The Las Vegas Aces and Golden State Valkyries meet in today’s lone WNBA game, and the matchup draws interest because of the contrast between an established powerhouse and a promising new contender. The Aces remain one of the league’s top teams and continue to be led by A’ja Wilson, a dominant presence on both ends of the floor and a likely candidate for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year recognition. Even after roster changes, including the departure of Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas has kept a strong core and has already shown the ability to surge after slow starts in past seasons.
The Aces opened this season with a loss to the Mercury, then won four straight before dropping their last two games. Those defeats came against the Sparks and the Wings, but the team is still viewed as capable of turning things around quickly. In May, however, consistency can be less of a priority than long-term form, especially for a veteran team that knows how to peak later in the season.
Golden State enters the game with momentum after an encouraging start to its second WNBA season. The Valkyries finished their inaugural year by drawing strong fan support and setting attendance records, proving that the franchise can succeed in the market. This season, they have backed up that excitement with wins over the Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty, all of whom are expected to be postseason teams. At 5-2, Golden State has emerged as one of the early surprises in the league.
The Valkyries’ offense is built around Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, and Janelle Salaun, who together account for about 45 points per game. Salaun provides scoring off the bench, while the rest of the roster leans on disciplined role players who limit turnovers and stay within the system. That structure has helped the team stay competitive against more established opponents.
Defensively, Golden State faces a major challenge against Wilson. The Aces star has averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds in four games against the Valkyries, and the matchup suggests Las Vegas could have a significant advantage inside. The article also notes that Golden State may be vulnerable to foul trouble if Wilson is allowed to attack freely in the paint.
Another storyline involves officiating. The Aces’ coach Becky Hammon was recently fined after criticizing referees, and the piece suggests that teams sometimes receive a more favorable whistle in the following game. Whether that happens or not, the expectation is that Wilson’s matchup advantage will be too much for Golden State to handle.
The prediction is for Wilson to produce a strong scoring and rebounding performance and for the Aces to control the game. The suggested play is Wilson over 33.5 points and rebounds, with confidence that Las Vegas can exploit Golden State’s lack of a clear defensive answer for her.
