LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 9: Kaila Charles #6 of the Golden State Valkyries drives to the basket during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during Semi-Finals Game 3 on October 9, 2026 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS — A’ja Wilson had 21 points. Chelsea Gray had 17. And Jackie Young had 18, including the layup to send Game 3 into overtime.
None of them would ever be considered expendable. Yet it was Kayla Thornton who scored 18 points for the Valkyries, who had been left unprotected in the expansion draft. Tiffany Hayes, who left this Aces team after one season in 2024 and joined the Valkyries as their first free agent signing, added 11 points off the bench. And Gabby Williams, who had felt she was underappreciated by her former teams until the Valkyries leaned on her as a true star, scored more points in overtime (eight) than the Aces did as a team (six).
That was the group that won a decisive Game 3 to complete a sweep of the defending champions and send the Valkyries to the WNBA Finals in just their second season ever.
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