The Valkyries bring their 2-0 semifinals series lead to Las Vegas on Friday, needing one more win over the Aces to advance to the WNBA Finals. Golden State looks to knock off the defending WNBA champions in its quest for its first title in just its second season. The Aces have won three of the last four WNBA championships and need to win both home games to force a winner-take-all Game 5. 

On the other side of the bracket, the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream have taken a 2-0 series lead over the New York Liberty and are also one win away from making the finals. Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese has been a difference-maker in her first season with the Dream and during her first playoff run overall. Regardless of who wins the Dream vs. Liberty matchup, the Valkyries would host the first two games of the WNBA Finals if they advance. 

Valkyries vs. Aces
Friday, Oct. 9 | Tipoff: 6:30 p.m.
WATCH: Peacock/NBC Sports Network
LISTEN: 95.7 The Game, ESPN 1320, The Audacy App

LAST TIME OUT
The Valkyries beat the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 in thrilling fashion on Wednesday night at Chase Center. A momentum shifting fourth quarter allowed the Aces to gain the lead for the first time all game with two minutes left. The Valkyries quickly responded with back-to-back clutch baskets from Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton that ultimately led to a crucial Game 2 victory in Ballhalla.  » Full Game Recap 

GAME 2 TAKEAWAYS:
Hayes' Historically Efficient 21-Point Game
Tiffany Hayes has six career playoff games with more than 20 points and matched her 2026 postseason high with her second 21-point outing on Wednesday. Hayes is the second player in WNBA playoff history to score 20 or more points in 16 or fewer minutes, with teammate Cecilia Zandalasini as the first, accomplishing the feat in Game 1 of the Valkyries’ first-round series against the Dallas Wings. 

Stokes a Beast On The Boards
Kiah Stokes has made WNBA playoff history, grabbing 21 rebounds over the first two games of this series, the most rebounds in a playoff series ever by a player without scoring a point. Stokes also had the game-sealing block, which prevented the Aces from tying the game after they secured an offensive rebound with three seconds left in a one-possession game. 

Strength in Numbers
The Valkyries’ depth has been on display all year long, and it’s continued to fuel them in the postseason. In Game 2, the Valkyries’ reserves outscored the Aces’ second unit by 20 points, 34-14. Every Valkyrie that came off the bench scored, while just two of the six reserves did for the Aces. Nine Valkyries played double-digit minutes, including four reserves  — Tiffany Hayes (16 MIN), Kaila Charles (16 MIN), Aminata Gueye (13 MIN), and Kaitlyn Chen (12 MIN). 

WILSON WINS THIRD STRAIGHT MVP
The WNBA announced on Thursday that A’ja Wilson was named league MVP for the third consecutive season and fifth time overall. Wilson has won the most MVPs in WNBA history and is the league’s only player to do so in three straight years. She led the league in scoring (26.2 PPG) for the third straight season was first in blocks per game (1.4 BPG) for the fifth straight year. Wilson is also first in playoff scoring this season, averaging 28.8 points per contest.