The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Las Vegas Aces 71-60 in Game 1 of the semifinals series at Chase Center on Sunday afternoon. Gabby Williams offensive efforts continued to impress as she tallied 25 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the postseason. The Valkyries largest advantage reached 13 points and the Aces never led by more than three points. Owning the glass, Golden State had three players record double figures in rebounds and tallied a franchise-high 52 in the contest.

The Valkyries' second unit outscored the Aces' bench 27-7, led by Kaitlyn Chen recording 11 points, the only other player in double-digits behind Williams. The Aces were held to their lowest scoring percentage of the whole season, shooting 33.9%.

WILLIAMS' PLAYOFFS HEAT CHECK
Gabby Williams continued her postseason hot shooting streak by getting off to a fast start against the Aces. She drained back-to-back triples and sank a mid-range jumper over A'ja Wilson to put up eight points halfway through the opening frame. By halftime, she tallied 15 points and three triples.

Williams recorded her first ever playoff double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds and had a team-high five assists over 34 minutes played.

STOKES CONTROLS THE BOARDS
Kiah Stokes set the tone early on, recording seven rebounds in the first frame, tying her postseason high for most in a quarter. Across the first half, she tallied nine rebounds and three blocks, marking only the second player in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs to do so, tied with the Aces' A'ja Wilson.

Stokes finished the game with 14 rebounds and two assists.

FIRST HALF FLOW
The Valkyries gained some momentum in the first half, going on a 17-7 scoring run across the final minute of the first and into the second quarter. Gabby Williams led the way, scoring 10 points and recording an assist on a Kaitlyn Chen 3-pointer.

On defense, the Valkyries held the Aces to just 3-for-11 from the field during their nine minute scoring run. As a team, they recorded 25 rebounds, tying their postseason-high for most in a half.

GUEYE SHINES IN GAME 1
After playing just 10 minutes in the first round of playoffs, and four minutes in the regular season, Aminata Gueye made an impact in Game 1 of the semifinals. Gueye checked in with three minutes left in the first quarter and went on to play a career-high 12 minutes. Her time on the court was highlighted by an electric and-1 play in the third quarter where she finished a tough layup under the rim off a dime from Gabby Williams that had Ballhalla erupting in applause.

Staying locked in on the defensive end, Gueye tallied a pair of steals and a block.

"She's fearless", Gabby Williams said on Gueye postgame, "She works really really hard and that's exactly what our identity is so I think that's why she fits in so well".

Aminata Gueye ended the game with nine points, scoring seven of those in the third quarter, and shot 4-for-5 from the field.

SALAÜN HONORED WITH AWARD PREGAME
Before tipoff on Sunday, Janelle Salaün was presented with the Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award, which was announced by the league earlier that day. Salaün was unanimously voted for by a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. A heartfelt tribute video from her family and friends congratulating her was shown on the video board and Salaün was swarmed by her teammates on the court once she was handed her glass trophy.

UP NEXT
The Valkyries will host the second game of the semifinals series against the Las Vegas Aces at Chase Center on Wednesday, Oct. 7 (6:30 p.m.; WATCH: Peacock/NBC Sports Network).