With a playoff spot within reach, Golden State heads to Las Vegas for a rubber match that could define their regular season — and expose a glaring pattern.
The WNBA regular season is entering its most revealing stretch, and for the Golden State Valkyries, Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas could not arrive at a worse — or more important — moment.
The Valkyries travel to Michelob ULTRA Arena to face the Las Vegas Aces in what is their third and final scheduled meeting of the regular season, with tipoff set for 4 p.m. EDT on CBS. It is a matchup that carries weight far beyond the standings, carrying with it a storyline that has quietly become one of the more compelling threads of the 2025 WNBA season.
How to Watch the Valkyries vs. Aces
The game airs nationally on CBS, making it accessible to most viewers with a basic cable or antenna setup. For cord-cutters and streaming audiences, several options are available:
- FuboTV — Offers a free trial and up to $20 off the first month, starting at $55.99/month
- DIRECTV — Offers a free trial and $40 off the first month, starting at $64.99/month
- Paramount+ — No free trial, but students receive a 50% discount for 12 months; starts at $8.99/month
The Aces Are Rolling — and Dangerous
Las Vegas enters Sunday having won seven of its last eight games, sitting at 11-4 and playing some of its most complete basketball of the season. Their most recent outing — an 86-76 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday — was a masterclass in balanced production.
A’ja Wilson led the charge with 33 points, 10 rebounds, five steals, two blocks and three assists, a performance that once again underscored why she remains the most dominant force in the league. Jackie Young contributed 20 points, nine assists and five steals, while NyLyssa Smith poured in 21 points off the bench. Chelsea Gray rounded out a dominant effort with nine assists of her own, directing the offense with her usual composure.
The Aces are not just winning — they are winning with depth, and that makes them particularly dangerous heading into a game where they already own a 2-0 edge over Golden State.
The Valkyries and Their Achilles’ Heel
Golden State came into the weekend with serious momentum, riding a four-game winning streak that had pushed their record to 10-6 and fueled talk of a deep playoff run. Then came Friday, and a bruising 81-75 loss to the Minnesota Lynx that snapped that streak and exposed the same familiar vulnerability.
Cecilia Zandalasini led the Valkyries with a game-high 23 points, while Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaun each added 15 points and combined for 14 rebounds. The effort was there. But it was not enough — just as it has not been enough against two specific opponents all season.
A Pattern That Cannot Be Ignored
Of Golden State’s four losses in their last 11 games, every single one has come against either the Las Vegas Aces or the Minnesota Lynx. That is not a coincidence — it is a diagnostic. The teams at the top of the Western Conference have found a blueprint against the Valkyries, and Sunday presents the clearest opportunity yet for Golden State to answer with one of their own.
What the Valkyries Need to Break Through
The Aces have the edge in firepower, cohesion and recent history. But the Valkyries are not without their weapons, and home court or not, this is a rivalry that is quietly becoming must-see television.
For Golden State, this is more than a regular season game. It is a referendum on whether they can compete with the league’s best when it matters most — and the answer will begin to emerge Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.
Source: Mass Live