Former Aces center the difference maker for Valkyries in Game 1

Former Aces center Kiah Stokes made an immediate impact for the Golden State Valkyries in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals, helping hold Las Vegas to a season‑low point total. Stokes logged 27 minutes, pulling down 14 rebounds—seven on the offensive end—and blocking four shots as the Valkyries secured a 71‑60 victory. Las Vegas managed just 34 percent shooting and was outrebounded 52‑25, with Golden State grabbing 17 offensive boards. When asked how the Valkyries slowed the defending champions, Gabby Williams pointed to her left and said, “The secret’s close here,” praising Stokes. Stokes herself noted, “I know what I can bring to this team,” and added, “This is here or never. There’s not a lot of time to think too much about it. I just had to do it. This was a team win.” Stokes, a longtime Aces cornerstone who helped Las Vegas win three titles in four seasons, saw her role diminish after the acquisition of NaLyssa Smith, dropping to a career‑low 12.9 minutes per game. At 33, she signed with the Valkyries and averaged 22.3 minutes during the regular season—the most she has played since 2020 with the New York Liberty. In the three regular‑season meetings against Las Vegas, Stokes collected 14 total rebounds, two of those losses coming by double digits. A’ja Wilson shot 8 of 21 for 24 points and finished with just four rebounds. After moving into second place all‑time for playoff double‑doubles following the clinching Game 3 versus Indiana, Wilson’s rebound total in Game 1 remained low. Stokes, Williams and Kayla Thornton combined for 36 rebounds. “A’ja is obviously a great player, a four‑time MVP, possibly five,” Stokes said. “Sometimes you just got to make an intentional effort. You’ve got to slow her down as much as possible. She’s a great player.” Golden State’s defense, which ranks league‑best at 75.1 points per game, leaned heavily on Stokes, who started 43 regular‑season contests. Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who served as an assistant to Aces coach Becky Hammon for three seasons, called Stokes “MVP of the game, if I had to say. Her matching up with A’ja is simply a truly pugnacious task and I thought she did an astonishing job.” Hammon attributed the loss to rebounding, calling it more a “discipline” matter than fatigue. She remarked, “We played like ass and only lost by 10. Dissect that however you want.” **Up next** Who: Aces at Valkyries What: WNBA semifinals, Game 2 (GSV leads 1‑0) When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Where: Chase Center, San Francisco TV: NBC Sports Network Streaming: Peacock Line: Valkyries –1.5; full 157½