Las Vegas Aces Jackie Young (0) celebrates a shot during a WNBA basketball game against the Washington Mystics at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Thu Aug 13, 2026 (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

By Rich Perez

It was another roller coaster game between the Las Vegas Aces (24-11) and the Wahington Mystics (19-14). The Mystics put up a fight winning the second and third quarters but it was the hot start for the Aces leading after the first quarter 25-16 and finishing the game off in the fourth quarter where they have struggled at times this season outscoring the Mystics 25-21 and winning this second game against Washington in so many days 83-76 Thursday at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

As this game wore on it became all too apparent that tonight belonged to Jackie Young. She had a season high 32 points. She had the hot hand and she was unstoppable. With this win Las Vegas now is assured a spot in the playoffs.

GAME RECAP

The Las Vegas Aces got the hot start they were looking in the opening quarter of tonight’s game taking a 25-16 lead. After beating the Mystics this past Tuesday Washington was looking for a little payback. Las Vegas shut that down with a game opening 14-2 run leading by nine points after the first ten minutes of play.

When it was all going the Aces way they stalled out missing their first eight shots of the second quarter letting Washington outscore them 16-13 in the quarter. The Aces still had the lead at the half but had let the Mystics make the score just a bit close after two quarters 38-32.

The Mystics went into the third quarter with a lot of energy again outscoring the Aces 23-20 and after three quarters only trailed by three points 58-55. It was a new ball game and Las Vegas would again have to separate themselves from Washington in the fourth quarter.

The Aces did separate themselves from the Mystics with a Jackie Young takeover. She scored 12 straight points for Las Vegas down the stretch fending off a Mystic push. She finished off some terrific offensive play with a three-pointer at around the four minute mark. She would finish the night with a season-high 32 points that not only won the game 83-76 but also secured a spot in the playoffs.

GAME RECAP

It went exactly how the Las Vegas Aces saw this rematch beating the Mystics for a second time 83-76. There is always that one player on this team that steps up and tonight Jackie Young led the surge with an incredible scoring performance and some clutch shooting.

She took over the game and there wasn’t a whole lot that Washington could do about it. The Mystics did a great job limiting scoring by A’Ja Wilson but in doing so left Young open to wreak havoc. Wilson finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds and Jewel Loyd shot for 13 points off the bench but it was the Jackie Young show for most of the night.

Las Vegas had a solid defensive game forcing 12 turnovers that resulted in 21 points for the Aces. They limited the Mystics to 24-of-59 shooting and their protection in the paint also contributed to this win. The interior presence of A’Ja Wilson alone was daunting for Washington.

The one thing that Las Vegas will be looking to clean up as far as tonight’s game goes will be some disappointing shooting in the second quarter. Other than the rough patch in the second quarter they played a great game feeding the ball to the player with the hot hand Thursday night. Wilson lured them into double coverage leaving Jackie Young open and she took full advantage.

The Aces will be back on the court this Saturday evening taking on the number one team in the WNBA the Minnesota Lynx at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Las Vegas will get a taste of this year’s playoffs as they take on the best of the best. After these last two games they appear to be ready to take on any challenge. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 5:00 PM PDT.