Golden State Valkyries beat Las Vegas Aces 71-60 in WNBA semifinal Game 1

sportsOct 4, 202636939

The Golden State Valkyries beat the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces 71-60 in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals at Chase Center. The Aces' 60 points were their fewest all season, down from a previous low of 66. Gabby Williams led Golden State with 25 points and 11 rebounds and credited video coordinator Daisy Feder for the team's board focus. Kiah Stokes grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds, and the Valkyries outrebounded Las Vegas 58-34, including 17 offensive rebounds that produced 20 second-chance points versus the Aces' five. Natalie Nakase used size off the bench, pairing recently signed center Aminata Gueye with Stokes; Gueye added nine points in 11 minutes after joining on September 20. A'ja Wilson scored a team-high 24 for Las Vegas but shot 8-for-21 and struggled after a strong first quarter, and Aces coach Becky Hammon called it "one of our more atrocious games of the season." Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in San Francisco.

Marisa Ingemi

@mingemi.bsky.social

Final: Valkyries 71, Aces 60 Golden State takes a 1-0 series lead. Williams with 25 and 10, Thornton just 2 points shy a double-double, Stokes season-high 14 rebounds. Aces season-low 60 points

1763h ago

Transitional Fossil4

A'ja Wilson scored, but she took a lot of shots to get her points. a great start by the Valkyries. they look great. #WNBA

Nina Jo Smith1

I love their offensive rebounding and the way they stay with the play. 🙌

Michael1

Insane rebounding. Like Vegas didn't even try on offense

Pablo

@un5toppabl0.bsky.social

Natalie Nakase is building something special in Golden State 🤎

1616h ago

unicorn66.bsky.social3

Yes. I hope Natalie takes much better care of herself🙏🏽

AndyV1

I’d love to see them win it all

Max Dubler 🏳️‍🌈

@maxdubler.com

This Golden State Valkyries game balances overt homosexuality and wholesome family fun in a way that I had only previously experienced at a Village People concert. It’s like a lesbian megachurch.

1523h ago

Matt da Silva7

Gotta get you to a PWHL game. Go Sirens!

Candied Apple Jaqs4

I agree. Kids don't care about adult relationships as long as they're included in the fun. The way they're included at the games is meaningful and appropriate. It's really a win for everyone

Tiffany2

That’s the vibe at most WNBA games and NWSL matches. Even the straight fans are a bit untraditional. 😄 It’s fun.

Paulrus of West Bumblefrick1

I’ve only been to one Village People concert but a large portion of it was one of them yelling at the crowd about how nobody does the YMCA dance right.

Joanne1

What this country needs is a Rocky Horror theme park

Kristin 1

It is the most amazing and diverse crowd I've ever attended a pro sports game with 💜

Quoting this

Mrs. Detective PikaBOO, Esq.33

This is the best description of an NBA game I’ve ever seen

Mattie Electric Air Line12

Oh my gd this description of WNBA

Suzi4

May Ballhalla never go the way of the Village People!

Jose Carlos Fajardo

@fuzyjoe.bsky.social

Golden State Valkyries' Aminata Gueye (31) celebrates with teammate Kaitlyn Chen (2) after Gueye made the basket and got the foul in the third quarter of Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. #valkyries #wnba

743h ago

Steve Jones

@stevejones20.bsky.social

To the surprise of no one the Golden State Valkyries are showing help and sending help on A'ja Wilson drives.

474h ago

The IX Sports

@theixsports.bsky.social

For all the talk of the Golden State Valkyries' lack of “star power,” Gabby Williams put them on her back on Friday in the #WNBA playoffs. In a @theixsports.bsky.social x @valkyriesbeat.bsky.social collaboration, our @mingemi.bsky.social explains how Williams did it.

40Yesterday

Valkyries Beat

@valkyriesbeat.bsky.social

The Golden State Valkyries are going to the WNBA semi-finals. How did that happen? www.valkyriesbeat.com/p/valkyries-...

45Yesterday

Along Came Poly-4-The-W

@alongcamepoly4thew.bsky.social

NOW THISSSSS THE BATTLE OF 2 #22s EYE LIIIIIIIIIIIIVE & BREATHE TO SEE 💕🏀💕 #wnba #wnbaplayoffs

Semi-finals match-up #2 Valkyries vs #3 aces

A'ja Wilson and Golden State Veronica Burton each representing their wnba team

4123h ago

Sarah 🏳️‍🌈

@heresthething.bsky.social

Taking ABSOLUTELY nothing from what the players did yesterday because their tenacity was incredible, but I think it's also pretty obvious that the Valks don't win game 3 without Coach Nat #WNBA #GSV

32Yesterday

Quoting this

Basil May10

Should have won coach of the year honestly but also if you're a woman in your 40s and you faint you MUST go immediately to the hospital I don't care if you're in the last minutes of a playoff game #wnba

Sarah 🏳️‍🌈9

Another that isn't talked about enough is how healthy the Valks have been this year (which is an ironic thing to say the day after she nearly passes out on the court herself). Some of that is luck of course, but we shouldn't over look Natalie's role in keeping everyone healthy #WNBA #GSV

NBC Sports Bay Area & California

@nbcsportsbayarea.com

No matter what the Valkyries' playoff fate will be, they continue to redefine overachievement. It’s their norm. It’s who they are, @montepoole.bsky.social writes

149h ago

Quoting this

Monte Poole18

Excellent coach. Cohesive roster. Bat-outta-hell mentality. Rabid fans. Valkyries are fearsome. Don't let them add a superstar. Or two.

becky hammon’s crucifix

@real-point-god.bsky.social

You shall know the truth. -Valerie to the Aces’ fans who doubted Kiah Stokes, quoted in John 8:32 #WNBA

173h ago

News 📰

@some-news.bsky.social

The Golden State Valkyries on Friday won their game against the Dallas Wings, meaning the team will move on to the next round of the WNBA finals.

17Yesterday

Storm Chasers

@wnbastormchasers.bsky.social

I wrote a #WNBA Semifinals preview article as the New York Liberty battle the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries face the Las Vegas Aces. I correctly predicted 3 out of the 4 first-round series and nailed 2 exactly. Read more below! www.stormchasersbasketball.com/p/wnba-semif...

10Yesterday

Willeta

@willeta-alexander.bsky.social

I was right for the Semi-Finals so my next prediction for the Finals: Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries #WNBA

12Yesterday

San Francisco Chronicle

@sfchronicle.com

The Golden State Valkyries held the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces to their fewest points all season to win Game 1 of their semifinal series 71-60 on Sunday at Chase Center.

112h ago

3 sources

sfchronicle.comValkyries’ aggression pays off with decisive Game 1 win over Aces in WNBA semifinals eastbaytimes.comValkyries shut down starry Aces in Game 1 to take series lead mercurynews.comValkyries shut down starry Aces in Game 1 to take series lead

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Golden State Valkyries beat Las Vegas Aces 71-60 in WNBA semifinal Game 1

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