Valkyries vs Aces Game 3: Time, TV, Peacock & 2–0 Series
Quick answer (updated October 8, 2026): The Golden State Valkyries visit the Las Vegas Aces on Friday, October 9 for Game 3 of their best-of-five WNBA semifinal series. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Eastern / 6:30 p.m. Pacific at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. Watch on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) or Peacock in the United States. Golden State leads 2–0 after Wednesday’s 83–81 victory and can reach the WNBA Finals with one more win; the defending-champion Aces must win to keep their season alive. citeturn739731search2turn739731search3
Unlike pre-series schedules that still show Game 2 as unplayed, this guide incorporates the verified October 7 result, the official TV schedule, the elimination scenarios and what happens next if Las Vegas wins. The game has not yet been played as of this update; no Game 3 outcome or injury status is being predicted.
Valkyries vs Aces Game 3 date, time and channel
| Detail | Game 3 information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | No. 2 Golden State Valkyries at No. 3 Las Vegas Aces |
| Date | Friday, October 9, 2026 |
| Start time (ET) | 9:30 p.m. Eastern |
| Start time (PT) | 6:30 p.m. Pacific |
| Start time (CT) | 8:30 p.m. Central |
| UTC | 1:30 a.m. Saturday, October 10 |
| Venue | Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| U.S. television | NBCSN (NBC Sports Network) |
| U.S. streaming | Peacock, subject to subscription access |
| Series score entering Game 3 | Golden State leads 2–0 |
The WNBA’s official semifinal series preview and Peacock’s live WNBA schedule agree on the October 9, 9:30 p.m. ET start and broadcast. If you see “October 10” on a schedule outside North America, it may simply be showing the same game in a later time zone, not a separate fixture.
How to stream Game 3 on Peacock
- Open the Peacock WNBA page or app and sign in to a plan that includes the live sports event.
- Locate Friday’s Golden State Valkyries vs Las Vegas Aces listing.
- Allow time for the stream to begin and check the listing close to tipoff in case coverage timing changes.
- For traditional television, check whether NBCSN is included with your provider. Channel positions vary by provider.
Do not confuse NBCSN for the broadcast of Game 3 with NBC, which is scheduled for Game 4 if needed. International rights and local channel schedules differ, so fans outside the United States should check their regional WNBA broadcaster rather than assume Peacock access applies everywhere.
Why Game 3 is an elimination game
The WNBA semifinal is a best-of-five series. A team needs three wins to reach the Finals. Golden State has won both home games and needs just one more victory, which it could claim in Las Vegas on Friday. Las Vegas needs three consecutive wins, starting with Game 3, to reverse a 0–2 deficit.
If Golden State wins Game 3: the Valkyries win the semifinal 3–0 and advance to the WNBA Finals; Games 4 and 5 will not be played. If Las Vegas wins Game 3: the series becomes 2–1, and Game 4 will take place in Las Vegas on October 11. If Las Vegas also wins Game 4, a decisive Game 5 is scheduled for October 14 in Golden State.
Game 2 recap: How Golden State took a 2–0 lead
The Valkyries beat the Aces 83–81 on Wednesday, October 7 at Chase Center in San Francisco, surviving a furious fourth-quarter Las Vegas rally. Golden State had built a double-digit lead but saw Las Vegas claw back to tie the game at 76. Veronica Burton hit a deep three-pointer with approximately 41 seconds remaining to move the Valkyries back in front, later adding key free throws. Kiah Stokes blocked a late Chelsea Gray layup attempt to help finish the win. citeturn641492search0turn641492news24
| Game 2 player | Team | Points | Important contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiffany Hayes | Golden State | 21 | Led the Valkyries in scoring off the bench |
| Gabby Williams | Golden State | 20 | Provided offense and late-game creation |
| Kayla Thornton | Golden State | 16 | Additional perimeter scoring |
| A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas | 24 | Led the Aces’ comeback attempt |
The verified Game 2 recap and box score confirm the final score and major performances. Golden State won Game 1 71–60 on October 4. These are the outcomes entering Game 3, not predictions of what happens next.
What should each team change for Game 3?
Golden State: withstand a road-game response
Golden State protected home court with timely defense and a more balanced scoring attack than in many regular-season contests. Going on the road presents a different challenge, especially against an experienced champion. The Valkyries’ priority will be keeping Las Vegas out of comfortable scoring stretches and avoiding the kind of fourth-quarter comeback that nearly erased Game 2. Burton’s late-game shot was decisive, but Golden State also relied on bench scoring and stops.
Las Vegas: convert A’ja Wilson’s production into a full-team effort
Wilson delivered 24 points in Game 2 while the Aces fought back from a substantial deficit. Las Vegas can point to its closing momentum, but cannot afford another long early drought. Getting more efficient offense around Wilson and limiting Golden State’s offensive rebounding and three-point opportunities could prove pivotal. The Aces’ possible tactical adjustments are analysis, not a confirmed lineup announcement; final starters and injuries should be confirmed through team channels.
Remaining 2026 WNBA semifinals schedule
| Game | Date | Location | U.S. TV/stream | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Oct. 4 | Golden State | NBC / Peacock | Valkyries won 71–60 |
| Game 2 | Oct. 7 | Golden State | NBCSN / Peacock | Valkyries won 83–81 |
| Game 3 | Oct. 9, 9:30 p.m. ET | Las Vegas | NBCSN / Peacock | Scheduled |
| Game 4 | Oct. 11, time TBD | Las Vegas | NBC / Peacock | Only if necessary |
| Game 5 | Oct. 14, time TBD | Golden State | NBCSN / Peacock | Only if necessary |
The WNBA published this venue and broadcast order in its official semifinal schedule. Times marked TBD genuinely remain undecided as of this article’s update; these are not editorial placeholders. The other semifinal features Atlanta Dream and New York Liberty; see our Liberty vs Dream Game 3 guide for the concurrent series.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Valkyries vs Aces Game 3?
Friday, October 9 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern / 6:30 p.m. Pacific. The venue is Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Is Game 3 on NBC or Peacock?
Game 3 is scheduled for NBCSN and Peacock. The if-needed Game 4 on Sunday is on NBC and Peacock, according to the league.
Who leads the Valkyries-Aces playoff series?
Golden State leads 2–0 entering October 9 after wins by 71–60 and 83–81.
Are the Aces eliminated if they lose?
Yes. A third Golden State victory clinches the best-of-five semifinal. Las Vegas must win Game 3 to play again.
When is Game 4 if Las Vegas wins Game 3?
Sunday, October 11 in Las Vegas. The exact game time was not announced in the verified league schedule at the time of this update.
Will Peacock broadcast the WNBA Finals?
Peacock’s WNBA schedule lists Finals coverage. The competing teams will only be known once both semifinals are decided.
Sources and photo credit
Updated October 8, 2026 with the WNBA’s official Game 3 schedule, Peacock’s streaming listing, and the October 7 Associated Press game recap carried by CBS Sports. Broadcasts can be revised; use the official live schedule for last-minute changes.
Featured photo: Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries in a September 2025 archive photo (not Game 2 or Game 3), by John Mac, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Original photo unmodified.
