3 Takeaways From Valkyries’ Historic WNBA Finals Berth

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October 10, 2026October 10, 2026By Admin
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3 Takeaways From Valkyries’ Historic WNBA Finals Berth

Valkyries Ride Defensive Dominance, Depth to Sweep of Aces for Historic WNBA Finals Berth

LAS VEGAS — The Golden State Valkyries didn’t simply eliminate the defending WNBA champions. They dismantled the Las Vegas Aces’ championship aspirations with the very qualities that have defined their remarkable rise: suffocating defense, relentless depth and an unwavering belief in one another.

Kiah Stokes block shot on A'ja Wilson
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

In just their second season, the Valkyries completed a stunning three-game semifinals sweep of Las Vegas with an 87-77 overtime win Friday night at Michelob ULTRA Arena, becoming the fastest expansion franchise in WNBA history to reach the Finals.

And they did it in dramatic fashion.

After struggling through the first half, Golden State completely changed the complexion of the game by holding Las Vegas to just seven third-quarter points. The Aces recovered just long enough to force overtime, but the Valkyries found another gear, outlasting a championship-tested opponent that simply couldn’t match their energy late.

Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 18 points and nine rebounds, Gabby Williams added 16 points, and former Aces center Kiah Stokes delivered an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.

Newly crowned MVP A’ja Wilson finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for Las Vegas, while Jackie Young scored 18 and Chelsea Gray added 17.

Gray missed a buzzer-beating attempt in regulation that would have extended the series to a fourth game.

For Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, who helped Las Vegas win back-to-back championships as an assistant under Becky Hammon, the victory carried emotional significance that went well beyond the scoreboard.

Golden State now advances to face the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals, while the Aces enter an offseason filled with questions about what went wrong.

Here are three takeaways from the Valkyries’ historic series-clinching victory.

1. Third Quarter Turnaround

Despite the attention Golden State’s balanced offense has received, the Valkyries’ defense ultimately broke the Aces.

Las Vegas looked comfortable in stretches of the first half, building an 11-point lead while Golden State struggled to match the defensive intensity that had carried it throughout the season.

Then came the third quarter.

The Valkyries unleashed a 17-0 run, holding Las Vegas to just seven points in the period and completely changing the game’s momentum.

The Aces, accustomed to finding answers through their championship-tested stars, suddenly had to fight for every possession.

Nakase said her team seemed distracted by the atmosphere early, prompting a halftime reminder to communicate and stay together.

“We knew we weren’t playing our best defense,” Nakase said. “When we showed some clips, we’re like, ‘Okay, let’s just come out, be us, bring up a level, and communicate and stick together.’”

Carrying It Over

Even after Las Vegas recovered to force overtime, Golden State refused to relinquish its defensive identity.

The Valkyries carried that intensity into the extra period, creating the separation necessary to finish the sweep.

Wilson’s 21 points came on just 6-of-19 shooting, while Young needed 16 attempts to score her 18 points. The Aces shot 26-of-68 overall, finishing at 38.2% from the field.

The significance extended beyond one quarter. Golden State demonstrated that its defensive identity could withstand the pressure of a championship environment, even against an opponent with the experience and talent to punish mistakes.

Hammon acknowledged the difference afterward, praising Nakase’s team while recognizing that Las Vegas never consistently reached the defensive standard necessary to compete for another title.

“If you want to win championships, you need to be a top three, top four defense, and we weren’t this year,” Hammon said.

For Golden State, that defensive standard is no longer an aspiration.

It’s the foundation of a Finals team.

2. Strength In Numbers — with Aces Up Their Sleeve

Golden State’s depth has defined its postseason run, but Nakase revealed another advantage that proved invaluable against Las Vegas: familiarity.

Former Aces Tiffany Hayes and Stokes brought more than championship experience to the Valkyries. They provided firsthand knowledge of the opponent, its tendencies and the adjustments likely to emerge during a tightly contested series.

And their production Friday night was impossible to overlook.

With Hayes’ 11 points, six rebounds and four assists off the bench, the former Aces combined for 22 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists.

Nakase acknowledged that her familiarity with Hammon’s system gave her an advantage, but insisted Stokes’ and Hayes’ contributions were even more significant.

“Being in those spaces, I think we really leaned on Kiah and Tip,” Nakase said. “Even between games we would talk about possible adjustments, and Kiah was pretty right on.”

Stokes, in particular, became an important voice during timeouts, anticipating adjustments and helping teammates recognize what Las Vegas might attempt next.

The Valkyries also benefited from a rotation that allowed them to maintain their aggressive style without exhausting their primary contributors.

Golden State outrebounded Las Vegas 43-35, while Thornton grabbed nine boards and Williams scored 16 points despite playing only 28 minutes.

Meanwhile, Wilson, Young, and Gray combined for more than 127 minutes for the Aces, with Gray logging a game-high 43:11.

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Lessons Learned

Nakase said last season’s injuries, which forced her to rely heavily on seven- and eight-player rotations, convinced her that a more balanced approach was necessary.

“It is our superpower,” Nakase said of the team’s depth. “We empty the tank. That’s a standard that we have.”

That philosophy became especially important in overtime, when Golden State appeared to have more energy despite the series’ emotional and physical demands.

Nakase credited her players for taking ownership of the overtime huddle, recalling the message from veteran leadership.

“This is our time,” Nakase recalled Veronica Burton telling the group. “This is where we leave everything on the floor. This is where we empty the tank.”

It was a fitting conclusion for a team that has made collective responsibility its calling card.

For Stokes and Hayes, it meant helping eliminate the franchise they had previously celebrated championships with.

3. An emotional homecoming

The night’s most compelling storyline wasn’t entirely about basketball.

It was about a coach returning to the building where she experienced some of the greatest moments of her professional life, then walking away after ending the season for the people who helped shape her career.

Nakase spent three seasons alongside Hammon in Las Vegas, helping the Aces capture consecutive WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023.

Friday night, she returned as the architect of an expansion franchise headed to the Finals in just its second season.

And the emotions were overwhelming.

“It’s bittersweet,” Nakase said, admitting she deliberately walked through the arena tunnels with her head down to avoid getting emotional when she saw former colleagues.

She spoke glowingly about Hammon, crediting the Aces coach with giving her an opportunity in the WNBA and helping develop the confidence necessary to become a head coach.

“She showed me that if you lead with your heart, your players will run through a wall for you,” Nakase said.

Nakase also reflected on the impact of Wilson, describing the five-time MVP as one of the most genuine people she has encountered.

She recalled meeting Wilson at a UNLV women’s basketball game and being immediately struck by the superstar’s warmth and authenticity.

“She’s the best player in the world, but really, she’s one of the most genuine human beings,” Nakase said.

Wilson’s influence, Nakase explained, extended well beyond basketball, teaching her the importance of inspiring young people and creating opportunities for future generations.

Emotionally Complicated

Nakase admitted she avoided lengthy conversations with former players because she feared she would begin crying.

Hammon, meanwhile, expressed happiness for her former assistant, acknowledging the extraordinary job Nakase has done in building Golden State into a championship contender.

Their mutual admiration underscored the moment’s significance.

For years, Nakase helped prepare the Aces for the biggest games on the WNBA calendar. She participated in late-night strategy sessions, studied opponents alongside Hammon and helped establish the championship culture that defined Las Vegas basketball.

Now she has taken those lessons, combined them with her own philosophy and built something remarkable in Golden State.

The Valkyries head to the Finals against Atlanta, and Nakase knows the journey isn’t finished.

But Friday night in Las Vegas, surrounded by people she still considers family, she experienced a moment few coaches could have imagined.

She returned to the place where she learned how to win championships.

And left having earned the opportunity to win one of her own.

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