with 34.9 seconds left on the clock.

Wilson's efficiency was remarkable; she shot 8 of 11 from the field and maintained a perfect 11 of 11 from the charity stripe. Additionally, her two blocks in the first quarter marked a milestone, making her the tenth player in WNBA history to reach 500 blocks.

For Golden State, Tiffany Hayes led with 14 points, while Janelle Salaun added 13. Both Carla Leite and Kaila Charles chipped in with 11 points each, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory.

The Aces held a narrow lead of 43-38 at halftime, bolstered by Wilson's impressive first-half performance. The turning point came when Young hit a three-pointer with 4:49 left in the third quarter, giving Las Vegas a lead they would not relinquish.

Dana Evans further extended the Aces' advantage, pushing it to double digits at 62-52 with just 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter.