Wilson's 28 points and 15 rebounds power Aces past Valkyries

Las Vegas Aces defender Chelsea Gray (12), halfway A'ja Wilson (22) and defender Jackie Young (0) ticker from the seat during the 2nd fractional of an WNBA hoops crippled against the Phoenix Mercury astatine T-Mobile Arena Saturday, May 9, 2026. Photo by: Steve Marcus

SAN FRANCISCO — A'ja Wilson had 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks, Jackie Young added 23 points and 9 assists, and the Las Vegas Aces bushed the Golden State Valkyries 91-81 connected Sunday.

The triumph was the 150th of Becky Hammon's coaching career, and it made her the second-fastest manager to scope the milestone. Hammon did it successful 205 games — 7 down Van Chancellor's grounds acceptable erstwhile helium coached the Houston Comets.

Young made 9 of 17 from the field, 5 of 9 from 3-point range, and grabbed 7 rebounds. NaLyssa Smith had 15 points and 9 rebounds for the Aces (5-3), the defending WNBA champions.

Gabby Williams led the Valkyries (5-3) with 20 points, Janelle Salaun added 16 and Kayla Thornton 12.

Las Vegas led 43-41 astatine halftime earlier Wilson had 13 points and Young 11 successful the 3rd 4th arsenic the Aces outscored Golden State 29-13 to instrumentality an 18-point pb into the fourth. The Valkyries made conscionable 3 of 17 (18%) from the tract and committed 5 turnovers successful the period.

Williams deed a 3-pointer that capped and 11-0 tally and trimmed Golden State's shortage to 85-74 with 1:52 near successful the game. Salaun made 2 escaped throws and past deed a 3 that made it an eight-point crippled astir a infinitesimal later, but the Valkyries ne'er got closer.

The Valkyries, who went into the crippled allowing a WNBA-low 78 points per game, gave up a season-high 91 points.

Golden State's Veronica Burton went to the seat with astir 3 1/2 minutes remaining and was successful evident discomfort arsenic she grabbed astatine her near thigh. The team’s starring scorer astatine 15.9 per game, Burton had 7 points and 5 assists. There was nary contiguous connection connected the grade of her injury.

Chennedy Carter took a mates of hard falls successful the archetypal half, walked dilatory to locker country astatine halftime and played conscionable 1 infinitesimal successful the 3rd 4th earlier leaving the game. Carter finished with six points successful 9 minutes.