Author: psushawn

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces won the best of three series, two games to none, over the Seattle Storm with an 83-76 victory at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“It’s never easy. That’s a team [Storm] that has multiple champions on it,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “They threw us a couple good punches, but I’m happy with how we responded.”

The Aces were led by guard Kelsey Plum with 29 points, going 11 for 15 from the field and two for six from three-point range.

“I threw everything out from game one. I started over in game two,” said Plum. “The good thing about this team is that anyone can step up at any time.”

WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson added 24 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

“We were resilient,” said Wilson. “We know what it takes and not let the game slip from our hands.”

The Aces will next advance to the WNBA semifinals to play the New York Liberty in a 5-game playoff series starting in New York on Sunday.

“New York is a lot better than last season,” said Plum. “For us, we have to focus on what we do.”

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 47.0% from the field.
Las Vegas went seven for 22 from three-point range.
The Aces outrebounded the Storm, 45-30.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 0 Jackie Young
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

None

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces fell to 2.5 games back of third place Minnesota in a 98-87 loss to the Lynx at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“Some of our big studs were not grinding tonight,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “We made so many mistakes and it was my big dogs.”

Guard Jackie Young led the Aces with 26 points, going six for eight from three-point range.

“I think we just have to do a better job executing the game plan and not making as many mistakes,” said Young.

Kelsey Plum scored 20 points, while A’ja Wilson added 15 points and nine rebounds.

“They shot 60% from the field and they made us pay,” said Plum. “They were better than us tonight.”

The WNBA is coming off a break for the 2024 Olympics, but six Aces players traveled, played in France and didn’t have any time off.

“There is a point in the season where it becomes mental,” said Plum. “Obviously people have had a month off, but six of us haven’t.”

With the loss, Las Vegas fell to 17-10 on the season.

The Aces will head out on a three-game road trip starting in Minnesota on Friday against the same Lynx team.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Lynx shot 59.4% from the field.
Las Vegas went 13 for 30 from three-point range.
The Aces were outrebounded by the Lynx, 31-28.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 0 Jackie Young
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

None

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces bounced back from a tough loss in Los Angeles on Friday with a 104-85 win over the Dallas Wings at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“That’s [Dallas] a good offensive team,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “It was just about taking care of us.  We are just trying to win basketball games.”

The Aces were led by A’ja Wilson with a double-double, scoring 28 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

“Coming off that loss in L.A., it hurt,” said Wilson. “To bounce back and to have games like this, you need that ‘pick me up’.”

Wilson became the leader in most points in franchise history, surpassing Sophia Young-Malcolm at 4,300 points.

“It means a lot and it’s very special,” said Wilson. “To get it at home is truly special.”

“It’s a pleasure to be around her,” said Hammon of Wilson. “She is the best basketball player in the world along with being the best person in the world.”

Kelsey Plum dropped 23 points, going three for nine from three-point range, while Jackie Young added 18.

With the win, Las Vegas improved to 13-7 on the season.

The Aces will head out on a three-game road trip starting in Seattle on Wednesday against the Storm.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 45.7% from the field.
Las Vegas went 14 for 36 from three-point range.
The Aces outrebounded the Wings, 40-37.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 7 Alysha Clark
F – 12 Chelsea Gray
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

None