Elizabeth

Kitley

The Valkyries signed Kitley to a seven-day hardship deal on September 3. A second-round pick of the Aces in 2024, the 6-foot-6 center did not appear in any games for Golden State. Her release comes as a move corresponding to Cecilia Zandalasini being activated after missing time with a calf injury.

Zandalasini, who has not played since August 17, is on track to return to action, possibly as soon as Tuesday night. The Valkryies forward was a fixture in the team’s starting lineup before the calf injury and is averaging 11.2 points per game. Zandalasini’s return may bump Iliana Rupert to the bench, but she will still be a key part of Golden State’s rotation. To make room for Zandalasini on the active roster, the Valkyries waived Elizabeth Kitley.

While the Valkyries will be without guard Tiffany Hayes for at least another week as she recovers from a knee injury, the team has used its ability to sign someone via hardship waiver to add to the frontcourt. A second-round pick of the Aces of 2024, Kitley missed last season as she recovered from a torn ACL. The 6-foot-6 center appeared in 12 games before being waived by the Aces in late June, averaging 8.2 minutes per appearance.

To make room for NaLyssa Smith on their roster and to adhere to the salary cap, the Aces had to waive players not on guaranteed contracts. Kitley, who only played in 12 games while averaging eight minutes a game, was an obvious choice to make room for Smith. While Mitchell played well last night in the Aces 84-81 win over the Mercury, her contract was also not guaranteed. If the Aces waived Kiersten Bell, however, they would have to pay her contract out or agree to a buyout. Also, it’s worth noting that Joyner Holmes, the Aces’ pregnancy replacement player, won’t be waived, and via Richard Cohen, her replacement contract doesn’t count “in calculations” toward the salary cap after trades.

With Aces coach Becky Hammon deciding to go with a smaller starting lineup on Sunday, Gray essentially slotted in as the starting power forward. The “Point Gawd” held her own, grabbing a season-high 10 rebounds while also leading the Aces in scoring. While Gray was also responsible for five turnovers, few would complain about her overall stat line. Elizabeth Kitley, who started Friday’s win over the Wings, played 11 minutes off the bench and finished with two rebounds and a blocked shot. If A’ja Wilson can return for Tuesday’s game against the Lynx, Gray should take on her usual point guard responsibilities.

Sunday’s game will be the second Wilson has missed due to the league’s concussion protocols. Elizabeth Kitley started Friday’s comeback victory over the Wings, playing 18 minutes and accounting for two points, four rebounds and one assist. While Kitley may retain that role on Sunday, rookie Aaliyah Nye (five points, four rebounds, one steal and one three-pointer in 22 minutes) should once again play more minutes off the bench.

Elizabeth Kitley will log her first career WNBA start on Friday against Dallas as she replaces the injured A’ja Wilson (concussion) in the Aces’ starting unit. The production on both ends of the floor that Wilson, a three-time league MVP and one of the faces of the WNBA, brings cannot be replaced by any singular player on this Las Vegas roster. But between Kitley and Kiah Stokes, the Aces are hoping their production could be enough to earn a victory over a Wings team with just one win on the season. Kitley is averaging 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds per game during her rookie campaign.

Parker-Tyus is away from the team as she is pregnant with her second child. The 11th-year pro inked a deal with Las Vegas in February after being reduced to primarily a reserve role in her final season with the Dream, but is not far removed from a career-best 2023 season where she averaged 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over 40 games (38 starts). Parker-Tyus’ eventual debut will be a welcome one for an Aces team already thin in the frontcourt, with Megan Gustafson (leg) out. Aside from A’ja Wilson logging more minutes, center Kiah Stokes should see even more action than usual, with Elizabeth Kitley potentially earning opportunities.

Gustafson, who’s entering her seventh WNBA season, suffered a lower left leg injury during practice on April 28. While the Aces have not provided specifics, the veteran center will be out indefinitely. Gustafson provided depth off the bench last season, averaging 3.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game in 38 appearances. Queen Egbo and Elizabeth Kitley should receive more opportunities during training camp behind perennial MVP candidate A’ja Wilson.