Kayla Thornton helps Valkyries rout Aces
Cecilia Zandalasini scored 18 points, Monique Billings added 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, while Veronica Burton recorded 14 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds as the Valkyries ended a four-game losing streak.
Leading into Saturday's game, Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase was shocked by her team's lack of energy in their last game, a loss to the Phoenix Mercury, and her team responded in a big way. Golden State pushed the pace from the opening jump and outscored the Aces by 16-0 in the first half on fast-break points and 10 forced turnovers.
Golden State's lead pushed to 49-28 at halftime when Kate Martin took the last shot and hit a deep 3-point attempt which left Las Vegas stunned heading into the halftime locker room. The Valkyries held a 34-15 advantage in the second quarter.
The Valkyries' defense held the visitors to 29 percent shooting from the floor to start the game but the Aces adjusted at halftime and head coach Becky Hammon's side opted to push into the paint to try and get to the free-throw line. It worked on the offensive end of the court and Las Vegas trimmed its deficit to 18 points, but defensively could not stop Golden State.
Las Vegas never had a lead in the game, and was down by as many as 29 points in the third quarter, despite having three-time MVP A'ja Wilson on the roster. The Aces won two WNBA championships over the past three seasons.
Wilson scored 17 points in the defeat, with 16 points by Chelsea Gray, the only two Las Vegas starters to reach double-digit points. First-year Aces guard and WNBA champion Jewell Loyd struggled offensively and went 1-of-6 from the floor with five points.
The win is the first Commissioner's Cup victory in the Valkyries' history and most points scored in a game for Golden State in its eight-game history.
Field Level Media
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Paige Bueckers and A'ja Wilson share courtside moments with legendary athlete Usain Bolt as Aces beat Wings
Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson and Usain Bolt. Image via: Joe Buglewicz | Thien-An Truong | Asanka Ratnayake/ Getty Images The Las Vegas Aces might have stolen the game, but it was Usain Bolt who stole the show. Sprinting icon and eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt made a surprise courtside appearance during Sunday's matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings. What followed was a heartwarming set of moments as WNBA stars Paige Bueckers and A'ja Wilson shared emotional fan interactions with the fastest man on earth, setting the arena abuzz beyond the scoreboard. Usain Bolt brings star power to the WNBA, sparks reactions from Paige Bueckers and A'ja Wilson Before tipoff, Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers had a 'bucket list' moment. The 22-year-old point guard approached Bolt with a big smile and got his autograph on her jersey. The official Dallas Wings account shared the heartwarming clip on X, highlighting the meeting. Although Bueckers didn't suit up due to the team's cautious load management strategy, her excitement was hard to miss. A'ja Wilson also had her own fangirl moment during pregame warmups. In a video that quickly went viral, Wilson rushed up to Bolt and gushed, 'You the GOAT. Oh my God! It's so nice to meet you.' The two posed for a photo together before Wilson headed to the locker room, clearly energized by the surreal encounter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Aces dominate as Wings struggle without Paige Bueckers Despite the buzz off the court, the Wings had little to celebrate on it. The Las Vegas Aces routed Dallas 106-80, handing the Wings their 19th loss of the season. With Bueckers sidelined — missing her sixth game due to injury management — Dallas lacked offensive rhythm and leadership on the floor. They are now 1-5 without her, underlining her critical role despite being a rookie. A'ja Wilson didn't post huge numbers this time around, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, but her presence was felt. Jackie Young led the Aces with 24 points, while Kelsey Plum and Loyd chipped in with strong bench contributions. Meanwhile, Teaira McCowan recorded her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Haley Jones also impressed off the bench, scoring a season-high 15 points. Dallas now looks to bounce back quickly as they host the New York Liberty on Monday night in the second game of a back-to-back. Also Read: 'Our family couldn't be happier' – Caroline Wozniacki and David Lee share heartfelt emotions as they quietly welcome third child, Max FAQs Did Paige Bueckers play in the game against the Aces? No, she sat out due to load management. What did A'ja Wilson say to Usain Bolt? "You the GOAT. Oh my God! It's so nice to meet you.' Who led the Las Vegas Aces in scoring? Jackie Young led with 24 points. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors Target $35.25 Million Toronto Raptors Big Man as Al Horford Backup Plan
Golden State Warriors at Chicago Bulls (Image via Imagn) The Golden State Warriors are actively scouting alternatives as veteran Al Horford considers retirement and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga remains unsigned. With Kevon Looney's departure to the New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State faces mounting pressure to reinforce its frontcourt—and one name rising to the top is 2-time NBA champion Chris Boucher . Uncertainty Surrounding Horford and Kuminga The Golden State Warriors have been eyeing 39-year-old Al Horford as a replacement for Looney, hoping his experience and leadership can help stabilize the team's interior defense. However, Kuminga's unresolved contract situation has complicated the process. Golden State is hesitant to finalize any deals before resolving Kuminga's holdout, which has become a key bottleneck in their offseason plans. ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel shed light on the situation: 'The main reason Horford and Melton, or any other player, have yet to sign with the Warriors is because of Kuminga's holdout,' Siegel wrote Friday. (H/t: Sporting News) Chris Boucher (Image via Getty) Horford's uncertain status, with retirement reportedly on the table, adds another layer of complexity. If Horford chooses to walk away from the game or sign elsewhere, the Golden State Warriors are already considering contingency plans. Backup Options in the Wings: Chris Boucher and Trey Lyles Should Horford opt out, the Golden State Warriors have two primary candidates lined up: 1. Chris Boucher 2. Trey Lyles While both are currently waiting in free agency, Golden State seems to be the only team linked to Al Horford at this stage, especially after the conclusion of Summer League. Why Chris Boucher Fits the Golden State Warriors' System Chris Boucher stands out as a high-upside option due to his offensive versatility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo The 32-year-old forward, listed at 6-foot-9, has steadily grown into a modern NBA big man with a reliable shooting stroke and solid ball-handling ability. Chris Boucher's 2023-24 Season Stats Games Played Points Per Game Rebounds Per Game 3PT% 3PA (Carrer High) 50 10.0 4.5 36.3% 3.9 Boucher's shooting range and agility could make him an ideal fit for the Warriors' motion-heavy offense. He isn't known for defensive dominance like Horford, but his ability to space the floor would complement Stephen Curry and help create more driving lanes and scoring opportunities. Trey Lyles: Another Viable Option Trey Lyles, a 10-year veteran, is also in the conversation. Known for his catch-and-shoot ability, Lyles would give the Golden State Warriors a different type of offensive tool—less dynamic off the dribble but more suited for spot-up shooting. Still, between the two, Boucher's all-around skillset may align better with Golden State's system. What's Next for Golden State? As Golden State navigates this turbulent offseason, the franchise must first resolve Kuminga's holdout before making any major roster decisions. But in the event that Horford declines their offer or retires, fans should expect swift movement on Boucher or Lyles. Brett Siegel summed it up best: 'Until Horford signs, these two are forced to wait in free agency.' Also read: NBA Free Agency Rumors: New York Knicks predicted to land $50 million Orlando Magic star to boost bench depth and improve title odds The clock is ticking, and the Golden State Warriors are clearly not sitting idle. Whether it's Horford, Boucher, or Lyles, Golden State appears determined to plug the void left by Looney and set itself up for a bounce-back campaign. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Valkyries hope to end modest skid vs. Paige Bueckers, Wings
The Golden State Valkyries aim to pull out of a three-game losing skid that sent them into the WNBA All-Star break when they welcome the Dallas Wings to San Francisco on Friday. HT Image Golden State (10-12) fell to ninth place in the league standings and out of the playoff picture for now. The Valkyries dropped back-to-back one-possession heartbreakers at Las Vegas (104-102) and vs. Phoenix (78-77). In their most recent outing, July 16 at Seattle, the Valkyries scored a franchise-low 58 points in a nine-point loss to the Storm. Despite the slump, which has Golden State a half-game behind Washington for the eighth and final playoff spot, Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton told ESPN that the first-year franchise has "surpassed" what the team set out to do. "I thought it was going to take us a little more time to get to know each other, to get to know the system," Thornton said. The latest blow to Golden State involves Thornton, who underwent season-ending knee surgery on Friday. Thornton was injured during practice earlier this week. Thornton leads Golden State with career-best averages of 14.0 points and seven rebounds per game. She is also one of three Valkyrie players averaging more than a steal per game, along with Veronica Burton and Temi Fagbenle, contributing to Golden State's defensive yield of 78 points per contest. Only league-leading Minnesota has been stingier, holding opponents to 74.7 points an outing. But the Valkyries rank near the bottom of the league in offense at 79.1 points per game, contributing to their ups and downs -- with the downs including an 80-71 loss the last time they faced Dallas. The Wings (7-17), ahead of only Connecticut in the league standings, have had a trying season thus far. However, their June 17 home win over Golden State ended a seven-game losing streak and kicked off a current stretch of .500 basketball. Dallas is 6-6 since that meeting, including an 87-63 blowout of Seattle on Tuesday in the Wings' return from the All-Star break. Arike Ogunbowale scored 20 points in the win, bumping her season average to 15.9 points per game. She scored 19 in Dallas' defeat of Golden State. Rookie Paige Bueckers, fresh off her first All-Star Game appearance, scored 20 last time out vs. Golden State, part of a sensational start to the No. 1 overall pick's career that reached a new milestone on Tuesday. With her 14 points and six assists at Seattle, Bueckers matched Caitlin Clark for the fastest to 300 career points and 100 career assists. She's also scored in double figures in all 19 games she's played. "It's all a credit to them and how we continue to play team basketball," Bueckers said. "Not one of us are going to go out of the rhythm and hunt our own shots and chase our own points and make sure our stats our great. When we play team basketball like that, things will end the way they're supposed to." --Field Level Media
