Burton at the double as Valkyries smash Aces

• WNBL champion Veronica Burton had 14 points in the Valkyries 27-point win against the Aces
• Australian Opals wing Steph Talbot played just one minute in the win
• How to watch every 2025 WNBA game in Australia

Kayla Thornton's 22-point, 11-rebound performance and WNBL champion Veronica' Burton's 14 points and 12 assists helped the Golden State Valkyries secure their third win of the season smashing Las Vegas Aces (4-3) 95-68 at Chase Center on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

Australian Opals wing Steph Talbot played just one minute off the bench and didn't trouble the stats keeper.

Key Details

• Result: Golden State Valkyries 95 def. Las Vegas Aces 68
• When: June 7, 2025
• Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
• Standings: Golden State Valkyries (#10) | Las Vegas Aces (#6)

By the Numbers

• Kayla Thornton (Golden State Valkyries) starred with 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 36 minutes.
• A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) scored 17 points, and had six rebounds, two assists and one block in 27 minutes.

What Happened

The Golden State Valkyries set the tone early, establishing a 15-13 lead after the first quarter before exploding in the second period. They outscored the defending champion Aces 34-15 in the decisive second quarter to take a commanding 49-28 halftime advantage. The Valkyries maintained their dominance throughout the second half, winning both the third (22-21) and fourth quarters (24-19) to secure the lopsided 27-point victory.

Veronica Burton orchestrated the Valkyries' offense masterfully, dishing out 12 assists while adding 14 points and seven rebounds. Her plus-minus rating of +40 was indicative of her impact on both ends of the court. Burton's floor generalship helped Golden State execute their offense efficiently, creating open looks for teammates throughout the contest.

Kayla Thornton was exceptional for the Valkyries, recording a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Cecilia Zandalasini added 18 points on efficient 5-from-9 shooting, including 3-from-4 from three-point range. Monique Billings provided a spark off the bench with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Aces, A'ja Wilson led the way with 17 points and six rebounds, while Chelsea Gray added 16 points. However, the usually reliable backcourt duo of Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young struggled mightily, combining for just nine points on 2-from-14 shooting. Las Vegas couldn't overcome their shooting woes, connecting on just 35.5 per cent of their field goal attempts and 24 per cent from beyond the arc.

The Valkyries dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Aces 43-31, including a nine to seven advantage on the offensive boards. Golden State also displayed superior ball movement, recording 24 assists compared to Las Vegas' 11. The Valkyries' defensive pressure forced 13 Aces turnovers, which they converted into transition opportunities and easy baskets.