From Game 3 Comeback to Semifinal Game 1 Win — the Valkyries Cannot Be Stopped

The Golden State Valkyries take Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces, hold them to a season low in scoring, dominate the boards, and get an immediate impact performance from Aminata in her first game with the team. The presser message was clear: this was good and it is not enough yet. The defense set the tone completely. Connected, communicating, showing bodies, and limiting the Aces to one possession after another. Kiah and Kaitlyn won the game on the boards with 14 total rebounds including seven offensive. Gabby said it directly after the game: Kaitlyn and Kiah won this one for them. Holding Asia Wilson to just four rebounds required multiple bodies every single time and a collective defensive effort that never let up.

Kiah knew this series was different from the moment it started. She did not love how she played against the Aces in the regular season and that drove her all week. Now or never. This is the semis. She delivered. Aminata arrived days ago and already looks like she has been here for months. Gabby told the coaching staff to throw her in without hesitation. Physical, fearless, and bringing interior presence that gives Kiah the rest she needs to come back with fresh legs. Even on the bench when she is not playing she is the first one jumping up to celebrate her teammates. That energy is exactly what this team is built on.

When asked what it means to do all of this at home in the Bay, Gabby ran out of words. Bay Area legends she grew up watching are now showing up to watch her play in the semifinals. It feels like a big party. She is taking that energy and turning it into fuel. She gave a direct shoutout to Jess, Mr. Joe, and Ohama for building this franchise and creating this environment for everyone who calls the Bay home. The Aces are coming Wednesday. The Valkyries are ready.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Semifinal Presser | Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes, Kaitlyn Chen | Las Vegas Aces | Game 1 | 2025

00:00 — The Aces Are Championship Caliber: No Time to Relax
00:15 — Kiah on Winning the Rebounding Battle
00:37 — Gabby on the Defense: Connected Communicating and Showing Bodies
00:55 — Kiah on Her Role: Now or Never in the Semis
01:20 — Holding Asia Wilson to Four Rebounds: How They Did It
01:58 — Aminata Steps In: Gabby Says Throw Her In She Is Ready
02:45 — The Bench Unit: Highest Scoring in the League Shows Up Again
03:35 — No Emotional Hangover: How the Valkyries Moved On From Game 3
04:15 — Gabby on Vegas Coverages: Adjusting and Finding Teammates
05:00 — Hosting a Bay Area Party: What This Moment Means to Gabby
06:10 — Shoutout to Jess Mr. Joe and Ohama: Building This for the Bay