Ace guard Chelsea Gray, right, drives the ball against Washington Mystics forward Michaela Onyenwere during a WNBA basketball game at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Tue Aug 11, 2026 (Las Vegas Review Journal)

By Rich Perez

The Washington Mystics (19-13) started strong in the first quarter of play but their 7-point lead was erased after an Aces (23-11) time-out that led to a 22-19 Las Vegas lead going into the second quarter.

The sixth place Mystics were giving the Aces all they could handle in the second quarter. When the first half came to an end this game was all tied up at 41. Las Vegas took their largest lead in the game 63-54 in the third quarter but the Mystic pushed back trailing by only three points going into the fourth quarter 60-63.

The Aces have been outscored in the fourth quarter far too many times this season and they need to turn that around as the season is rapidly winding down. With under four minutes left in the game Las Vegas had taken their largest lead of the game 75-65. The final was 86-76, the Aces breaking the Mystics seven game winning streak Tuesday night.

GAME RECAP

The Las Vegas Aces got a bit of a slow start in their game against the Washington Mystics with the Mystics taking as much as a seven point lead. Las Vegas called a time-out in the opening quarter and came back on the court with more fire taking a 22-19 lead going into the second quarter. Tuesday night unlike their last game against the New York Liberty A’Ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray all took the floor after sitting the New York game out.

The second quarter was hotly contested with neither team able to distance themselves from their opponent. Every time the Aces took the lead, the Mystics answered and at the half this game was tied at 41. Getting past Washington despite playing at Michelob ULTRA Arena would be no easy task.

Jackie Young had scored 13 points in the first half but was the only Las Vegas player in double digits. Both A’Ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray were a basket away from double digits. The Aces were losing the rebound battle and the Mysetics were making the Aces work hard for every possesson.

Washington right now is one of the hottest defensive teams around looking to extend their seven game winning streak. The Mystics Shakira Austin has been playing some solid basketball and Washington was not at all intimidated by A’Ja Wilson. The Mystics did beat Las Vegas in July in a close game 100-99. If they continue to play loose and confidently in the second half they could present problems for Las Vegas.

The good new for the Aces is that they were not trailing after the first half and they have an entire half to make adjustments by getting Wilson more involved inside and tightening up the defense on Austin.

The Aces will be looking to take this first game of a two-game series. Las Vegas had five steals to the Mystics two in the opening half and Washington also had nine turnovers. The Aces were protecting the ball well only committing four turnovers. It promises to be a wild second half of basketball.

Five minutes into the third quarter both A’Ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray had double digits. The Aces continued to hold onto the lead but the Mystics were not going anywhere threatening to take the lead throughout the third quarter.

Coming out of a time-out, Las Vegas went on a crazy run taking a 63-54 lead, their largest of the game. The third quarter would come to an end with the Aces lead cut down to 63-60.

This game turned into to a crazy battle in the paint throughout the fourth quarter. Las Vegas would have to come up big in the final quarter after struggling in many fourth quarters this season.

The Aces again took a sizeable lead in the early minutes of the fourth 71-62 and halfway through the final quarter had a 75-65 lead. With one minute left in the game, the Aces had sealed the deal taking a 84-73 lead. The Mystics winning streak had come to an end losing to Las Vegas 86-76.

GAME NOTES

It was a huge game for both A’Ja Wilson and Jackie Young. Wilson finished the game with a double double 26 points and 13 rebounds. Young had 25 points and Nalyssa Smith also with a double double, 11 points and 11 rebounds. Las Vegas had a great fourth quarter outscoring the Mystics 23-16.

The Mystics put up a great fight through the first three quarters of the game. They had three players in double digits. Kiki Iriafen had a double double finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The high for the Mystics was Shakira Austin with 20 points and eight rebounds.

It was the fourth quarter when the Aces finally separated themselves from Washington. The Mystics offense stalled in the fourth quarter and they let A’Ja Wilson take over late giving Las Vegas control finishing off Washington. Las Vegas defended much better in the closing minutes and very important, Las Vegas did not panic when the Mystics made runs.

These two teams will be back at it on Thursday when they will meet for a second time. The Mystics will be looking to even the series but after missing the New York game, it really looks like Wilson, Young and Gray are back and ready to finish off the season on a high note. Tipoff for Thurday’s game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.