The number two-seed Valkyries beat the three-seed Aces, 71-60, in game 1 of the WNBA semi-finals and it felt like an upset.
Though Golden State finished the regular season ahead of the Aces, Vegas is generally seen as the favorites in this series. First, because they beat the Valkyries in all three regular season games between the two teams. Second, because they have A’ja Wilson, the four-time MVP. And third because the reigning WNBA champions have something the Valkyries don’t: playoff experience. The Aces were expected to win.
But not today.
It started with a block on Wilson. It was Vegas’ first shot of the game and Kiah Stokes was there to stop it.
Then the Valkyries had three offensive rebounds within the first few minutes of the game. They struggled to score but kept creating opportunities. That was how the first quarter went.
The Aces were shooting over 50% compared to the Valkyries 32% from the floor but the Valkyries’ hustle for every ball meant they took more shots and kept themselves in the game.Â
The exception to the Valks’ initial scoring woes was Gabby Williams. She made 90% of her shots in the first quarter. At one point, the crowd started a “Gabby! Gabby! Gabby!” chant.
Williams’ hot hand didn’t stop in the first quarter. She ended the game with 25 points.
Besides Williams, the Valkyries had other standout performances. Stokes and Thornton each had 11 rebounds, many of them offensive boards.
And then there was the Valkyries’ newest player, Aminata Gueye, who was a kind of secret weapon (the Aces had never played against her before). Gueye joined the team after the FIBA World Cup where she played for France along with Williams and Janelle SalaĂĽn. Her chemistry with Williams was a game changer. Gueye scored nine points, got two rebounds, two steals and a block in her 13 minutes on the court.
It was probably their hustle and skill that won the game today but there was one other X-factor for the Valkyries and that was rapper, Too $hort. After the Valkyries beat the Dallas Wings last Sunday in round one, Williams said she couldn’t lose in front of Too $hort who had performed the half time show that night. He was her favorite artist as a kid. Well, Too $hort was back in the building for the win on Friday and he was here for this one.
Let’s hope, for the Valkyries’ sake, he comes back on Wednesday.
Tip off on Wednesday is at 6:30pm at Chase Center.
