Trending searches · 2026-10-10
Valkyries vs Aces Game 3 Score: Valkyries Win 87-77 in OT, Reach WNBA Finals
This post was compiled with AI. We checked it against the original articles and announcements, but please confirm details in the linked sources. Trending on Google Trends (US, GB) 200,000+; sources collected 2026-10-10 14:10 (KST).
In one line
The Golden State Valkyries beat the Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime in Game 3 of their WNBA semifinal on Oct. 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. The win completed a 3-0 sweep and sent the second-year team to its first WNBA Finals.
Why searches rose
The facts: "valkyries vs aces" showed 200,000+ searches on the Google Trends U.S. page when we collected it (Oct. 10, 2:10 p.m. Korea time), and "aces vs valkyries" was on the U.K. list at 200+, attached to an Athletic guide on how to watch Game 3. The timing matches the series-clinching game, so the result appears to be the driver. That link is our inference.
Score by period
| Team | Final | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | OT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valkyries | 87 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
| Aces | 77 | 19 | 26 | 7 | 19 | 6 |
How the game turned
- Third quarter: Las Vegas led 45-36 at halftime, then scored only seven points in the third. Golden State took a 53-52 lead into the fourth.
- Late in regulation: The Aces went back up 69-63. The Valkyries answered with an 8-0 run. Kayla Thornton's layup tied it at 69 with 1:50 left, and Veronica Burton made it 71-69 with 1:12 to go.
- Tie: Jackie Young's layup, on a pass from Chelsea Gray, tied the game at 71 with 26.6 seconds left.
- Overtime: Golden State outscored Las Vegas 16-6. Gabby Williams scored eight of those points as the lead reached 83-73.
Top performers
- Kayla Thornton (GS): 18 points, 9 rebounds
- Gabby Williams (GS): 16 points
- Kiah Stokes (GS): 11 points and 10 rebounds on 5-of-5 shooting
- Tiffany Hayes (GS): 11 points
- A'ja Wilson (LV): 21 points and 10 rebounds on 6-of-19 shooting
- Jackie Young (LV): 18 points
- Chelsea Gray (LV): 17 points, 5 assists, 6 turnovers
What comes next
Golden State will face the Atlanta Dream, who swept the New York Liberty on the same night. The Finals begin Oct. 17, with the second-seeded Valkyries holding home-court advantage, according to the Associated Press. CBS Sports lists Game 1 for 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and describes the Finals as a best-of-seven series.
The Valkyries debuted as an expansion team in 2025. This is Atlanta's first Finals since 2013, CBS Sports and the Guardian note.
What we could not confirm
- Young's points: ESPN's box score and the AP recap say 18. The Guardian's report says 16.
- Attendance: ESPN lists 10,218. We found no second source.
- Finals tip time, TV and format: These come from the CBS Sports schedule only. We did not open the WNBA's own schedule page.
Sources
- ESPN, Golden State Valkyries at Las Vegas Aces box score (Oct. 9, 2026) https://www.espn.com/wnba/boxscore/_/gameId/401918300
- CBS Sports, Valkyries at Aces gametracker with AP recap and box score https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/gametracker/recap/WNBA_20261009_GS@LVA/
- The Guardian, Golden State Valkyries vanquish Las Vegas Aces to reach WNBA finals in second season (Oct. 10, 2026) https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/10/golden-state-valkyries-las-vegas-aces-wnba-finals-sweep-gabby-williams
- CBS Sports, 2026 WNBA playoffs bracket, schedule https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/2026-wnba-playoffs-bracket-schedule/
- CBS Sports, WNBA scoreboard for Oct. 9, 2026 https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/scoreboard/20261009/