A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces sent a message loud and clear to the Minnesota Lynx with a double double in the Aces win over the Lynx at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sat Jul 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

Aces Take Down Lynx 98-81

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (21-2) continued to bulldoze their way through the 2023 season. This time the Aces were taking on the Lynx (10-13) in Minnesota and bulldoze they did defeating the Lynx 98-81.

The Aces got a dynamite start in the first quarter leading 11-0 at 6:27. Las Vegas had taken full advantage of the Lynx slow start. Minnesota turned things around as the quarter wore on going on a 7-0 run. After the first ten minutes the Aces had a 23-18 lead. The Lynx had gotten on track and the Aces had to amp it up going into the second quarter.

Las Vegas did indeed amp it up in the second quarter extending their lead to 48-30. Leading by eighteen points the Aces had really begun to flex their muscle going into halftime.

A’Ja Wilson finished the first half with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jackie Young had 13 points to finish the first half. With an entire half of basketball left to play, there would be a lot more coming from these two. Kelsey Plum had not gotten going in the first half and was looking to in the second half of this game.

The third quarter was all Aces. They took a nice lead 78-55 and they hung onto that lead going into the fourth quarter. The reigning MVP A’ja Wilson had her 15th double double of the season.

The slow start for Kelsey Plum in the first half got a jump start in the second half. She really got going finishing with 16 points after having only three points at the half. Wilson finished with 35 points and 14 rebounds.

The Lynx’s Diamond Miller had 17 points in this game followed by Naphessa Collier with 16.

I am certain that head coaches around the league are scratching their heads trying to put together a game plan that can beat Las Vegas. They have lost two games this season but came right back in the next game. They learn from their mistakes, they have incredible depth, they can shoot from anywhere on the court and they are a determined bunch.

They will next take on the Chicago Sky next Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.