The Aces get their best chance yet to fix a weird split on Saturday, June 6. Las Vegas is 6-1 on the road but still hunting its first home win, and the Golden State Valkyries come to Michelob ULTRA Arena for a noon PT tip.
After the last meeting turned on paint control and a third-quarter avalanche, the Aces have a simple target again: win the middle, finish possessions, and stay clean with the ball.
Aces-Valkyries rematch comes with a blueprint
Golden State made 16 threes in the last meeting and still lost 91-81 because Las Vegas owned the 2-point game. The Aces won points in the paint 38-16, and they held the Valkyries to 9-for-39 on 2-pointers.
The swing arrived after halftime. Las Vegas led 43-41 at the break, then ripped a 29-13 third quarter that decided it. A’ja Wilson powered the matchup with 28 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks, while Jackie Young kept the pressure on with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists.
One clear cleanup item remains, though. The Aces had 15 turnovers in that win, and Golden State turned them into 14 points. If Las Vegas protects it at noon, the Valkyries lose their easiest path to rhythm threes.
Diggins lifts Sky, and Chicago finally breathes
Chicago beat Connecticut 85-80 on Friday night to end a five-game losing streak. Skylar Diggins scored 24 points and did most of her damage early, with 18 in the first half. Then, Elizabeth Williams delivered the closing touch with two key baskets in the final minute.
For Connecticut, Diamond Miller and Brittney Griner scored 16 apiece, and Aneesah Morrow pulled down 17 rebounds. However, the Sun shot 4-for-18 from 3, and that miss rate kept them chasing late.
Wings keep rolling, and the Sparks take another hit
Dallas beat Los Angeles 104-96 on Friday night behind star power and a steady flow of assists. Arike Ogunbowale scored 30 points and hit six 3s, while Paige Bueckers posted 18 points and a career-high 14 assists. Jessica Shepard added 22 points and 15 rebounds as Dallas stayed hot.