SAN FRANCISCO — The Valkyries were helpless against A’ja Wilson.
Following a 24-point win over the Valkyries on Sunday, the reigning MVP had a monster game totaling 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks to lead the Las Vegas Aces to a 78-72 victory over the Valkyries in front of a sellout crowd of 18,064 at Chase Center on Wednesday.
“A’ja is fearless,” said Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, a former Aces assistant. “A’ja wants the big moments. She wants the ball and knows how to get to her spots.”
Janelle Salaün had 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. Kaila Charles came off the bench and scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds.
The Valkyries had their third-worst shooting night of the season from beyond the arc (4-for-22) and had a season-low nine assists.
Nakase said she wasn’t concerned about the low number of assists, saying the team had open layups.
Golden State got off to a much better start Wednesday than it did on Sunday. The Valkyries went down just five at halftime using a balanced scoring attack.
The Valkyries held a seven-point lead at one point in the second quarter, but 14 points from Wilson kept the Aces ahead.
Golden State stayed with the Aces into the third quarter, but fell behind by as much as 10 as Wilson continued to torch Golden State’s defense.
“The most important thing was to play defense tonight and we didn’t,” Salaün said. “We didn’t rebound the ball. And that was the most important thing. Whether our fall shots fall or not, we have to be consistent on defense.”
The Valkyries clawed their way back into the game in the fourth as Leite and Salaün carried the offense. But the Aces were too much as they got to the line at will and outscored Golden State 18-14 in the fourth quarter.
Salaün fouled out with 1:38 left in the game.
The Valkyries will host former Stanford star Cameron Brink on Saturday when the Los Angeles Sparks come to town.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Wednesday’s loss:
Return of Hayes, Zandalasini
Hayes and Zandalasini returned to the starting lineup and added a much-needed boost to the depleted Valkyries after missing the last three games.
The two combined for 21 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
Hayes provided the Valkyries with another attacking playmaker, getting to the rim to create for herself and others. She wasn’t afraid to challenge Wilson in the paint and made a crafty off-handed layup over her in the second quarter.
Zandalasini struggled in the first half, but the threat of her outside shot did enough for the Aces to continue to chase her on off-ball screens.
Zone looks
Nakase threw out multiple zone looks at the Aces throughout Wednesday’s game.
After Wilson scored six points through the first few minutes of the first quarter, the Valkyries went to a 2-3 zone to force the Aces to shoot long perimeter shots. Nakase also used an extended 1-2-2 look to put pressure on guards Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young.
The zone defense created some hesitation from the Aces as the Valkyries created three first-half turnovers.
The Valkyries went away from the defensive scheme in the second half after Las Vegas made adjustments, but the zone proved to be a look the Valkyries can throw at players like Wilson to momentarily slow them down.
“I think they were pump-faking us and I was trying to tell our girls to stay on their feet,” Nakase said about how the Aces broke down their zone. “I think we got a little happy feet at times. Overall, I thought the zone was actually really successful.”
Do the Valkyries need to make a trade?
With Thursday’s deadline fast approaching, Wednesday’s game made it clear: The Valkyries have holes in their lineup.
While the Valkyries have gotten to this point on their grit and execution, they’ve struggled to beat teams with elite level talent. Against the Aces, New York York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury, the Valkyries are 1-10.
Since All-Star Kayla Thornton went down for the rest of the season with a knee injury, the Valkyries have struggled to find consistent scoring. Against the Aces, the Valkyries used a balanced attack, but went long stretches without a basket.
With backup center Monique Billings out for at least the next two weeks with an ankle injury, the Valkyries could use some frontcourt help to supplement Iliana Rupert and Temi Fágbénlé.
If the Valkyries want to make a push for the postseason, an upgrade on the roster might be necessary.
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