Las Vegas Aces center Aj’a Wilson (22) dives against the Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Aug 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

LAS VEGAS–This game was lopsided from start to finish as the Las Vegas Aces (14-14) lost to the number one team in the WNBA the Minnesota Lynx (24-5) 111-58 on Saturday afternoon. Las Vegas fell behind in the opening quarter 35-17 and it only snowballed from there.

Minnesota’s Kayla McBride got the game going in the first half going eight of eight from beyond the arc. It went from bad to worse from there. This was Minnesota’s third win of the season over Las Vegas and the all -time differential in WNBA history winning by 63 points.

No one saw this one coming with A’Ja Wilson only scoring ten points. This is a game the Aces need to put in the rear view going forward if they want to be playoff bound. Going forward, it is all about winning as many games as possible with the season winding down.

Game recap: The Lynx came out on fire leading after the first ten minutes of play 35-17. Minnesota had shot for 74% in the first quarter.

The Aces seemed to have come out with little intensity missing far too many shot and the Lynx were killing them from outside. The Minnesota defense kept the Aces off balance not allowing them to get set for many shots.

Things went from bad to worse as the Lynx continued their assault leading with under three minutes left in the second quarter 54-29. Kayla McBride already had 15 points and Minnesota had gotten 18 points off their bench.

They also had 11 shots from beyond the arc only missing one three in the half and the Lynx’s McBride finished the half going 8 for 8 from beyond the arc for 24 points. At the half Minnesota lead 67-33. Las Vegas had a mountain to climb going into the second half.

The Lynx shot for 92.9% from outside in the first half the Aces were 50%. Inside the Lynx shot for 76.5% while the Aces were shooting at 40.6%. The Aces were not able to take the three away from Minnesota and Las Vegas had really struggled defensively.

Their transition defense was MIA and they had missed so many attempted shots. The Lynx had more than twice as many rebounds most of them defensive. Fast break points were really lopsided, the Lynx with 21, the Aces only two.

The largest lead for Minnesota in the first half was 37 points. The Aces would have to shake off their lackadaisical first half going into the second half. They needed to somehow disrupt the offensive rhythm that the Lynx had established in the opening half. Las Vegas had also missed far too many shots in the first half due to the solid defense that Minnesota brought to this game..

The Lynx continued to control the pace of the game as well as hitting those three’s and hanging onto their thirty point lead throughout the third quarter. As the third quarter came to an end, the Lynx had continued their total domination. It would be a long fourth quarter of basketball for the Aces. They lost the third quarter. 25-16 and trailed 92-49 going into the final quarter.

Aces Head Coach Becky Hammon was seen in the fourth quarter having a group chat on the sidelines with starters AJa Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. With just over five minutes left in the game and Las Vegas trailing 98-54, the writing was already set in stone on the wall.

Game notes; Saturday afternoon, the Aces took on the Lynx at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Aces have fought their way back over .500 after struggling off and on all season. Last Tuesday the Aces handled the Los Angeles Sparks 89-74 and took on the top three-shooting team in the league the Lynx.

The challenge against the Lynx was containing them on the inside and the outside. Minnesota is number in the standings for not only their offense but also their defense. The Aces lost to the Lynx in their last matchup getting thumped pretty good 109-78.

Jewell Loyd had an awful game going 0-10 and will not start in the game. The Lynx out-rebounded them, and outshot them from inside and out in that contest. Las Vegas had their work cut out for them. They are clinging onto eighth spot in the standings right now. Minnesota got their third straight win against Las Vegas this season.

There will be no rest for the Aces taking the court Sunday against the Golden State Valkyries at Michelob ULTRA. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 3:00 PM. The Aces will need to put this game in their rear view going forward. With the season almost three quarters over the Aces need to tack on some wins to solidify a place in the playoffs.