The Golden State Valkyries are one win away from the WNBA Finals, as they lead the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 2-0 in the best-of-five semifinals, and Game 3 is Friday night in Las Vegas. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.

The Valkyries are only in their second season. They set a record for wins by a first-year expansion team last year with 23, then went 32-12 this season, CBS Sports reported. They beat the Dallas Wings in three games before taking the first two games of this series at home.

Game 2 on Wednesday came down to the final seconds after the Aces rallied from 17 points down and took a 76-74 lead on an A'ja Wilson basket, until Gabby Williams answered with a tying jumper, then passed to Veronica Burton for a 3-pointer that put Golden State ahead for good in an 83-81 win.

Coach Natalie Nakase then chose to foul while leading by three on three straight late possessions, taking away any chance at a tying 3-pointer, SFGATE reported. Nakase, who won two titles as an assistant under Aces coach Becky Hammon, can now knock out her former mentor.

"I can't convince them that this is not a must-win, because if we lose, we go home and we stay home," Hammon said.

The Aces' stars have struggled, as Wilson, named MVP for a record fifth time on Thursday, has scored 24 points in each game but made only 17 of 37 shots, while Jackie Young has made just 6 of 22.

A sweep would be rare for this group, since the only playoff series in which a Wilson-led Aces team was swept came against Seattle in the 2020 Finals.

If the Aces win, Game 4 would be played Sunday on NBC and Peacock, and the WNBA Finals are set to begin on Saturday, October 17.

What we know: Golden State leads 2-0, and Game 3 tips at 9:30 p.m. ET Friday.
What we don't: Whether Las Vegas can extend the series.