Valkyries sweep Aces, will play Dream in WNBA Finals

LAS VEGAS — Kayla Thornton scored 18 factors and the second-year Golden State Valkyries grew to become the quickest growth crew to succeed in the WNBA Finals, sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in additional time Friday night time in Sport 3.

The second-seeded Valkyries can have home-court benefit and can host No. 4 Atlanta starting Oct. 17. The Dream swept New York earlier within the night time, and now groups are 22-0 in playoff historical past when main a collection 2-0.

Las Vegas, which was seeded third, had gained three of the previous 4 championships.

Gabby Williams added 16 factors for the Valkyries, together with eight in additional time. Former Aces Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes every had 11 factors, and Stokes additionally grabbed 10 rebounds.

A’ja Wilson, honoured earlier than night time’s recreation for profitable an unprecedented fifth MVP, scored 21 factors, however on 6-for-19 capturing for the Aces. She additionally had 10 rebounds, becoming a member of DeWanna Bonner as the one gamers with 1,300 factors and 600 rebounds within the postseason.

Jackie Younger added 18 factors and Chelsea Grey 17.

A 17-point run bolted Golden State previous the Aces for a 53-47. Las Vegas closed inside some extent by the tip of the quarter, giving the Aces solely seven factors within the interval.

The Aces led by six factors late within the recreation earlier than the Valkyries evened the rating when Gabby Williams stole the ball from Wilson and Thornton completed with a transition layup to make it 69-69 with 1:50 left.

Golden State then took the lead Veronica Burton’s 9-foot floater with 1:12 remaining. The Aces tied the rating on Grey’s inbound cross to Younger with 27 seconds left and finally compelled additional time.

The additional interval belonged fully to the Valkyries, who outscored the Aces 16-6.