Author: psushawn

Photo credit: Nick Wass (Associated Press)

By Shawn McCullough

Coming off a dramatic win in the second round of the playoffs, the Aces fell to the #1 seed Mystics 97-95 in Washington, D.C.

The Aces rallied back in the 4^th quarter with a 14-3 run, but Kelsey Plum missed a jumper at the buzzer which would have tied the game.

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 23 points, while Liz Cambage registered a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Kayla McBride also scored 19 points while going 3 for 5 from 3-point range.

The two teams will play the second game of the five game series on Thursday in Washington, D.C. before returning back to Las Vegas for Game 3.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Playoff Schedule:

Game 1 – Mystics 97, Aces 95
Game 2 – Thursday, September 19 – Aces at Mystics
Game 3 – Sunday, September 22 – Mystics at Aces
Game 4 – Tuesday, September 24 – Mystics at Aces (if needed)
Game 5 – Thursday, September 26 – Aces at Mystics (if needed)

Game Notes:

• The Aces shot 50% from the field, while holding the Mystics to 44.7%
• Las Vegas out-rebounded Washington 42-30.
• The Aces turned the ball over 13 times to the Mystics four.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
F – 1 Tamera Young

Photo credit: L.E. Baskow (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces first playoff game since 2014 did not disappoint.

Down 92-90, Dearica Hamby hit a running 3-pointer from 35 feet with 4.8 seconds left to give the Aces the 93-92 win over the Chicago Sky in the second round of the WNBA Playoffs at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

With the Aces down by two and soon looking to foul, Hamby picked off a pass by guard Courtney Vandersloot at mid-count, took one dribble and drilled the 35 footer.  The Sky later inbounded the ball, but forward Astou Ndour missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“I honestly panicked,” said Hamby on the game winning shot. “I got the steal and I kind of knew that time was running down, but I honestly completely blanked out that there was five extra seconds on the clock.  It just went in.  The basketball gods are obviously on our side.”

“I’m glad Hamby executed the play I drew up,” head coach Bill Laimbeer said jokingly.  “It was like ‘oh, no, no, don’t do that and then WHAM…. Great shot!'”

Liz Cambage led the Aces with 23 points while A’ja Wilson added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

“When Dearica made that shot, that was our x factor,” said Wilson. “I’m not surprised at all. Dearica pushed for this, she deserves this and that’s something I never really seen before and that’s crazy.”

With the win, the Aces advanced to the WNBA Semifinals to play a best of five game series against the number one seed Washington Mystics.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Aces WNBA Semifinals Schedule:

Game 1 – Tuesday, September 17 – Aces at Mystics
Game 2 – Thursday, September 19 – Aces at Mystics
Game 3 – Sunday, September 22 – Mystics at Aces
Game 4 – Tuesday, September 24 – Mystics at Aces (if needed)
Game 5 – Thursday, September 26 – Aces at Mystics (if needed)

Game Notes:

• Kelsey Plum scored 15 points, including going 3 for 5 from 3-point range.
• Las Vegas out-rebounded Chicago 44-36.
• The Aces shot 45.1% from the field.
• There were 20 lead changes in the game.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
F – 1 Tamera Young

Photo credit: Associated Press (AP)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces will get some well needed rest before their first WNBA playoff game.

Las Vegas clinches a first round bye with a 98-89 win over the Mercury in Phoenix.

“The season kind of went how I expected it to,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer. “A lot of ups and downs, trying to understand each other and learn how to win. We had our moments we looked very good, and moments where we looked really bad. All in all, to take the fourth seed and have a bye in the first round and a home game. We will take it.

The Aces were led by Liz Cambage with 21 points and nine rebounds.

“It has been a bit inconsistent, but if we can keep this energy and consistency heading into playoffs, I think we can go really far,” said Cambage. “Got our eyes on the prize but just have to take it each game as they come.”

Forward A’ja Wilson added 20 points going 6 for 6 from the field and 8 for 8 from the free throw line.

“I think we are just where we need to be, but we still have a lot more growth to get together,” said Wilson. “I think this is great momentum heading into playoffs.

With the win, the Aces finished the regular season at 21-13 and 4^th in the WNBA standings.

Las Vegas will have a bye in the first round and will play the highest seed coming out of the first round.  The game will be played on Sunday, September 15^th at 2 pm Pacific at the Thomas and Mack Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Aces out-rebounded the Mercury 36 to 26.
• Las Vegas shot 50% from the field (37-74).
• The lead change 15 times with 19 times tied in the game.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
F – 1 Tamera Young

Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

You want momentum heading into playoffs.  The Aces just don’t have it right now.

The Aces lost to the worst team in the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream, 78-74 in Atlanta and have now lost four of their last five games.

“We lost the game from start to finish,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer. “I don’t think we showed up to play a basketball game to win, I think we showed up to play. We thought it was going to be easy, it’s not.”

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Liz Cambage added 15.

“I think we just really need to come together, I’ll own up to that,” said Wilson. “I didn’t show the leadership that I could have to help bring our teammates up and help them get through the curves like they have been for me, so I take full ownership in that. We’ve got to get back to the drawing board and hopefully pull out wins.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 20-13 on the season and remain in 4^th place in the WNBA standings.

The Aces will play their final regular season game on Sunday in Phoenix against the Mercury before heading into the playoffs.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Dream out-rebounded the Aces 47 to 35.
• Las Vegas went 1 for 15 from 3-point range.
• The Aces shot just 38.7% from the field.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
F – 1 Tamera Young

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces found their winning ways in a 92-86 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

The Aces were led by forward A’ja Wilson who scored 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds.

“I have to give it to my teammates,” said Wilson. “They really put me in the best situations to create those shots and to get to the free throw line. And that’s what it’s all about it. Just finding the flow in our offense and getting the things done.”

Kelsey Plum came off the bench and scored 20 points while going 7 for 10 from the field including five 3-pointers.

“For me, it’s just continue to stay aggressive,” said Plum. “I’m just so grateful that I have teammates who always believe in me and encourage me.”

With the win, the Aces improved to 20-12 on the season and moved into 3^rd place in the WNBA standings.

With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Aces will finish on the road in Atlanta against the Dream on Thursday and in Phoenix against the Mercury on Sunday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• Dearica Hamby had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
• The Aces out-rebounded the Sparks 48-27.
• The Aces shot 47.7% from the field.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
F – 1 Tamera Young

Photo credit: Robert Scheer

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces once again dug themselves a hole early and couldn’t get out.

Las Vegas fell down 29-15 after the first quarter and lost to the Fever in Indiana 86-71.

“Well we’re searching,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer. “We know we got off to bad starts. Today was no exception. Right now we’re not a very good basketball team. We know that.”

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 18 points, while Liz Cambage added 15.

“We just have to go back home and regroup, honestly. That’s pretty much it,” said Wilson. “Bring a little bit more energy and come together. But I think the biggest thing, it’s on us.”

Laimbeer decided to change the starting lineup with Tamera Young replacing Kelsey Plum, but Plum came off the bench and scored 17 points, including going 5 for 9 from 3-point range.

“Whatever I can do for my team, that’s what I’m going to do,” said Plum. “And that’s what I’m going to continue to do, regardless if I’m starting or not.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 19-12 on the season and are in 4^th place in the WNBA standings.

With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Aces next return home to play the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Aces never led in the game
• The Aces shot just 33.8% from the field
• Indiana out-rebounded Las Vegas 44-37
• Kayla McBride went 0 for 3 from the field and played just 11 minutes and 14 seconds

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
G – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
F – 1 Tamera Young

By Shawn McCullough

The old basketball adage says, “You have to play four quarters”.

The Aces learned that to be true for the second straight game as they fell to the Lynx 98-77 in Minnesota.

The Aces trailed at halftime 45-43, but got outscored in the third quarter 28-15.

“They played harder than us. They wanted it more than us,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “We are a very tired basketball team right now but the league doesn’t stop. We need a little bit of rest but unfortunately we are still on the road and we have more games we have to fight in.”

Rookie guard Jackie Young led the Aces with 14 points, while Liz Cambage added 12.

“They were hitting shots. Everything. They just played harder than we did,” said guard Sugar Rodgers.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 19-11 on the season and fell to 4^th place in the WNBA standings.

The Aces will next play the Fever on Tuesday in Indiana.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Lynx shot 58.8% from the field, while the Aces were held to 42%
• The Aces turned the ball over 15 times
• Kayla McBride went 0 for 4 from 3-point range
• The lead changed only twice in the game

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Photo credit: Michael Blackshire/Las Vegas Review-Journal

By Shawn McCullough

The Connecticut Sun rallied in the second half to beat the Aces, 89-85, at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Aces played a solid first half, leading 56-47 at half time, but struggled in the 3^rd quarter.

“We kind of let our foot off the gas a little bit and that gave a good Connecticut team at home the energy,” said forward A’ja Wilson.

Wilson scored 17 points while center Liz Cambage added 18.

“The third quarter, we didn’t come out with the energy and they were a little more aggressive than we were,” said forward Dearica Hamby.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 19-10 on the season and remain in third place in the WNBA standings, 1.5 games behind the first place Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun.

The Aces will next play the Lynx on Sunday in Minnesota.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• With the win, the Suns won the season series against the Aces, two games to one
• The Aces shot 45.1% from the field, but only went 2 for 13 from 3-point range
• Dearica Hamby registered a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds)

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Photo credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces got 19 points each from A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage to win their 4^th straight game in an 84-79 overtime victory at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Wilson struggled with her shot for most of the game, but rose up in overtime by scoring nine of the 11 Aces points.

“The biggest thing that changed for me is I just let the game come to me,” said Wilson.  “I know I threw shots that I shouldn’t have thrown up but the fact that my teammates still trust me with a basketball is something that I take a lot of pride in.”

“A’ja was struggling the whole night and all of a sudden she plays great down the stretch. That’s who she is,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.

The Aces dominated the Mercury on the boards, 50-39, led by Cambage with 15 rebounds.

“I’m just trying to do my thing, I’m not in my head anymore,” said Cambage.  “Just going out there, trying not to mess up the plays and just focusing on getting rebounds and playing defense and letting the offense come from that.”

With the win, the Aces improved to 19-9 on the season and remain in third place in the WNBA standings, 1.5 games behind the first place Washington Mystics.

The Aces will next play the 2^nd place Sun on Friday in Connecticut.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• Both teams struggled shooting from the field – Aces 36.9%, Mercury 37.3%.
• There were 15 lead changes in the game.
• Guard Jackie Young finished the game with 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Photo credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough

By Shawn McCullough

It’s a little tough to re-start a game one month later being down by 15 at half time and have any hope to win the game.

The Aces and the Washington Mystics played just the second half of a game suspended back on July 5^th due to an earthquake in Las Vegas, with the Mystics winning the game 99-70.

The game back in July was suspended at halftime with the Mystics leading 51-36 due to the effects in Las Vegas of a 7.1 earthquake centered in Ridgecrest, CA, 226 miles away.

“It’s a weird day, weird time,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “We had a sliver of a chance there in the third quarter if we made a couple shots and didn’t give them open three balls but once that closed, it was a little difficult to come back against a team like that.”

The Aces were led by guard Kelsey Plum who scored 17 point including three 3-pointers.

“Obviously we were down by 15 [starting the game at halftime], you have to make something happen and play something fast and get the ball up quickly,” said Plum.  “Luckily a couple fell, but unfortunately they made a lot of shots and our defense wasn’t great.  We gave them second opportunities and they hit a lot of three balls. They are a really good team and if you give them extra possessions, they’ll make you pay for it.”

A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage both played in the first half of the game back on July 5^th, but both sat out the second half tonight (Wilson – Ankle, Cambage – Rest).

With the loss, the Aces fell to 15-8 on the season and dropped to 3^rd in the WNBA standings.

The Aces will next play the Chicago Sky on Friday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The first half of the game back on July 5^th was played at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, while the second half was played tonight at T-Mobile Arena.
• The Mystics’ 99 points are the most allowed by the Aces in a regulation 40-minute game this season
• Washington outshot the Aces 54.8% to 38.9% from the field

Game Starters (on July 5^th):

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum