Gabby Williams exploded for a career-high 27 points and the Valkyries clung to a one-point lead with 38 seconds remaining, but were unable to close it out, falling to the Las Vegas Aces 84-79 at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Saturday. Veronica Burton gave the Valkyries the lead, banking in a left-handed layup with 38 seconds left, but four-time All-Star Jackie Young cashed in her sixth 3-pointer of the game with 24 seconds left, draining a step-back over Janelle Salaün's outstretched fingertips that put the Aces up two points. Then, Burton was fouled on another drive to the basket and split her two free throws, leaving Golden State down a point. Young sank two free throws and the Valkyries missed the potential game-tying 3-pointer which ultimately sealed their fate. 

Williams made a game-high 10 field goals, shooting 10-for-17 from the field, 3-for-7 from behind the arc and 4-for-5 from the foul line. Young matched Williams’ scoring output for the Aces, finishing with 27 points, six 3-pointers, five rebounds and five assists. She scored 14 of those 27 points in the fourth quarter, which is a career-high mark. Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson led all scorers with 28 points while grabbing a game-best 14 rebounds. For the Valkyries, Burton (15 points), Salaün (11 points) and Kayla Thornton (10 points) joined Williams, scoring in double figures. 

With the loss, the Valkyries fall to 1-2 in Commissioner’s Cup play, with two down-to-the-wire losses by a combined margin of just eight points. In both of their losses to high-caliber opponents, they had a chance to tie the score in the final five seconds. 

“I think after both losses, with Minnesota and Las Vegas, we're facing great talent, greatly experienced teams that have heavy minutes in the playoffs and so honestly, I am really proud of our team," Head Coach Natalie Nakase expressed postgame. "We're going into our second year and I told them, even after the Minnesota game, we are progressing in the right direction. We're building a great outlook in terms of our minutes and understanding the importance of every possession.”

VALKYRIES FIND SHOOTING STROKE IN 2ND QUARTER
The Valkyries were cold to open the game, shooting just 1-for-9 from deep and 6-for-20 overall in the first quarter. Gabby Williams opened the game with a steal-and-score and made the team’s lone 3-pointer in the frame. However, Golden State was able to get back on track in the second quarter. Kayla Thornton sank back-to-back threes less than two minutes into the quarter, Janelle Salaün added a pair of 3-pointers and Veronica Burton also hit from downtown as five of the Valkyries’ seven made field goals in the second quarter were threes. Their perimeter shooting helped them pull within three points at halftime despite A’ja Wilson’s 20 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes. 

WILLIAMS HELPS GOLDEN STATE TO LARGEST LEAD IN 4TH QUARTER
The Valkyries took their first lead since it was 2-0 courtesy of a Tiffany Hayes step-back triple at the 8:48 mark in the fourth quarter. Including Hayes’ 3-pointer, Golden State rattled off 13 straight points to take the lead. The lead went back and forth throughout the final frame as the two teams exchanged haymakers. The Valkyries’ largest lead of the game was a four-point advantage with 3:03 remaining and as she was for the majority of the game, Gabby Williams was the catalyst, scoring six of Golden State’s eight points over a 66-second span. Williams tied the game at 70 with a step-back three and then Veronica Burton regained the lead for the Valkyries with a three-point play. Williams turned that one-point advantage to four with a corner 3-pointer that gave her a new career-high. Her previous high was a 26-point outing with the Chicago Sky against the Phoenix Mercury in 2018. 

"I think this is a perfect fit for her, because she wanted to step into this organization at a time in her career where she's like, I want more, I might want more responsibility," Nakase said.

UP NEXT
The Valkyries return to Chase Center to host the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday as they continue Commissioner's Cup play. All fans in attendance on Tuesday will receive a Valkyries T-Shirt, presented by Kaiser Permanente.

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