Category: Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas Aces commentary with Barbara Mason: Aces tested by Hammons suspension got a passing grade on opening night in Seattle

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Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) pushes through the defense of Seattle Storm guards Jordan Horston, left, and Jewell Loyd, right, during the first half at Mandalay Events Sports Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP News photo)

Aces Shine Dominating Storm In Season Opener 105-64

By Barbara Mason

This weekend the WNBA regular season got underway with a number of games already played on Friday night. Saturday the defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces (1-0) took the court against the Seattle Storm (0-1). The Aces have had a challenging off-season going back to early 2023.

There have been serious allegations that has certainly cast a dark cloud over the start of the season for this team. Head Coach Becky Hammon will miss the first two games due to a suspension handed down by the WNBA for violating workplace policies. There is still a lot more to all of this than meets the eye. In spite of the distractions of the Hammon suspension the Aces pulled off a opening night victory at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle 105-64.

This has most certainly been a distraction for the Aces as this is only one of many issues they were facing during the off- season. That being said, this opening game is an important one that will shed a lot of light on the entire situation and how this team will handle all of this going forward. There has to be one focus for the team right now and that is their quest for another title.

The opener against the Storm will give the Aces a lot of answers and they will have A’Ja Wilson, the reigning MVP in last years championships, and company divulging the queries that many have right now. With so much spotlight on all of this it’s time to flip the script and turn it in the direction of the game-it’s time to play ball.

As the first quarter came to an end the Aces held an 18-14 lead struggling from the floor but still able to maintain the lead for most of the quarter. Kelsey Plum who had shoulder surgery in the off-season had eight points in the quarter as did Jackie Young.

In the second quarter the Aces turned on the offensive firepower that is their trademark and less than two minutes into the quarter had a 25-14 lead with a lot of game still to be played. With less than two minutes left in the half, the Storm went to the line for the first time in the game.

The Aces distanced themselves from the Storm in the second quarter leading at the half 43-28. Las Vegas had outplayed the Storm at every vantage; rebounding, points in the paint and from the perimeter. The Aces chemistry played a huge part in the second quarter of this game and pushing the lead to 15 Las Vegas continued to extend their lead in the third quarter forging ahead to a 74-48 lead.

Seattle’s Jewell Loyd had her teams high with 15 but she was the only player with double digits after three quarters. The Aces already had four players in double digits and A’Ja Wilson was having an impressive defensive game with 13 rebounds.

The entire Aces starting lineup finished with double digits. In the fourth quarter the Storm had their first second chance basket just indicative of the Las Vegas defensive dominance. in this game. The final was 42 point blowout. The offensive chemistry and the defensive brilliance was just to hot to handle for Seattle.

The Aces had 50 rebounds to the Storm 32, almost 55% from the field and over 60% from beyond the arc. It was about as solid as you could get. A’Ja Wilson clocked her 55th double double, a franchise record. There remained little doubt regarding how the team would play in the absence of their coach Becky Hammond. It speaks volumes of the chemistry that this team has in place.

The Aces will head back in California to take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces start season with blowout win over Seattle 105-64

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) blocks the shot of Seattle Storm guard Kia Nurse (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

By Shawn McCullough

The defending WNBA world champions had no problem rolling over the Storm in Seattle, 105-64.

Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum each led the Aces with 23 points, while A’ja Wilson added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

“It’s not easy,” said Wilson despite the blowout win. “We’ve got newcomers that have to get used to the system. We ourselves as the core are still trying to get to know and jell with everyone. I think it’s just going to come with time.”

The Aces were without head coach Becky Hammon, who is currently serving a two-game suspension from the WNBA for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.

Tyler Marsh was the acting head coach.

“I’m a coach’s kid, so I grew up in coaching,” Marsh said. “For my dad to be out here just to see me coach and for my wife and my son to be out here, that’s the sentimental part for me.”

Newly acquired center Candace Parker debuted with 12 points.

The Aces will next travel to Los Angeles on Thursday to face the Sparks.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 54.8% from the field.
Las Vegas went 11 for 18 from three-point range.
The Aces starting five scored 85 of the 105 total points.

Game Starters:

C – 3 Candace Parker
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back

Las Vegas Aces report: Becky Hammom Suspended 2 games Over WNBA Violations; Hammon to miss opener in Seattle Saturday

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Former Las Vegas Aces Dearica Hamby left, looking up and smiling and below seated on the right Aces head coach Becky Hammon who starts her suspension on opening night Sat May 20 when the Aces are scheduled to face the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle ( 2022 photo from TMZ file)

Becky Hammom Suspended Over WNBA Violations

By Barbara Mason

There have been a number of issues surrounding the Las Vegas Aces since February. The allegations that the defending champs had circumvented the WNBA’s salary cap making under the table payments to players. This violation, if proven, could lead to the stiffest discipline in the league since the New York Liberty was fined $500,000 in the 2021 season for chartering of unsanctioned flights to away games.

It doesn’t stop there; the Aces have also been under fire lately after former Ace Dearica Hamby posted some news on social media surrounding her trade to the Los Angeles Sparks. She claimed unprofessional and unethical treatment revolving around her pregnancy that she has claimed was traumatizing.

The WNBA has been investigating Hamby’s claim of being lied to, bullied, manipulated and discriminated due to her pregnancy. The Aces have been cooperating with the WNBA. It has been a tough road for the team because of the friendships that have evolved season in and season out.

Last season, the Aces won their first WNBA title under first-year coach Becky Hammon. This team looked to be ready and primed to repeat with their latest signing of Candace Parker and defender Alysha Clark. Both of these players took pay cuts looking to join this team and work towards numerous titles, in fact core players from last year took the same pay cuts.

Today the verdict came down on the comments made by Becky Hammon. The former Spurs assistant coach will miss two games without pay and will lose their first-round draft pick in 2025. It was decided that the team had violated the WNBA’s league and team respect in the Workplace policies.

While Hamby did not single out anyones name to the comments made, she did say that she was told that she was not taking precautions and that she was traded because it was stated that she would not be ready for the new season. The team also claimed that she was not taking her workouts seriously. They did tell her that it was best for her career that she move on from Las Vegas.

The league’s investigation was comprised of 33 people who were interviewed as well as texts, emails and other documents. So now the Aces are being disciplined for not upholding the values of integrity and fairness. The loss of their first-round draft pick in 2025 is the first time this has been done in league history. The Aces are not done; they are also facing other questionable conduct charges. We will have to wait to see if anything comes of these additional charges.

Defending Champion Aces Top Liberty 84-77 in Preseason Matchup

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@LVAces photo

Defending Champion Aces Top Liberty 84-77 in Preseason Matchup

By Barbara Mason

Just as the NBA enters the 2022-23 finals, the WNBA is just getting underway with their preseason. Saturday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (1-0) welcomed the New York Liberty (0-2) to Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas their first match-up of this pre-season.

The Aces as defending WNBA champions will be looking for a back-to-back title. This was their first title and they are looking for a repeat. They will be led by MVP Chelsea Gray, A’Ja Wilson, Candace Parker, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum; a lethal starting lineup.

The Aces won the first quarter leading 22-15. In the second quarter Las Vegas turned that seven point lead into a 20 point lead 50-30 at the half. Three of the Aces starters already had double digits. Kelsey Plum had the high score in the first half with 17 points. Gray and Wilson both had 13 points as well as each of them with six rebounds apiece.

After the nice lead that the Aces held over the Liberty at the half, New York challenged Las Vegas in the third quarter. The Aces edged the Liberty in the quarter 23-22 still leading 73-52.

The Liberty ramped it up in the fourth quarter cutting the Las Vegas lead in half with 5:21 left in the game. The Aces were holding onto a 76-66 lead. The Liberty got as close as eight points but the Aces extended their lead in the final three minutes of the game. The Liberty made a move in the final minute of play trailing 75-81 but just ran out of clock. The Aces made a final run winning the game 84-77.

Kelsey Plum had a terrific game finishing with 22 points, the team high. A’Ja Wilson had 17 points and seven rebounds. Kierstan Bell also had double digits off the bench with ten points. The Aces were ten of 25 from downtown.

Next up for the Aces will be on Saturday May 20th in a matchup with the Seattle Storm. That weekend will kick off the regular season. This will be a road game for the Aces with tipoff scheduled for 12:00 PM.

WNBA Report: Tom Brady becomes part owner of Las Vegas Aces

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The Las Vegas Aces introduced former NFL quarterback Tom Brady as part owner of the Aces Thu Mar 23, 2023 (image from @ LVAces)

By Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez

Thu Mar 23, 2023

LAS VEGAS–Former seven time Super Bowl quarterback Tom Brady announced Thursday that he is joining the WNBA’s Champion Las Vegas Aces as part owner. Brady said he’s a huge fan of women’s sports and has had a love for women’s sports at a young age since his older sisters took him to their games. Brady added that they were the best athletes in the house.

Brady tweeted the announcement by video and was very happy and excited about his newest venture since retiring after the 2022-23 NFL season. Brady said he was excited to be part of the Aces organization and hopes to contribute “as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor.”

Brady’s ownership stake as a minority partner joining Aces majority owner Mark Davis who is also owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. “Since I purchased the Aces our goal has been to win on and off the court. Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces and the WNBA but women’s professional sports as a whole.”

Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez cover the Las Vegas Aces for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

The Las Vegas Raiders in 2022: A season of hope that turned downright disastrous

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham (3) slides after running for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal (54) defends during the second half at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Sat Jan 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

LAS VEGAS — It was a season that never was for the Las Vegas Raiders.

The team known for its slogans such as “Commitment to excellence” and “Just win baby” did that exact opposite during their 2022 tumultuous football campaign.

Out was Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock. In was new general manager David Ziegler and new head coach Josh McDaniels, both came from a winning culture and organization that is the New England Patriots.

Owner Mark Davis, wanted to mirror what the Patriots had done for the past two decades and that is have a team that contended for the Super Bowl. New free agents were brought in to help the defensive side of the ball such as Chandler Jones. Pairing him with All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby was supposed to give the Raiders a formidable pass rush.

Ziegler made the ultimate splash of the off season when he traded for All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams for two first round draft picks. He reunited Adams, who has always wanted to play for the silver and black, and his college quarterback from Fresno State, Derrek Carr.

The offseason brought hope to a franchise for the first time since the 2017 season where there were high expectations back then. This was the year the Raiders were supposed to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West, but instead they finished 6-11, with almost half of those losses they blew a double-digit lead in the second half.

So, what went wrong for Las Vegas? I believe the biggest issue with Las Vegas was the coaching staff led by McDaniels. This was McDaniels second stint as a head coach after being an offensive coordinator for many years with New England.

McDaniels just did not have the ability to prepare this team to play for 60 minutes. The first evidence of this was in the second game of the season where Las Vegas led the Arizona Cardinals 23-7 in the second half. Not only did the Raiders not score any points in the second half, but they also allowed quarterback Kyler Murray to make an improbable comeback which the Cardinals eventually won in overtime.

They also had double digit leads on Kansas City, Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, only to fail to protect the lead and allow those team to make triumphant second half runs to come back and win the game.

A big factor of why the Raiders weren’t able to hold those second half leads was the conservative play calling and not utilizing the talents of Adams and running back Josh Jacobs.

When asked what kind of grade McDaniles think he should have given himself with all the second half failures during the season, the first-year head coach didn’t want to look in the mirror and decided not to point fingers.

“I’m not going to grade anybody. But look, I mean, we are what we are. I know there’s things I can do better and I’m going to evaluate myself first and do a better job of what I’m doing, what I’m responsible for. I’m going to try do that with our entire team,” McDaniels said.

The Raiders became the fourth team in NFL history to have a wide receiver to have with over 1,500 receiving yards and a running back rush for over 1,500 rushing yards in the same season. Quite a feat, which would be an occasion worth celebrating if not for the way they limped out of the playoff race.

The Raiders defense was a bent but not break outfit that kept the team in games all the way up till the end. The offense sputtered it chances in potential game winning drives. Many factors could be blamed on the play calling, the lack of quality of play from Carr toward the end of the season, the offense line that was inexperienced and would miss assignments that would result in sacks or interceptions of Carr.

Speaking of Carr, in case you wanted even more drama from this organization, he was benched for the final two games of the regular season. Carr decided to leave the team for good and the organization also feels the same way as they look for their next starting quarterback once the offseason begins.

Players such as Adams were visibly frustrated about the team’s lack of success this season.

“Sure, anytime you don’t make the playoffs, this is my third time not making the playoffs, so at the end of the day…I’m not here to put a label on, a title, as the most frustrating (season), but it’s always frustrating when you don’t win the whole thing. I’d love to have a shot at trying to get into it (the playoffs) than what we did this year,” Adams said.

The Raiders left many questions needing to be answered at the end of 2022 than it did at the end of last season, where they won their final four games to make the playoffs with an interim head coach. Some of the key questions they will need to answer this offseason include:

If they are truly done with Carr at quarterback, do they bring another veteran to replace him? Will they be able to trade him and get something in return or just out right cut him and eat up those final years of his contract? Does Jarrett Stidham deserve a chance to be the number one QB? Do they go out and draft one and groom him to eventually be the new franchise quarterback?

Will they want to keep Jacobs and possibly have to overpay him to stay? Will Jacobs want to test the free agent waters and see if the best season of career can parlay into a big pay day?

Will the coaching staff stay intact, and does it deserve to be or do changes need to be made?

How much of a lease will Davis have McDaniels as the head coach in 2023?

Those are just some of the issues Las Vegas will have to deal with and it’s going to be a very steep mountain to climb in order to get the Raiders from being pretenders to contenders.

Las Vegas Raiders game wrap: Raiders Challenge Best Defense In Football But Lose In Overtime 37-34

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) reacts after scoring a 60-yard touchdown during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Jan 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

Raiders Challenge Best Defense In Football But Lose In Overtime 37-34

By Barbara Mason

It sure has been an interesting week for the Las Vegas Raiders (6-9) as they prepared to take on the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) at Allegiant Stadium. With two games left in the season there has been a changing of the guard if you will as Derek Carr was benched giving 26-yr-old Jarrett Stidham the nod for the final two games. This would be his first career start.

This was not all that surprising when you look back on the season; the losses mounting, the blown leads: so many games that they should have won. You could see the writing on the wall long before today’s game.

Since the emergence of wonder kid quarterback Brock Purdy San Francisco has looked invincible. Nothing could have prepared us for what we would see in this game.

You would expect some early adjustment with changes at the helm. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Jarrett Stidham commandeered his team downfield culminating in a 24 yard. pass to Darren Waller for the touchdown and the early 7-0 lead. San Francisco would answer at 7:06 to tie up the game. Brock Purdy would find Brandon Alyuk for a couple yards and the touchdown. The first quarter ended with a 20 yard Daniel Carlson Field Goal giving the Raiders a 10-7 lead after the first 15 minutes of play.

The 49ers would take the lead in the second quarter 14-10. Purdy would connect with George Kittle for 2 yards. The extra point was good and San Francisco would take their first lead of the game. When it looked as if the 49ers would take the lead into the half, Las Vegas struck again. With ten ticks left on the clock Stidham found Davante Adams for 4 yards and it was the Raiders that took the 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.

It had been a crazy and unlikely first half but the best was yet to come. Las Vegas would extend their lead in the third quarter. At 10:22 Stidham would throw his third touchdown pass of the game. He found Davante Adams for 60 yards giving the Raiders a 24-14 lead. At 5:22 SF running back Christian McCaffrey rushed for 14 yards and the touchdown pulling to within three points of Las Vegas.

San Francisco would tie up the game in the fourth quarter at 24. Robbie Gould kicked a 43 yards Field Goal. Gould would make a second kick at 6:44. This was a 24 yards Field goal giving the 49ers the lead 27-24 in a wild and wooly game. With the clock winding down, Las Vegas tied up the game again. Carlson made an amazing 57 yards Field Goal to knot it up at 27. The number one defense in football was being sorely tested by the Raiders.

The 49ers came right back taking the lead 34-27 with 2:17 left in this game. The Raiders were far from finished even with so little time left on the clock. Stidham would complete a pass to Adams for 45 yards which set up a one yard rush from Josh Jacobs to tie up the game at 34 with 1:11 left in the game. When it looked as if it would be a certain win for San Francisco Robbie Gould missed a 41 yard Field Goal and this game would go into overtime.

Las Vegas won the coin toss to start overtime. On the fourth play of the first possession Stidham tried to hit Adams but ended up throwing his second interception of the game setting San Francisco up deep in Raider territory. Robbie Gould would redeem himself kicking a 23 yard field goal giving the 49ers their ninth win in a row.

You may have not been acquainted with Stidham prior to this game but he sure made an impact and very nearly came away with an amazing win. Stidham finished with 365 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Davante Adams had 153 receiving yards. Stidham found six different receivers; all of them for at least 19 plus yards. It was probably the best game Las Vegas had played this season.

Brock Purdy finished with 284 passing yards and two touchdowns . He had one interception. The San Francisco running game was all about Christian McCaffrey with 121 Yds.

Las Vegas will finish the season next Sunday taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. There will be no post-season for the Raiders but all eyes will be on Stidham next week. If the Raiders see another game like today’s game, the Raiders just may have a real diamond in the rough for next season. Kickoff Is January 8th but the time is still TBD.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Franco tribute motivated Steelers win that ended Raiders post season hopes

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) scores during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh on Sat Dec 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 Above the topic of the Pittsburgh Steelers pulling out a miracle win against the Las Vegas Raiders in Pittsburgh on Saturday the tribute before the ball game for former Steelers star Franco Harris who ran back a deflected pass from former quarterback Terry Bradshaw during the 1972 AFC Championship for the immaculate reception for the win over the Raiders seemed to have motivated the Steelers before the game.

#2 The Raiders had the lead for most of the game Tony and it all started with in the first quarter when wide receiver Hunter Renfrow caught a 14 yard pass from quarterback Derek Carr for a touchdown making it 7-0.

#3 The Raiders Daniel Carlson rounded out all the scoring they would get for the rest of Sunday night with five seconds left with field goal in the second quarter. In the second half who would think leading by a touchdown going into the half this would be an end to the Raiders post season hopes?

#4 Talking about that second half what was badly needed for the Raiders who were shutout for two quarters in the third and fourth quarters.

#5 Tony, the Raiders will play their last two regular season games for pride now they take on the red hot San Francisco 49ers who have won eight straight games. Can the Raiders defense get past the 49ers O line and put pressure on 49er quarterback Brock Purdy?

Join Tony for the Raiders podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Los Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Is Josh McDaniels losing the team; Question on the Raiders focus in letting games get away

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Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) gets a hand on the football to break up an intended pass for the Las Vegas Raiders Devante Adams (17) on Sun Nov 6, 2022 in Jacksonville (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 With the Las Vegas Raiders latest loss dropping them to 3-6 they’re playoff hopes looked dashed short of a miracle.

#2 One of the reasons why the Raiders playoff hopes look dimmer and dimmer is just the amount of blown plays and mistake they have made particularly in in their last two road games in New Orleans and Jacksonville.

#3 During training camp first year head coach Josh McDaniels tried to explain to his players the ways of how not to lose. It might be possible that the players forgot that early lesson McDaniels tried to lay down.

#4 The Raiders wide receiver Devante Adams said the Raiders strayed away from what worked earlier in game but the Raiders just couldn’t get any offense going in the second half and quarterback Derek Carr saying serious internal discussions needed to take place.

#5 Those serious discussions that Carr was talking about has to take place and get solved soon enough as the Raiders prepare for Indianapolis Colts for this Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Colts have lost three in a row the Raiders hope to push to extend that losing streak this Sunday.

Rich Perez is filling in for Tony Renteria for this Tuesday’s Raiders podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Cardinals score OT TD to defeat Raiders 29-23; Arizona’s Murphy returns 59 yard fumble

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams takes a leap of joy after scoring a first half touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 18, 2022 (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Arizona Cardinals (1-1) scored the game winning touchdown in overtime when linebacker Isaiah Simmons knocked the ball out of the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders (0-2) wide receiver Hunter Renfrow to be picked up by cornerback Bryon Murphy for a 59 yard return in overtime.

#2 There was even doubt if Murphy’s touchdown was legit officials checked to see if Murphy let go of the ball before he crossed the goal line. After further review the video officials ruled that Murphy did hold onto the ball long enough to score the game winning touchdown.

#3 The Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was credited for keeping them in the game throwing 31 for 49 for 277 yards, for one touchdown and one interception.

#4 The Cardinals were down at the half by 20 points but were able to come back and win the contest by six points in the end and it was Murray who just keep working his receivers, running backs and keeping the ball taking it to the Raiders.

#5 The loss was the Raiders second loss against no wins and the Raiders go back to the drawing board against the Tennessee Titans who lost a close game Sun Sep 11 to the New York Giants and are in Buffalo for Monday Night Football Sep 19th. The Raiders will make the trip to Tennessee Sun Sep 25th. How do you see the Raiders matching up with the Titans who have two games in less than seven days?

Rich Perez does the Raiders podcasts following all home and away games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com