The Las Vegas Aces and the Golden State Valkyries will be going at it again in Game 2. Will the Aces find the right card to save them from a 2-0 series deficit? Or, will the Valkyries stun the reigning champs – again?

Catch this game live on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 7:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Las Vegas Aces (0-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Chelsea Gray
  • Stephanie Talbot
  • Jackie Young
  • NaLyssa Smith
  • A’ja Wilson

The Aces have their backs against the wall early in this series after a 71-60 loss in Game 1 on Monday. But after two days of rest, Las Vegas could have the solution to get back at the Valkyries in Game 2. Perhaps rest is all the Aces need following a tough first-round battle against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. 

In Game 1 versus Golden State, Chelsea Gray had 16 points but shot just 5/14 from the field, while A’ja Wilson put up 24 points on a subpar 8/21 shooting to go along with only four rebounds.  After averaging 95 points in the first round, the Aces generated only 60 in the loss to Golden State. A fresher Aces should be a bigger problem for Golden State, which Las Vegas swept in three games in the regular season.

Home: Golden State Valkyries (1-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Kayla Thornton
  • Gabby Williams
  • Cecilia Zandalasini
  • Kiah Stokes
  • Veronica Burton

Gabby Williams is a problem, and the Aces never solved her in Game 1. Williams dropped 25 points on 9/18 shooting in Game 1, while grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing five assists, and making four 3-pointers in 34 minutes. She was the best player on the floor and is very much capable of being that player again in Game 2. But Williams will also need help. 

No other Valkyries starter had more than eight points in Game 1, including Veronica Burton, who had four points on a salty 1/6 shooting. Meanwhile, Janelle Salaun came off the bench and scored only two points, a far cry from her regular-season average of 12.7 a night. Still, Golden State has the momentum and the home-court advantage for Thursday’s tilt.

Picks

Spread: Las Vegas Aces (+1.0)

Over/Under: Over (157.0)