Jewell Loyd delivered a season-high performance with 27 points and seven three-pointers off the bench, helping the Las Vegas Aces recover from a devastating defeat to defeat the Golden State Valkyries 101-77 on Sunday. The win marked a strong response following the Aces’ heavy 111-58 loss to the Minnesota Lynx the previous day.
Key contributors included Jackie Young, who scored 20 points and provided eight assists, and A’ja Wilson, who posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds alongside four steals. The Aces improved to 15-14, showing resilience after suffering one of the worst defeats in WNBA history.
Team Efforts Drive Aces’ Dominance in Season Rematch
Chelsea Gray also added 11 points, six assists, and five rebounds as Las Vegas built a commanding lead, stretching it to as much as 28 points in the first of two back-to-back games against Golden State. Their next matchup is scheduled for Wednesday in San Francisco.
Golden State’s Iliana Rupert was a bright spot with a season-best 17 points, although the Valkyries saw their three-game winning streak snapped. The team finished the five-game road trip with a 3-2 record, despite missing several players due to injury, including Monique Billings, Tiffany Hayes, Cecilia Zandalasini, and All-Star Kayla Thornton, who is out for the season.
Injuries and Fouls Affect Valkyries’ Competitive Edge
The Valkyries’ lineup was further impacted late in the first half when Janelle Salaun was ejected following a flagrant two foul, compounding their challenges. On the offensive side, Golden State struggled from the field, shooting just 34.2 percent overall and hitting 10 of 34 from three-point range.
In contrast, the Aces made 46.1 percent of their shots and converted 18 of 40 attempts from beyond the arc. Loyd’s sharpshooting was a significant factor, as she made seven of 11 three-point tries, including three crucial treys in 84 seconds near the end of the third quarter that boosted Las Vegas’ lead to 76-48.
Game Progression Highlights Jewell Loyd’s Scoring Surge
Las Vegas seized control early by scoring 20 of the final 27 points in the opening quarter, leading 27-14. A three-point play by Wilson stretched the advantage to 43-22 near halftime, with the score at 50-25 at the break. Loyd had already made three three-pointers and tallied 13 points before halftime.
Her pace increased significantly late in the third quarter, and she reached her season-high mark when she sank her seventh three-pointer with just over seven minutes remaining. This scoring output came close to her career-best of nine three-pointers in a game.
Victory Sets Positive Tone for Upcoming Matchup
This convincing bounce-back victory has important implications for the Aces as they aim to maintain momentum going forward in the season. With key players like Loyd firing at a high level and Wilson continuing to dominate inside, Las Vegas looks poised to build on this success in their upcoming contest against the Valkyries in San Francisco.