Jackie Young Leads Aces to Narrow Victory Over Valkyries

A'ja Wilson dominated the court with 34 points, but it was Jackie Young who clinched the game for the Las Vegas Aces, scoring 30 points, including the final 10 in a thrilling 104-102 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday.

With the score tied at 94 and just under two minutes left, Young took charge. She executed five consecutive successful plays, starting with a mid-range jumper that gave Las Vegas a slight edge. Following that, a driving layup pushed the score to 98-94. Young then converted two free throws on each of the Aces' next three possessions, effectively sealing the win.

Despite Young's offensive prowess, the Valkyries kept the pressure on. Cecilia Zandalasini hit a crucial three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining, followed by another from Tiffany Hayes just seven seconds later, narrowing the gap to 102-100.

Young's final free throws extended the lead to 104-100, but Kayla Thornton of the Valkyries responded with a long two-pointer, marking the end of the scoring.

Young showcased her free-throw skills, finishing a perfect 11-for-11 from the line, contributing to the Aces' impressive team performance of 30 successful free throws out of 35 attempts.

Wilson, returning from a wrist injury earlier in the week, was efficient with 12 of 16 shooting and added 16 rebounds alongside her scoring. Jewell Loyd also made her mark with 15 points.

The Valkyries had a balanced attack with all five starters reaching double figures. Hayes and Janelle Salaun led with 16 points each, while Temi Fagbenie contributed 13 points. Veronica Burton and Thornton added 11 and 10 points respectively, with Zandalasini scoring 12 off the bench.

This matchup marked the expansion Valkyries' inaugural visit to Las Vegas. Notably, Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase previously served as an assistant for the Aces during their championship runs in 2022 and 2023.

With this win, the Aces improved to a record of 10-11, while the Valkyries fell to 10-10 after winning five of their last eight games.

Looking ahead, Golden State will face Phoenix on Monday, while Las Vegas prepares for a matchup against Dallas on Wednesday.