Valkyries Sweep Aces to Reach WNBA Finals

Golden State Valkyries advanced to the WNBA Finals after defeating the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime Friday night in Las Vegas, according to ESPN. The second-year expansion team completed a sweep in Game 3 and secured home-court advantage for the Finals. Kayla Thornton led the Valkyries with 18 points, while Gabby Williams added 16 points, including eight in overtime, according to ESPN.

Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes each scored 11 points, and Stokes collected 10 rebounds. The victory made Golden State the quickest expansion team to reach the WNBA Finals, according to ESPN. The Valkyries will host No. 4 seed Atlanta after the Dream swept New York and became the first team to advance earlier Friday.

Las Vegas entered the series as the defending champion and had won three of the previous four championships, according to ESPN. A'ja Wilson scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Aces, while becoming one of two players with 1,300 points and 600 postseason rebounds.

Golden State erased a late six-point deficit after a 17-point run gave the Valkyries a 53-47 lead. The Aces recovered to tie the game late in regulation, but the Valkyries controlled overtime by outscoring Las Vegas 16-6. The WNBA Finals will begin Oct. 17, with the Valkyries holding home-court advantage against Atlanta, according to ESPN.