"I feel much better... It's because... I'm able to sit." Gabby Williams, who played 28 minutes in Golden State's overtime clincher over Las Vegas, says depth has her fresher than late last season. Sitting much of the third quarter reset her: "just get off it for a minute."
"This is Tiffany Hayes coming off of the bench. Like, are you kidding me?" Gabby Williams calls it a huge edge; she and Hayes trade off carrying the scoring. Kiah Stokes says Golden State will keep leaning on its bench in the Finals, "especially when we play Atlanta."
"It is our superpower... More importantly, it's for people's health." Golden State's Natalie Nakase on depth, after Gabby Williams played only 28 minutes in the overtime win over the Aces. She tied last year's injuries to a 7- or 8-player rotation that wasn't sustainable.
"Literally, this is a dream come true to be going to our finals in our second year." Golden State coach Natalie Nakase after the Valkyries closed out the Aces in Las Vegas. With 8 days off before the Finals, she said "rest and recovery for me is going to be crucial."
With the Las Vegas Aces' season over, keeping free agent Jackie Young after a career year is "a big priority," said Becky Hammon. "Ultimately, it's going to come down to her decision though." A'ja Wilson will stay in Young's ear but knows when to give her space.
A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces is the only WNBA player with five MVPs. On why this one made her cry harder: "15-year-old A'ja wasn't sitting up here dreaming about being a 5-time MVP... She was just dreaming about surviving this world."