Category: Las Vegas Aces

Aces beat Sparks 94-78 Friday night to knock LA out of first place

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
ACES Drive Lane
The Aces won by driving to the basket and taking mid-range shots Photo: @LVAces

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The 10th place Las Vegas Aces played like World Champions on Friday night as they shocked the league-leading Los Angeles Sparks with an offensive barrage that led the underdogs to an impressive 94-78 victory on their home court. The Las Vegas (6-11) win not only surprised the Sparks — it knocked Los Angeles out of first place in the WNBA into a tie for second place.

The Sparks (11-5) are a team that has feasted on their opponents at home in LA. They own a 7-1 record at home, but entered the contest on Friday night with a road record of 4-3. The Aces knew about that road record and wanted to take advantage of it.

There was only one lead change in the game. The Sparks jumped out to an early lead, but the Aces kept chipping away at that lead until they erased it. The Aces’ Kayla McBride hit a 3-point basket with 2:05 remaining in the first quarter to give Las Vegas a 16-15 lead. The Aces would never trail the Sparks again in the game.

A’ja Wilson led the scoring attack for the Aces. She put up 29 points shooting 50 percent (10-for-20) from the field and converting 9-of-11 (81.8 percent) opportunities from the free throw line. Wilson also grabbed nine rebounds, added four assists and made three steals in her 35-plus minutes of playing time.

Las Vegas point guard Kelsey Plum came up big for her team, scoring 14 points while hauling in nine rebounds to go with five assists. She did not commit a turnover while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Plum was also the Aces’ leading 3-point shooter who hit 2-of-3 attempts from downtown.

ACES Hamby
Dearica Hamby was very effective coming off the bench for the Aces Photo: @LVAces

Dearica Hamby was productive coming off the bench for Las Vegas. She scored 13 points, had four rebounds, dished out five assists, made two steals and blocked a shot in her 25 minutes on the floor.

Kayla McBride scored 12 points, recorded seven rebounds and had three assists. Tamara Young put up five points and had five rebounds.

The Aces shot 51.6 percent (33-for-64) for the game and hit 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) from behind the arc. Las Vegas went to the free throw line 31 times and converted 23 of those chances.

Las Vegas also had to be proud of their defense in their big win. They held the Sparks to just 39.7 percent (29-for-73) shooting overall in the game. Los Angeles did excel at 3-point shooting by hitting 13-of-28 (46.4 percent) from long-range, but the Aces defense stopped the Los Angeles mid-range shooting game, which kept them from making a comeback.

The other area that really hurt the Sparks was their inability to get to the free-throw line. They had only 12 chances from the line in the game and made only seven of those opportunities. LA attempted just two free throws in the first half.

ACES LA
Graphic: @LA_Sparks

Chelsea Gray led the Sparks in scoring with 22 points. Essence Carson added 17 points and six rebounds. Odyssey Sims came off the bench to record 11 points for LA.

The Aces will have very little time to savor their victory as they will have to face the Sparks in Los Angeles this Sunday. Remember — the Sparks are 7-1 at home this season.

Tipoff on Sunday is scheduled for 1:00 PM PDT.

Aces lose a hard fought battle, fast paced game at home to Dallas Wings 97-91

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

McBride working hard
Kayla McBride had a career night on Wednesday night for the Aces Photo: @LVAces

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings gave the 5,246 fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center a full 40-minute show on Wednesday night in the desert. There was no quit in either team as they fought back and forth for the lead. There were 18 lead changes in the contest as Dallas prevailed 97-91 at the final buzzer.

The Aces were led by shooting guard Kayla McBride, who put up a game-high and career-high 38 points in the game. She shot 14-for-22 from the floor and hit 2-of-2 from behind the 3-point line. McBride also went to the free throw line nine times and converted eight of her chances at the charity stripe. She also recorded three assists, three rebounds and two steals in the heartbreaking loss on her home court.

AjA working at the rim
A’ja Wilson had a double-double game for the Aces but is was not enough Photo: @LVAces

Forward A’ja Wilson was the other big contributor for the Aces. The potential All-Star dropped 22 points on the Wings and made it a double-double game by grabbing 15 rebounds. Wilson dished out eight assists and went a perfect 8-for-8 for the free throw line.

Both McBride and Wilson played 36-plus minutes for Bill Laimbeer’s Aces in the game.

Diggins-Smith was all over
Diggins-Smith did it all on defense and offense for the Wings in their win Photo: @dallaswings

The Dallas Wings were paced by their point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, who was on the floor from the opening tip to the final buzzer. She scored a team-high 29 points while distributing eight assists. Diggins-Smith shot a blistering 52.9-percent from the floor (9-for-17) and hit 2-of-6 from 3-point land. She also played some tenacious defense.

8 gave fits all game
Cambage was a major factor on the floor for the Wings against the Aces @LVAces

Center Liz Cambage was also a major presence for the Wings on Wednesday night. She recorded a double-double, putting up 17 points and hauling in 11 rebounds. Cambage also had three assists and two blocked shots. She also was an intimidating force on defense.

As a team, the Wings had four players score in double-figures. They shot 45.7-percent (32-for-70) overall and hit 10-of-28 from behind the three-point line. The Wings converted 23-of-30 (76.7-percent)  opportunities at the free throw line. The posted 32 team rebounds. Dallas had 20 assists and 11 turnovers meeting that 2-to-1 ratio goal.

The Aces had just the two players in double-figures. As a team, they shot 43.7-percent (31-for-71) from the field. They hit 50-percent of their 3-point attempts, but they attempted only eight shots from long distance. The Aces did have an incredible night at the free throw line as they hit 25-of-27 attempts for a 92.6-percent conversion rate. Las Vegas grabbed 36 rebounds (11 on offense). They recorded 24 assists against 13 turnovers.

“We played hard enough to win,” said coach Bill Laimbeer. “I think we’re a little frustrated by the fact that we can’t get over the hump. But at the same time, it’s our fault because we’re doing the little things wrong.

The loss drops the Aces record to 5-11 (.313) on the season and puts them in 10th place. The victory evens the Wings record at 7-7 (.500) and they are now in seventh place in the league standings.

The Aces will return to action on Friday night when they will host the best team in the WNBA — the Los Angeles Sparks. The Sparks have an 11-3 record, but are just 4-2 on the road. The Aces need to take advantage of that at home.

The Wings head back to Dallas where they will host the sixth-place Minnesota Lynx (8-6) on Sunday.

Aces schooled by defending champion Lynx 88-73

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20180624 - A'ja Wilson 03

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

The Minnesota Lynx showed why they are the defending WNBA champions.

The Aces never led in the game as the Lynx beat Las Vegas 88-73 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday.

The Lynx experience showed on the court against a young Aces team as Minnesota shot 55.1% from the field.

“They have what we need to acquire, that’s mental toughness,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer. “We have to go out and beat them. They are not going to beat themselves and we didn’t come out tonight to beat them. We came out to play a basketball game and it showed.”

“It all boils down to mental toughness, so it is definitely something that we need to learn as we grow,” said guard Kelsey Plum. “They beat us today because they were just tougher than us.”

Kayla McBride led the Aces with 17 points, while Plum added 15.  A’ja Wilson scored 10 points with seven rebounds.

“You have to act like you have been in situations before and know how to pull out of it from a mental standpoint,” said Wilson. “The game is a lot of mental toughness and that is what we need.”

The Aces trailed by only six points at halftime, but the Lynx went on a 14-4 run to start the third quarter.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 5-10 on the season.

The Aces will next play two more games at home against Dallas and Los Angeles.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (10) for the 15th straight game.
  • The Aces were held to 41.4% shooting from the field.
  • Moriah Jefferson (knee) did not play due to injury.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 12 Nia Coffey
C – 19 JiSu Park
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces improve to 2-0 against Liberty with 88-78 win

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20180622 - A'ja Wilson 13

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

There’s nothing better than coming home after playing five of the last six games on the road.

The Las Vegas Aces battled in a close game down to the end and pulled out an 88-78 win over the New York Liberty at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Friday night.

Las Vegas went on a 10-4 run with 2:31 remaining in regulation to secure the win.

“We won,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “But we didn’t play well.  We are getting better.  We would have lost this game six or seven games ago.”

“It’s always good to get a win at home,” said A’ja Wilson.  “It was tough.   There were times that we didn’t really come out with a lot of energy.”

Kayla McBride led the Aces with a season-high 27 points while Wilson scored 20 and pulled down 14 rebounds.

“I give Kayla McBride all the credit in the world for willing this victory for us,” said Laimbeer.  “She stood up and was the determining factor in this game.”

With the win, the Aces improved to 5-9 on the season.

“It’s definitely big for us,” said Wilson on the win. “Just the momentum going here at home will help us out.”

The Aces will next play three straight home games against three of the better teams in the WNBA: Minnesota, Dallas and Los Angeles.

“We have to continue to make a statement especially when we are at home,” said McBride. “We need to continue to have confidence and we are going to be really good.”

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (20) for the 14th straight game.
  • The Aces held the Liberty to 37.5% shooting from the field.
  • 5,478 Aces fans attended the game.
  • The Vegas Golden Knights’ backup goaltender Malcolm Subban was in attendance
  • Moriah Jefferson (knee) did not play due to injury.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 12 Nia Coffey
C – 19 JiSu Park
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces dominate the boards, beat Storm 87-77

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Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

The Las Vegas Aces got their fourth win of the season in an 87-77 win over the Seattle Storm at KeyArena on Tuesday night.

The Aces out-rebounded the Storm 43-25 as A’ja Wilson pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds, while JiSu Park added 11 rebounds.

Wilson led the Aces in scoring with 25 points, while Seattle’s Breanna Stewart had a game-high 27 points.

Kayla McBride dropped 17 points, including three baskets from 3-point range, while Tamera Young came off the bench to add 17 points.

The Storm got to within four points with just under six minutes remaining in regulation, but the Aces went on an 11-2 run to seal the game.

With the win, the Aces improved to 4-9 on the season.

The Aces will next return home on Friday to face the New York Liberty at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 12 Nia Coffey
C – 19 JiSu Park
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces lose to streaking Mercury 92-80

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20180617 - A'ja Wilson 11

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

Diana Taurasi and Brittany Griner combined for 52 points as the Phoenix Mercury won their eighth straight game beating the Las Vegas Aces 92-80 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday night.

A’ja Wilson scored 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while Kayla McBride scored 20.

Wilson, in just her 12th professional game, learned in-game from facing Griner and adjusted as the game progressed.

“I had to knock a couple down in front of her, then I could use my versatility,” said Wilson.

Griner did have very good things to say about Wilson.

“She’s an awesome player,” said Griner.  “I would be very shocked if she doesn’t get rookie of the year. She’s just going and scoring. I am excited to see how she grows.”

Getting two wins during their recent four game road trip gave the young Aces momentum.

“The road trip was really good for us to get wins on the road and we carried some momentum,” said McBride.  “We are still learning, still growing and trying to get better.”

“We are getting better,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “We are still very young, but we are learning. I am seeing great progress.”

The Aces are now 3-9 on the season and next travel to Seattle to play the Storm on Tuesday.

The Aces next home game will be on Friday, June 22nd against the New York Liberty at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 19 JiSu Park
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces fall to Wings 77-67 to complete four-game road trip

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By Shawn McCullough

The Las Vegas Aces had no answers on how to stop Dallas center Liz Cambage.

Cambage scored 28 points and pulled down 18 rebounds as the Aces two game winning streak came to an end in a 77-67 loss to the Dallas Wings at College Park Center in Arlington, TX.

The Aces were led by guard Kayla McBride who scored 22 points, while A’ja Wilson added 14.

The Aces struggled from the field shooting just 41.7% and were dominated on the boards 43-27.

With the loss, the Aces fall to 3-8 on the season and will now head home to play the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • A’ja Wilson has scored in double figures (14 tonight) in all 11 games so far this season.
  • Nia Coffey was activated coming off an ankle injury and scored three points off the bench in just under 10 minutes. Las Vegas native Sequoia Holmes was released to make room for Coffey.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 19 JiSu Park
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum