WNBA semifinals · Game 2 final
Valkyries hold off Aces 83-81 and take a 2-0 semifinal lead
October 7 · Final
Updated
Golden State beat Las Vegas 83-81 Wednesday night and took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five WNBA semifinal. The Valkyries are one victory from the first Finals appearance in franchise history.
Tiffany Hayes scored 21 points, Gabby Williams added 20 and Kayla Thornton scored 16. A'ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 24 points and seven rebounds. Chelsea Gray had 19 points and six assists, while Jackie Young added 14 points and eight assists.
Golden State built enough of a cushion
The Valkyries led 42-31 at halftime and pushed the advantage as high as 17. Las Vegas answered with a 26-17 fourth quarter, but the comeback stopped two points short. Golden State's early control became the margin it needed at the end.
The Aces shot 43.9 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three, both better than Golden State's marks. The Valkyries made up ground at the line, going 25-for-27, and received 34 bench points against 14 from Las Vegas.
Las Vegas has no margin left
Game 3 is Friday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern in Las Vegas. Golden State has three chances to close the series. The Aces have to win all three remaining games to return to the Finals.
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