In Game 1 of the WNBA Semifinals, the Las Vegas Aces had the rest advantage over the Golden State Valkyries - yet it was the Valkyries who had more energy, more hustle, more success in the Game 1 victory.
As the game went on, it became abundantly clear that the Aces' lack of depth was not merely a factoid, it was the reason they would go on to lose the game and why the Valkyries are now favored to advance to the WNBA Finals.
Golden State is deeper and better than the Aces, and it showed in Game 1.
Valkyries' depth shines through
During the course of Game 1, both teams lost key starters. Jewel Lloyd of the Aces went down with an injury and Vegas essentially had no one proven to turn to. On the opposite team, starting point guard Veronica Burton exited the game early in the third quarter due to either injury or frustration. Backup point guard Kaitlyn Chen entered and would play the final 17.5 minutes.
Chen was magnificent. She was explosive attacking the basket, she was a pest on defense, she was confident spotting up on the perimeter. And this less than 48 hours after she essentially did not play in Game 3 against the Dallas Wings.
Or take Aminata Gueye, a rookie center who was just signed to a full contract two weeks ago. Gueye ate up minutes defending in the post and setting screens, multiple times catching the pass on the roll and taking it to the rim.
The Valkyries had multiple players step up against the Dallas Wings, and now very different players are stepping up against the Aces. It's the Gabby Williams show, but her background dancers are a deep troupe of talented individuals. Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles were critical on Friday against Dallas, and on Sunday it was Chen, Gueye and Kayla Thornton. Sixth Man of the Year Janelle Salaün was barely needed, playing only seven minutes.
Becky Hammon has run a tight rotation in Las Vegas all season long, and especially as the playoffs have loomed and ultimately arrived. There are no players sitting on the bench ready to leap up and make a difference. Not like the Valkyries.
Natalie Nakase coached a master class all season long, ensuring everyone was ready to be put into the game. She managed her rotations brilliantly in Game 1, pressing all of the right buttons and putting the right players onto the court at all times.
If Lloyd remains out for the Aces, they are in acute trouble. Their team was already thin, and now it's even thinner. Las Vegas may have the MVP and a trio of proven stars, but Golden State is hungry, they are really good, and they are up 1-0. They have their bench to thank.
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