The Valkyries, trailing the season series and desperate to halt their slide, roared out of the gate. Thornton was unstoppable, pouring in 22 points and snatching 11 rebounds, while Burton orchestrated the offense with poise, finishing with a stat line that electrified the home crowd. Monique Billings added her own double-double to the mix, helping Golden State dominate the boards and the paint.
The Aces, led by superstars like A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young, struggled to find rhythm. Their shooting went cold under the Valkyries’ relentless pressure, and every Las Vegas run was met with an emphatic Golden State response. The 27-point margin echoed the Valkyries’ earlier Commissioner’s Cup triumph at Chase Center, where they had similarly humbled the Aces.
This win wasn’t just about snapping a losing streak—it was about restoring belief. The Valkyries’ home-court advantage at Chase Center has become a fortress, a place where even the league’s best struggle to breathe. As WNBA analysts have noted, Golden State’s resilience under first-year head coach Natalie Nakase is turning heads across the league.
The drama is far from over. With the season series tightening and both teams locked in a fierce battle for playoff positioning, their next clash promises even more fireworks. The Aces, still holding a slim edge in the standings and coming off a 101-77 rout in their last home meeting, will be hungry for revenge. But if the Valkyries’ performance on June 7 is any indication, the path to victory in the West may well run through Golden State—and through the hearts of players like Thornton, Burton, and Billings.
For live updates, highlights, and in-depth stats from their electrifying battles, visit ESPN’s Aces vs. Valkyries coverage and follow the Golden State Valkyries official schedule as the race to the playoffs intensifies.