Las Vegas Aces exit after semifinal sweep
The Las Vegas Aces lost 87-77 to the Golden State Valkyries in overtime on Friday, October 9, 2026. The home defeat completed a three-game sweep in the Women’s National Basketball Association semifinals, a best-of-five series.
Golden State entered the series as the No. 2 playoff seed, while Las Vegas held the third position. The result ended the defending champions’ season before another appearance in the league’s championship round this October.
A’ja Wilson expects frustration to linger
A’ja Wilson discussed the Las Vegas Aces’ elimination beside teammate and guard Chelsea Gray during a postgame news conference. The five-time MVP acknowledged her disappointment and described how she expected to feel the following day.
Wilson expected to remain upset 24 hours later, saying, “still gonna be heated.” She also discussed “kicking my feet up” as the offseason began following Las Vegas’ overtime semifinal elimination on Friday night.
A’ja Wilson earns fifth league MVP award
A’ja Wilson received her fifth WNBA Most Valuable Player award on October 8, one day before Las Vegas faced elimination. The honor extended her league record and marked her third consecutive season winning the award.
Wilson collected 65 first-place votes and nine second-place selections from 74 voters, finishing with 713 points in the final ballot. She earned MVP honors in 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025 before adding the 2026 award.
A’ja Wilson leads the 2026 scoring race
A’ja Wilson averaged 26.2 points across 41 regular-season games, leading the WNBA in scoring for the third consecutive year. She also produced 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.4 steals per appearance in 2026.
Las Vegas finished 31-13 as the third seed in the playoffs. Wilson recorded at least 20 points in 33 contests, the third-most in league history, behind Kelsey Mitchell’s 35 in 2026 and her own 34 in 2024.
A’ja Wilson records a double-double
A’ja Wilson finished the deciding semifinal contest with 21 points and 10 rebounds. She converted six of 19 field-goal attempts, making 31.6% of those opportunities during the overtime defeat against Golden State on Friday night.
Her performance placed Wilson alongside DeWanna Bonner as the only WNBA players to reach at least 1,300 career postseason points and 600 rebounds. The individual milestone came in Las Vegas’ final playoff appearance of 2026.
Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young combine for 35
Chelsea Gray scored 17 points, and Jackie Young added 18 in the October 9 semifinal finale. Together with A’ja Wilson’s 21, those Las Vegas starters supplied 56 of their team’s 77 points against Golden State.
Gray scored the Aces’ first eight points of the second quarter, helping her team build a nine-point halftime lead. She entered the break with 15 points after making five of six field-goal attempts that night.
Golden State makes third-quarter comeback
Golden State produced 17 consecutive points in the third quarter, turning a halftime deficit into a 53-47 advantage. Las Vegas scored only seven during that period, following an offensive slowdown after the break on Friday.
Tiffany Hayes started the run with a steal and a pass to Kiah Stokes. Kaitlyn Chen later gave the Valkyries their first lead before assisting another corner three-pointer by the veteran center during that stretch.
Gabby Williams sets up late equalizer
Gabby Williams stole the ball from A’ja Wilson late in the fourth quarter, giving Golden State possession. Kayla Thornton finished the ensuing fast break to tie the score at 69-69 with 1:50 remaining in regulation.
Veronica Burton subsequently put Golden State ahead, but Jackie Young answered with a layup following an inbounds pass. Neither team scored on its last attempt, leaving the game tied 71-71 before overtime in Las Vegas.
Golden State wins overtime by 10 points
Golden State outscored Las Vegas 16-6 during the five-minute overtime session. Gabby Williams contributed eight points for the visitors in the extra period, including a jumper with 54.7 seconds remaining that extended the Valkyries’ lead.
Golden State converted all eight of its free-throw attempts during overtime against Las Vegas. Those trips to the line accounted for half the Valkyries’ 16 points in the extra period, helping preserve their late advantage.
Golden State forces 15 turnovers
Golden State forced 15 Las Vegas turnovers and recorded 12 steals in the deciding semifinal contest. Gabby Williams and Cecilia Zandalasini contributed three takeaways apiece, reflecting the Valkyries’ defensive performance throughout the game’s 45 minutes.
Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 18 points and nine rebounds during Friday’s elimination game. The forward made five of 12 field-goal attempts and converted six of seven free throws in the October 9 victory.
Fun fact: Golden State introduced its raven mascot, Violet, through a mysterious, gold-speckled purple egg that appeared in Thrive City and “hatched” four days later.
Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes beat former team
Kiah Stokes recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds against her former Las Vegas teammates. She made all five field-goal attempts, securing the first playoff double-double of her career during Golden State’s victory on October 9.
Tiffany Hayes previously represented the Aces before joining the Valkyries. She supplied 11 points off the bench for Golden State and passed 500 career postseason points during the series-clinching game on Friday in Las Vegas.
Golden State wins first two semifinal games
Golden State opened the series on October 4 with a 71-60 victory at Chase Center in San Francisco. Gabby Williams scored a game-high 25 points, while Las Vegas posted its lowest scoring total that season.
The Valkyries followed with an 83-81 win on October 7. Veronica Burton made a go-ahead three-pointer with 41 seconds left in regulation, and Kiah Stokes blocked Chelsea Gray’s layup attempt, preserving the hosts’ series advantage.
Wondering why Candace Parker criticized Caitlin Clark during the WNBA playoffs against Las Vegas? Explore what Parker said about Clark’s defense and what happened later in the game.
Golden State prepares for first WNBA Finals
Golden State reached its first WNBA Finals in the franchise’s second season, faster than any previous expansion team. The Valkyries had already made league history by qualifying for the playoffs during their inaugural 2025 campaign.
The Valkyries are scheduled to host the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center on October 17, with tipoff set for 12:30 PM Pacific on NBC. Both clubs approach the best-of-seven series seeking their first WNBA championship.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Clark predicts that overseas WNBA games next year, offering added context on how her influence may extend beyond domestic competition as the league considers broader international opportunities.
A’ja Wilson’s frustration was clear after the Las Vegas Aces’ playoff exit. What do you think went wrong for the defending champions, and can they bounce back next season? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
