Overview
- The Golden State Valkyries beat the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series after Game 2 on Wednesday.
- Tiffany Hayes delivered a game-high 21 points in roughly 16–17 minutes off the bench on six-of-10 shooting and a perfect eight-for-eight at the line.
- Golden State’s bench has been decisive, producing 34 points through two games with Hayes alone outscoring the Aces’ bench 21-14.
- Coach Natalie Nakase’s recruitment and team culture helped lure Hayes to the expansion Valkyries and her leadership has been cited by teammates as a major spark.
- The Aces must win Game 3 in Las Vegas to avoid elimination, a pressure point that follows their first-round series win that featured A’ja Wilson’s 36-point game.