What do you get when you mix hunger, hustle, and a whole lot of Kayla Thornton? A full-blown rout—and the Aces just felt it.
The Golden State Valkyries were on fire Friday night, flattening the Las Vegas Aces 95–68 at Chase Center. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. And leading that charge? Thornton, who dropped 22 points and snagged 11 rebounds, both season bests. Not bad for someone who usually isn’t the headline act.
“I just knew I had to bring the energy,” Thornton told reporters after the game, as quoted by Field Level Media. “I wanted to set the tone.” Mission accomplished.
The Valkyries came out with serious heat—launching into a 16–0 run that had the Aces spinning before they could even warm up. That second quarter? A blistering 34–15 smackdown, with Kate Martin beating the buzzer on a corner three to send the home crowd into orbit.
And let’s talk about Veronica Burton. The point guard had a night to remember with 14 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds. But it was her +40 plus-minus—yes, +40—that had WNBA stat nerds buzzing. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, that’s one of the best single-game marks in league history.
Then there was Monique Billings, who added her own double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. Oh, and Cecilia Zandalasini? She racked up a career-high 18 points. Basically, it was a team-wide glow-up.
The Valkyries didn’t just win—they controlled every inch of the game. They shot nearly 36% from deep, racked up 38 points in the paint, and held the Aces to just 29% shooting early on. Defense, offense, tempo—it was all working.
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who previously took heat for the team’s four-game slide, gave credit where it was due: “Our energy shifted. We came in with purpose tonight,” she told SF Chronicle.
And it wasn’t just about stats—it was about swagger. The Valkyries looked alive. Focused. And after back-to-back losses, they needed it.
This also marked the franchise’s first Commissioner’s Cup win, giving them a long-overdue boost in what’s been a turbulent inaugural season.
The Aces? They looked stunned. Even the usually unstoppable A’ja Wilson struggled to find rhythm as Vegas flailed against the Valkyries’ suffocating defense.
Next up for Golden State: a home showdown against the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday. If this version of the Valkyries shows up again, L.A. better bring more than just sunscreen.