Dallas Wings and Golden State Valkyries win as Australian trio experience vastly different nights

Dallas Wings 95 def. Las Vegas Aces 87 (Final)

Quarter Scores

Q1: Dallas 21 – Las Vegas 26Q2: Dallas 24 – Las Vegas 27Q3: Dallas 27 – Las Vegas 19Q4: Dallas 23 – Las Vegas 15

Halftime: Las Vegas 53 – Dallas 45

The Dallas Wings continued their strong start to the season, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 95-87 at home despite being without Australian centre Alanna Smith, who missed the game through illness.

Australian forward Stephanie Talbot started for the Aces and made an immediate impact before a short outing, finishing with two points, three rebounds and one assist in seven minutes.

Dallas improved to 5-3 behind a dominant performance from Jessica Shepard, who produced one of the most complete games of the young season with 22 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. It’s her second of the season and she became the first player in franchise history to record a 20-20-10 triple-double.

The Wings had five players score in double figures. Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers each scored 20 points, while Awak Kuier added 12 points and two blocks off the bench.

Las Vegas received 21 points from A’ja Wilson and 15 from Jackie Young but could not overcome Dallas’ efficiency. The Wings shot 49% from the field, 45% from three-point range and 19-of-22 from the free-throw line, while also winning the rebound battle 39-33.

Australians

Stephanie Talbot (Las Vegas Aces)

Minutes: 7Points: 2Rebounds: 3Assists: 1FG: 1-from-13PT: 0-from-0FT: 0-of-0

Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings)
Did not play – illness.

By the Numbers

Dallas Wings

Jessica Shepard – 22 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assistsAzzi Fudd – 22 points, 3-from-5 three-point shootingPaige Bueckers – 20 points, 6 assists

Las Vegas Aces

A’ja Wilson – 21 points, 7 reboundsJackie Young – 15 points, 7 assistsChennedy Carter – 14 points in 19 minutes off the bench

Dallas outscored Las Vegas 50-34 in the second half to erase an eight-point halftime deficit and secure its fifth win of the season.

Golden State Valkyries 90 def. Indiana Fever 88 (Final)

Quarter Scores

Q1: Golden State 21 – Indiana 14Q2: Golden State 23 – Indiana 30Q3: Golden State 21 – Indiana 23Q4: Golden State 25 – Indiana 21

Halftime: Golden State 44 – Indiana 44

The Golden State Valkyries improved to 5-2 with a hard-fought 90-88 win over the Indiana Fever at Chase Center, holding off a late rally despite 16 points from Caitlin Clark.

Australian development player Miela Sowah did not suit up for Golden State and was unavailable for selection.

The Valkyries were led by Veronica Burton, who delivered one of the best performances of her career with 25 points, six rebounds, five blocks and three assists. Gabby Williams added 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals, while French forward Janelle Salaun contributed 19 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Indiana received balanced scoring across its rotation. Clark finished with 16 points, six assists and three steals, while rookie guard Raven Johnson scored 16 points on 7-from-10 shooting off the bench. Kelsey Mitchell added 14 points and Aliyah Boston recorded 13 points and six rebounds.

Golden State won the game at the foul line, converting 20-of-28 free throws compared to Indiana’s 19-of-21, while also holding a 37-34 rebounding advantage.

Australians

Miela Sowah (Golden State Valkyries)
Did not suit up (development player).

By the Numbers

Golden State Valkyries

Veronica Burton – 25 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assistsGabby Williams – 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 stealsJanelle Salaun – 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3-from-5 from three

Indiana Fever

Caitlin Clark – 16 points, 6 assists, 3 stealsRaven Johnson – 16 points on 7-from-10 shootingKelsey Mitchell – 14 points

The Valkyries have now won five of their first seven games in franchise history, continuing an impressive start to their inaugural WNBA season.