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Ivory CoastGolden State Valkyries Sweep Aces to Reach WNBA Finals
Golden State beat Las Vegas 87-77 in overtime to complete a sweep and advance to the WNBA Finals.
Golden State completes historic sweep
The Golden State Valkyries are heading to the WNBA Finals in just their second season. They completed a sweep of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces with an 87-77 overtime victory in Game 3 on Friday night. Golden State becomes the fastest expansion team to reach the finals in league history.
The second-seeded Valkyries opened as -125 favorites to win the championship at DraftKings Sportsbook. They will host the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream starting Oct. 17 with home-court advantage. Atlanta swept New York earlier in the night. Teams leading 2-0 in WNBA playoff history are now 22-0.
Overtime surge seals the win
Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 18 points. Gabby Williams added 16 points, including eight in overtime. Former Aces players Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes scored 11 points each, with Stokes adding 10 rebounds.
Las Vegas held a six point lead late in the game before Golden State tied it. Williams stole the ball from A'ja Wilson and set up Thornton for a transition layup to make it 69-69 with 1:50 left. Veronica Burton put Golden State ahead on a nine foot floater with 1:12 remaining. Chelsea Gray found Jackie Young on an inbounds pass with 27 seconds left to tie the game and force overtime. The Valkyries dominated the extra period, outscoring the Aces 16-6.
Wilson honored as Aces fall
A'ja Wilson was honored before the game for winning an unprecedented fifth MVP award. She finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds on 6-for-19 shooting. Wilson joined DeWanna Bonner as the only players with 1,300 points and 600 rebounds in postseason history.
Jackie Young scored 18 points and Chelsea Gray added 17 for the Aces, who had won three of the past four titles. Golden State took control earlier with a 17 point run, holding Las Vegas to just seven points in that period.
What it means for the next game
Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty (WNBA, Sun, 11 Oct): New York Liberty win 31%, Atlanta Dream win 69%; projected score New York Liberty 81, Atlanta Dream 85. Our safest pick: Dream +2.5.
Golden State Valkyries at Las Vegas Aces (WNBA, Sun, 11 Oct): Las Vegas Aces win 44%, Golden State Valkyries win 56%; projected score Las Vegas Aces 81, Golden State Valkyries 82. Our safest pick: Valkyries +6.5.
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