Valkyries takeaways: Return to Vegas for Martin, Nakase, Hayes spoiled by Aces
LAS VEGAS The Valkyries first trip to the Las Vegas strip was a homecoming for several members of the WNBA s newest organization The last time Natalie Nakase coached in Las Vegas she was the top assistant on an Aces crew that captured back-to-back WNBA titles and boasted a highly touted defense She returned as the leader of another vexing defensive unit on Saturday but this time she patrolled the sidelines as the head coach of her own unit with postseason ambitions Goosebumps and it s going to be a family reunion and obviously wearing different jerseys Nakase noted before the tournament But yeah it feels good Her Valkyries had shut down Caitlin Clark and the Fever on Wednesday and now faced the league s greatest athlete A ja Wilson at the court in Mandalay Bay Casino That vaunted defense was strained by Wilson and Jackie Young who combined for points in a - domination over the expansion Valkyries The Valkyries led - at halftime but the high-powered Aces were able to find space in the second half The visitors kept it close trailing just - with remaining after Veronica Burton s triple from straightaway and - on Janelle Salaun s layup Burton tied the tally at with two minutes remaining on an and- layup but Young responded with a jumper and a scoop finish to push the lead back to four A couple Aces free throws gave Las Vegas a - lead but Cecilia Zandalasini dropped in a -pointer to make it - with seconds left Young made two more free throws to keep the Valkyries at bay Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes and Golden State Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini defend against Las Vegas Aces guard Aaliyah Nye during the first half of a WNBA basketball meeting Saturday July in Las Vegas Steve Marcus Las Vegas Sun via AP Tiffany Hayes facing her former organization made a leaning -pointer to cut the deficit to just two again with seven seconds on the clock Young made two more free throws and the Valkyries buzzer-beating two was too little too late Salaun and Hayes led Golden State in scoring with apiece and Temi Fagbenle scored as Golden State dropped to - The Valkyries finished their four-game trip with a - record They will play host to Phoenix on Monday Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson loses control of the ball after being fouled by Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton left during the first half of a WNBA basketball challenge Saturday July in Las Vegas Steve Marcus Las Vegas Sun via AP Tiffany Hayes Kate Martin also back Nakase was not the only former member of the Aces returning to old stomping grounds Hayes now a starter in the Bay Area spent last season coming off the bench in Las Vegas and was named the Sixth Woman of the Year Hayes connected on four triples obviously content with the rims in Las Vegas and also scored a layup over Wilson in the second half Meanwhile Kate Martin took on the franchise that picked her in the second round last season She scored eight points while facing former Iowa teammate Megan Gustafson A ja Wilson torches Valkyries Wilson was questionable with a right wrist injury entering Saturday s showdown but after going through a full warmup she suited up and started Related Articles Valkyries throttle Indiana Caitlin Clark in big road win Valkyries to face Caitlin Clark when star returns from injury on Wednesday Valkyries now - after losing road meeting to Atlanta Thornton selected as Golden State Valkyries first All-Star Valkyries begin road swing with loss to Minnesota The Valkyries had held Wilson to -of- shooting and just points in their first matchup unveiling their trademark defensive scheme that prioritized cutting off the paint at all costs The Valkyries won that championship - It didn t work quite as well in the rematch Playing as the center in a -in- -out offense Wilson torched the Valkyries in the mid-post burying fadeaways and bullying Golden State at the rim en highway to first-half points Wilson scored overall while also grabbing a game-high rebounds
