The Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker (3) can see a win coming up against the Minnesota Lynx at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Jun 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

Aces Demolish Lynx in Vegas 93-62

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (10-1) continue their march through the 2023 WNBA season leaving just about every team in the league in their wake. They have only lost a single game this season and the fact that they have a target on their back has not deterred this team, in fact, it has spurred them on if anything.

Las Vegas picked up their tenth win of the season defeating the Minnesota Lynx (3-8) at Michelob ULTRA Arena Sunday evening 93-62.

The Aces have gotten some slow starts in games lately and the first quarter of this game was no exception. They did turn things around in the opening quarter and took a 26-22 lead. Las Vegas got their defense going and that turned this game around in favor of the Aces. The Aces turned the ball over only six times.

Las Vegas extended their lead in the second quarter. Jackie Young continued to bulldoze her way into the paint and finishing. Young along with Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum all had double digits at the half. The Aces had a 54-41 lead at halftime.

These players work hard and it’s easy to see how much fun they are having on the court. Their ball movement is like no other and the best news of all, only one turnover in the first half of this game. The Aces were shooting around 52% from the field while the Lynx were slightly under 40%.

The Aces really put pressure on the Lynx in the third quarter. Mid-way through the third Las Vegas began to really flex their muscle extending their lead 68-45. After three quarters, Las Vegas had a 74-48 lead. Going into the fourth quarter the Aces had a strangle hold on this game. The only Lynx that had double digits was Napheesa Collier with 18 points and she desperately needed her teammates to step up.

At 9:09 in the final quarter the Aces had a 30 point lead 78-48 their largest of the game. The Aces had complete control on the glass, in the paint as well as defensively. With five minutes left in the game, the starters handed this game over to the bench. This not only gave the starters a breather but also gave the bench players some invaluable experience that will serve the team well down the road as this season evolves.

This team achieved so much in 2022 winning the WNBA title. Now the work begins; the effort to maintain the greatness that got them to the title game. They are looking for another championship and anything less is simply unacceptable. From what we have seen so far this season, this team is primed and ready to take it all the way.

Wednesday afternoon the Aces will take on Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury. It is an early game with the tipoff scheduled for 12:30 PM.