Category: Las Vegas Aces

Aces Win Fourth Game of the Season Beating Minnesota 80-66

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The Las Vegas Aces Kelsey Plum scored 19 points and for Kelsey Plum had 10 points in their win over the Minnesota Lynx at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Wed May 29, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces X photos)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (4-1) continued their march toward a third championship Wednesday night led by A’ja Wilson as they took on the Minnesota Lynx (4-2) in Minnesota. They dominated the Lynx winning the game 80-66. The incomparable Wilson finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds . Jackie Young chipped in 19 points and 10 assists cruising to their fourth win of the season.

Wednesday night, the Aces traveled to Minnesota to take on the Lynx at Target Center. The Aces go around with a bullseye dead center on their backs these days. Every team out there is looking to unseat the two-time defending champs.

Teams may be trying to unseat the champs but trying and achieving are two completely different things. These ladies are tough as nails and other than the one loss this season they have been unstoppable and they are still looking forward to the return of Chelsea Gray which will make them even tougher. Aces management is in no hurry to bring Gray back. They are exercising extreme caution in her return as she continues to rehab.

Las Vegas won the opening quarter 18-16 in a close game but extended their lead by the half. They won the second quarter 25-18 and led going into the locker room 43-34. They would take the nine-point lead into the third quarter.

The Lynx were able to win the third quarter 22-19 but fell short in the fourth quarter. Time and time again the Aces have shut down teams in the fourth quarter and this game was no exception. They went on a 20-5 run in the second half which spelled the difference in this game. Las Vegas won the fourth quarter 18-10 finishing off Minnesota.

A’ja Wilson finished this game in style with 29 points, and 15 rebounds. This was Wilson’s fifth straight game with 20 or more points and at least 10 rebounds. Jackie Young also had an amazing game finishing with 19 points and 10 assists. Kelsey Plum chipped in 10 points and sixth assists.

Napheesa Collier shot the high for Minnesota with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

The Aces will not take the court until Friday night when they take on the Dream in Atlanta. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 4:30 PM. Las Vegas will be looking for their fifth win of the season in their quest for a third title.

Aces beat Indiana and Caitlin Clark, 99-80

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during pre-game of a WNBA basketball game on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces bounced back from a tough home loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday to beat the Indiana Fever, 99-80, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“We wanted it tonight,” said A’ja Wilson. “We actually played defense and got it done.”

Wilson led the Aces with 29 points and 15 rebounds.

“I am starting to read the defense better,” said Wilson. “I just try to get to my spots and dissect the game a little more.”

Guard Jackie Young scored 22 points, while Kelsey Plum added 20.

Rookie Fever guard Caitlin Clark scored eight points, pulled down five rebounds and added seven assists.

Clark played with Aces guard Kate Martin in college at Iowa.

“She was my teammate, but also one of my best friends,” said Clark. “She was with me for all of my four years at Iowa.”

Martin came off the bench to score 12 points and pull down seven rebounds.

“It’s just really cool,”, said Martin. “We are both living out our dreams and it’s great to experience that with your best friend.”

With the win, Las Vegas improved to 3-1 on the season.

The Aces will next play in Minnesota on Wednesday against the Lynx.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 47.9% from the field, while Indiana shot 42.9%.
Las Vegas went 13 for 35 from three-point range.
Each team equally pulled down 36 rebounds.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg
Kierstan Bell, Out, Lower Right Leg

Aces fall to Mercury, 98-88

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) jumps with Phoenix Mercury center Natasha Mack (4) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces lost their first game of the season in a 98-88 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“They came in and punched us in the mouth”, said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “We didn’t deserve to win the game”.

The Mercury got 37 points from forward Kahleah Cooper, while Sug Sutton added 12 points off the bench.

“I’m really happy how some of our bench players played”, said Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts. “We have nine players and we are going to play them every night”.

Guard Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 27 points, going seven for 14 from three-point range, while guard Jackie Young added 23 points.

A’ja Wilson scored 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

“We were not good defensively”, said Wilson. “This was a good test for us, because we are not there defensively”.

Guard Chelsea Gray remained out with a lower left leg injury, while guard Kierstan Bell was also out with a lower right leg injury.

With the loss, Las Vegas fell to 2-1 on the season.

The Aces will next play at home on Saturday against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 42.3% from the field, while Phoenix shot 47.4%.
Las Vegas went 11 for 31 from three-point range.
Each team equally pulled down 39 rebounds.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg
Kierstan Bell, Out, Lower Right Leg

Aces win second straight, top Sparks 89-82

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Las Vegas Aces forward Jackie Young (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces improved to 2-0 on the season with an 89-82 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 22 points.  Young added 11 assists, while Wilson pulled down 10 rebounds.

Kelsey Plum struggled from the field, going just four for 14, but hit three three-pointers for a total of 17 points.

Aces rookie guard Kate Martin played 26 minutes and scored three points.

Former Aces forward Dearica Hamby punished Las Vegas by going 12 for 16 from the field for 29 points.

Guard Chelsea Gray remained out with a lower left leg injury.

The Aces will next play at home on Tuesday against the Phoenix Mercury.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 42.5% from the field, while Los Angeles shot 51.5%.
Las Vegas went 13 for 31 from three-point range.
The Sparks turned the ball over 17 times.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg

Wilson scored 30 in season opening win over Phoenix

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) watches a shot with Phoenix forward Liz Dixon (20) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The defending back-to-back WNBA world champions started the season with an 89-80 win over the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“It’s the first game of the season and it looked like it,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “We will take the win. It wasn’t pretty, but it shows us that we have room for improvement.”

The Aces were led by forward A’ja Wilson, who dropped 30 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

“I just kind of took what the defense was giving me,” said Wilson. “My teammates fed me the ball and I was appreciative.”

Guard Jackie Young scored 23 points, while Kelsey Plum added 19.

“Today was our first game and tried to just shake off the nerves,” said Young. “We tried to be aggressive and execute our game plan.”

Las Vegas was without starting guard Chelsea Gray, who was out with a lower left leg injury.

“We don’t have our point guard right now,” said Wilson of Gray. “We are all trying to compensate for the organizer on the court who is gone.”

During pre-game, the Aces raised their second world championship banner and were presented with their championship rings.

“Ring night is always special,” said Young. “We were trying to have fun and enjoy the moment, but also remember that we have a game to play.”

The Aces will next play at home on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 40.8% from the field.
Las Vegas went just six for 29 from three-point range.
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady gave a pre-game speech in the Aces locker room.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg

Raiders Pull Off a Christmas Miracle Beating Kansas City 20-14

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Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) stops Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Christmas Day Dec 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) pulled off a Christmas Miracle Christmas Day Beating the Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) 20-14. The Raiders passing game was awful with 62 total yards. It was their rushing game in the final minutes of the fourth quarter that sealed this win along with some amazing defense which included two defensive touchdowns 7 seconds apart in the second quarter. 

Christmas Day bright and early, the Raiders took on the Chiefs under cloudy skies. The Raiders came into this game on a high after annihilating the Los Angeles Chargers 63-21 a few weeks ago in a national Thursday night matchup. Last Sunday the Chiefs took care of the New England Patriots 27-17. The Chiefs came into this game favored they have seen Kansas City stumble at times this season and Sunday was no different coughing up two touchdowns to the Raiders defense in just seven seconds in the first half.

In a most unlikely first half of football, the Raiders took a 17-7 lead into the locker room. The first quarter was not a great one for either team although Las Vegas did take a slim 3-0 lead after the first fifteen minutes of play thanks to the 24 yd field goal from Daniel Carlson. 

The second quarter unveiled a shocking reversal of fortune for Las Vegas in an insane defensive effort. The Chiefs scored a touchdown at 7:34 when Isiah Pacheco rushed for 12 yards, the touchdown, and this game began to indicate a Kansas City turnaround; that is when the Raider defense began to flex its muscle, not once but twice. 

With just under five minutes left in the first half, Bilal Nichols recovered a Chief fumble and took it eight yards for a touchdown. Las Vegas regained the lead 9-7 but did miss their two-point conversion attempt. 

Seven seconds later the Raider defense struck again when Jack Jones intercepted an attempted Mahomes pass returning it for 33 yards and a second touchdown. Nothing was going right for the Chiefs offensively and the Raiders offense was not much to brag about either. It was the defensive effort by Las Vegas that had given the Raiders the lead at the half.

There was not much going on for either team in the third quarter and it looked pretty much like the opening quarter of the game. Once again, the Raiders did score in the quarter, a 35 Yd field goal extending their lead 20-7.

It all came down to the fourth quarter. Could Las Vegas hold onto the lead and hand the Chiefs a loss and actually give themselves a chance to win their division? This was a game of incredible defensive at times and horrendous missed tackles at other times from the Raiders; a real mixed bag. 

With 9:47 left in the game, the Chiefs with no other choice went on a fourth and goal. The Raider defense stepped up yet again breaking up the pass intended for Rashee Rice in the end zone and took over on downs. 

Las Vegas was seven minutes away from a most unlikely win. The defense continued to put leverage on the Chiefs offense making life pretty miserable for Patrick Mahomes. The Las Vegas defense continue to make great plays in the end zone breaking up touchdown possibilities. 

At 2:42 Kansas City found the end zone for the first time since the second quarter and had pulled to within six points 20-14.

Las Vegas picked just the right moment to get their rushing game going. Zamir White had some game clinching runs. He started slow with a six yard rush followed by a 43 yard rush and finished it off with a 15 yard run and that was the ball game. 

The Raiders had pulled off a Christmas miracle. White finished the game with 145 yards rushing and along with the Las Vegas defense stunned Kansas City. The Chiefs were just plain sloppy with a capital S.

Next Sunday, the Raiders will take on the Indianapolis Colts looking for their third win in a row. They will play that game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 AM.

 

    

 

Aces Will Their Way To A Back To Back Championship Against all Odds 70-69

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Las Vegas Aces A’Ja Wilson (left) and owner Mark Davis (right) celebrate the Aces second consecutive championship with teammates at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn against the New York Liberty on Wed Oct 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Against all odds the Las Vegas Aces won a back to back championship 70-69 at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn. Despite playing behind the eight ball for most of the game they refused to give in. Every single player on the floor in this game was a part of this win. In the final possession Alysha Clark had the tough call guarding Breanna Stewart and she did not disappoint.

Wednesday evening the Las Vegas Aces (3-1) took on the New York Liberty (1-3) in game four of the WNBA championship series. The Aces dug deep as they faced their most daunting challenge in this game.

The shocking news for Las Vegas was the loss of not only starter point guard Chelsea Gray but also center Kiah Stokes both seen court side with boots and Stokes wearing not only a boot but walking with crutches.

It was a real blow for the Aces. They were so close to a back to back championship leading the series 2-1 but they were able to get over the hurdle. Gray’s absence on the court hurt since she has been a huge reason for their success this season and that was a real gut punch.

This is a tough bunch and the Aces had their core group step up. A’Ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young showed up big. Alysha Clark and Cayla George filled in on the starting roster.

Game 4 recap: There was a “hold your breath” moment in the early minutes of the first quarter. Jackie Young went down and remained down on the court for a bit but was apparently collecting herself.

A sigh of relief for Las Vegas as Young was able to get up albeit rubbing her left knee. Las Vegas could ill afford another injury. The Aces led early but the Liberty took the lead with under two minutes left in the first ten minutes 21-11.

The Aces defensive effort was almost palpable; they were trying with everything they could muster but they had some reckless turnovers that hurt them. Making things worse, A’Ja Wilson was on the bench with two personal fouls. The Liberty were creating chaos on the court and the Aces were having a lot of trouble handling New York. The Liberty led after one quarter 23-13.

The Aces continued to fight in the second quarter and cut the New York lead to four points 25-21. The Liberty came charging back and extended their lead to seven but Las Vegas would not be denied and five minutes into the quarter they trailed by a single basket 24-27.

The Aces pulled too within one point in the closing minutes but fell apart as the clock ran out missing four shots in a row with yet another turnover. The Liberty took a 39-30 lead into the locker room at the half.

Las Vegas won the second quarter by a single digit 17-16. They really had it going for a while in the second quarter but they would have to do it consistently in the second half. The Aces really cut down on the turnovers in the quarter with only two but they would need an even stronger offense if they hoped to get past a fully loaded Liberty team.

At halftime not a single Las Vegas player had double digits. They would need a whole lot more from Young and Plum who finished the first half with only five points apiece. The Liberty’s Betnijah Laney had 11 and Courtney Vandersloot had 12.

The Aces were able to contain the always dangerous Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones. They only managed 11 points between the three of them which was huge for the Aces. The key to a victory would be continued containment of Stewart, Ionescu and Jones as well as driving the basket for more points in the paint.

The Las Vegas Aces clawed their way into a winning third quarter 23-12 and leading 53-51 after three. They were one quarter away from a championship against all odds. The Aces went on a 16-2 run in the fourth quarter leading 60-53 but let that lead get away.

With 6:34 left in the game, the Las Vegas lead had dwindled to 60-58 and they had let the Liberty back into the game. With under five minutes left in the game it was all tied up at 62. The Aces started taking ill-advised shots and missing badly.

Las Vegas continued to fight through the fatigue which had to play a factor in this game and they had to take care of the basketball in the final three minutes. The Aces continued to keep B Stewart under wraps holding her to 3 of 17 shots.

With 41.7 left in the game Las Vegas had a 70-69 lead in a real nail-biter. With the 70-69 lead and 8.8 left on the clock the ball was in the hands of the Liberty. Clark had the unenviable task of guarding superstar Stewart and it was Clark who brought the championship home. The Aces had to call on every ounce of strength left in them in a most gritty performance.

After an amazing season the MVP Award went to Wilson who finished this game with another double double. She had 24 points and an amazing 16 rebounds. Young, George and Clark all finished with double digits. So now the Las Vegas Aces are Champions once again in this amazing dynasty.

Aces Drop Game Three As Liberty Force a Game Four 87-73

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The Las Vegas Aces A’Ja Wilson (22) tries to drive on the New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart (30) in first half action in game 3 of the WNBA Finals at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Liberty had a beautiful game plan and executed it to perfection winning game three 87-73. Kelsey Plum had the high in this game with 29 points but it was just not enough to get past New York. Chelsea Gray left the court with an apparent right left injury in the fourth quarter. Losing Gray would be a devastating blow to Las Vegas.

Sunday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (34-6) came into Barclays Center looking to finish off the New York Liberty (32-9) and take a back-to-back championship. The Liberty put the brakes on that sentiment. They were playing at home in this game and this team is nothing to mess with especially after the embarrassment they suffered last Wednesday night at the hands of Las Vegas 104-76.

The Liberty are a desperate team coming into this game and a desperate team is a dangerous team. While they had some great success during the season against the Aces, this is the finals and all bets are off. Having a 2-0 series lead is huge for Las Vegas and the odds are clearly on their side.

The opening quarter was a puzzling one. Both teams looked stale and it took a few minutes to get this game going. Las Vegas had some ugly turnovers in the first quarter. Both the Aces and the Liberty had trouble making shots but they got it going as the quarter wore on. The Liberty took a nine point lead with under two minutes left in the opening quarter but the Aces continued to push back trailing by three points at the quarters end 21-18.

New York continued to press the Aces in the second quarter. The most the Liberty led by in the second quarter was eight points and at the half it continued to be a three point game 43-40. The two teams had shot for 22 points apiece in the second quarter. New York who is the best three point scoring team in the league was giving the Aces a run for their money. Every time the Aces threatened, the Liberty poured it on but they were unable to take a sizable lead.

The Liberty got a nice lead going in the third quarter 51-40 at 6:47. The Aces had some disturbing turnovers in the quarter and the Liberty’s Jonquel Jones was having an amazing and dominating game from the start, and there was no shutting her down.

Mid-way through the quarter the Aces already had ten turnovers, some of them very careless. Kelsey Plum was the only Las Vegas player with double digits. The Liberty had shut down the rest of the starters including A’Ja Wilson who had only 11 points by the quarters end.

As the quarter began to wear down the Liberty had taken a 14-point lead, the largest lead in the game so far. The Aces would have to pull out all the stops in the fourth quarter to get past a determined Liberty squad trailing after three quarters 61-50.

The fourth quarter would decide if the Liberty could push this series into a game four. The Aces while known for being a second half team did not live up to their reputation in the third quarter and would have one more quarter to make a move.

It was slow going for Las Vegas but after trailing by 11 points had cut it to six points as they continued to chip away at the Liberty’s lead. It got even tougher in the final minutes of the quarter for the Aces when Chelsea Gray limped off to the locker room with an apparent right leg injury seemingly in terrible pain.

When the Aces were looking to make their move, they lost Gray and at that point the Liberty just took over the game. New York had their largest lead of the game with under two minutes left 84-67. There was no stopping the Liberty as they kept this series alive.

The Las Vegas Aces remain one game away from the promised land but should the team lose Chelsea Gray it would be a horrible blow. She is a vital part of this team and playing without her would be a tough call .

Kelsey Plum finished with the team high of 29 points. A’Ja Wilson had a double double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Aces will no doubt take what happened on the floor today personally and will come out with a new resolve as they try to finish off this series in game four. They do not want to have to go back to Las Vegas tied in the series 2-2. Tipoff for game four is scheduled for Wednesday night October 18 at 5:00 PM.

Las Vegas Aces Beat New York Liberty In Total Domination 104-76

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Things are going so right for the Las Vegas Aces that even forward A’Ja Wilson (22) is gliding through the air with the greatest of ease in game 2 of the WNBA Championship against the visiting New York Liberty at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed Oct 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Aces Superstar A’Ja Wilson show-cased her mid-range shots all night finishing with 26 points and 15 rebounds. She was instrumental in the Las Vegas domination of the New York Liberty winning game two 104-76 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. The Aces lead the series 2-0 with a chance to close it out and take a back-to-back championship this Sunday in New York City for game 3.

Wednesday night the Las Vegas Aces (2-0) have a chance to take a 2-0 series lead as they meet the New York Liberty (0-2) in the WNBA championship series. Playing game 2 Wednesday night at this is a huge game, that with a win, could make such a difference in this series for the Aces. The first two quarters in game one were very close and Las Vegas did not make a move until the second half of that game. They will be looking to get a fast start in game two.

The first quarter was an Aces’ blowout winning the opener 38-19. Wilson had 12 points in the first quarter and seven rebounds. When it looked as if the Aces had total control of this game everything changed as happens so often in this sport.

The Aces had one of the biggest quarters they have ever seen in the playoffs in the first quarter. The offensive effort was off the charts but in all fairness New York struggled mightily in the opening quarter and knowing this team they would turn things around and they sure did in the second quarter.

The second quarter was like night and day. The New York offense came to life in a big way and after trailing by as much as 22 points had cut the Aces’ lead to 52-44 at the half. The Liberty took Wilson out of the game in the second quarter allowing only a single basket from the superstar. The good news for the Aces was their second half reputation; finishing off opponents in third and fourth quarters. They would need to live up to this reputation to beat New York.

The Aces went right to work to right this ship in the third quarter. The Aces doubled their eight point lead in the first two minutes of the quarter. The Liberty could not control the deadly mid-range shots of Wilson.

She just does not miss and with 6:21 left in the third, the Aces had taken a 64-47 lead. As this game went on it became apparent that second chance shots would be a huge factor in the outcome.

This had become a real roller-coaster of a game with the amazing first quarter start for the Aces followed by the 25-14 second quarter for the Liberty. The third quarter was back in Las Vegas’ court with amazing offensive output. Through three quarters Wilson already had 24 points and 11 rebounds, another double double.

After three quarters Las Vegas led 80-57. The Aces won the quarter 28-13 and through three quarters already had 27 assists. They were one quarter away from a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Three minutes into the final quarter Las Vegas had taken an 87-58 lead and the Aces were leaving the Liberty in the dust. With under six minutes left in the game Las Vegas was toying with a 30 point lead and barring a total Las Vegas meltdown, the Aces would take a dominant advantage into New York. The Liberty made a bit of noise in the fourth quarter but had so much ground to make up it was fruitless.

Wilson finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Jackie Young had 24 points and Kelsey Plum had 23 in an amazing showing both offensively and defensively. The Liberty will be a different team in front of their home crowd but will be behind the eight ball going into game three.

The Aces take a dominant lead into New York with a chance to closeout this series and win a back-to-back championship. Game three will be played on Sunday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with tipoff scheduled for 12:00 PM PT.

Jackie Young and the Aces Win Game One Over the Liberty 99-82

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The Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) is feeling pretty positive in first half action of game 1 of the WNBA Championship at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Oct 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Aces Jackie Young led the charge with 26 points giving Las Vegas a game one win 99-82 in the opening game of this championship series at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

Sunday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (1-0) embarked on the first leg of their quest for a second championship. They took on the New York Liberty (0-1) in what promises to be a fight to the end.

As expected both teams came out strong in the first quarter with the Liberty narrowly taking the early lead 25-22. The second quarter was all knotted at 24-24. New York took a 49-46 lead into the locker room at the half.

All season, the Aces have notoriously been a second half team especially in the fourth quarter when they have time after time put games away. They would need a strong second half if they wanted to get past New York.

One reason that the Liberty had this lead was due to the deep shooting from bench player Marine Johannes who was 4 of 7 from beyond the arc and finished with 14 points.

The Aces turned it on the third quarter winning it 26-16 and taking a 72-65 lead proving their mastery in the second half of games. They did not back down as this game went into the fourth quarter playing with more intention and skill.

Going on a 9-0 run the Aces took the first double digit lead of the game 78-65 with 7:21 left in the game. Las Vegas’ Jackie Young was on fire already shooting for 26 points with nearly seven minutes left in the game.

The Aces had begun to take control of this first game of the finals. Las Vegas had a strangle hold on the Liberty forcing turnovers and desperate shot selection. The Aces continued to extend their lead in the final minutes of the game taking a 92-72 lead.

The Liberty were faced with having to speed up the game if they were to have any chance of winning leaving the door open for error. In all fairness, the Liberty continued to fight making some clutch three’s but as they began to put the starters on the bench they were clearly resigned to the eventual outcome. The Las Vegas ladies were brilliant in this second half winning game one by the score of 99-82.

The heartbeat of Las Vegas Chelsea Gray was seen throughout the game cheering, pushing and encouraging her team. She had 20 points along with Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young’s 26 points apiece.

Plum was totally exploited in the past few season games against the Liberty and she evidently had had enough and it really showed in this game. In the second half, the Aces defense on the outside really showed up limiting New York to a single shot from downtown.

A’Ja Wilson finished with 8 rebounds and 19 points. It took the opening half for the Aces to really get on track and once the second half hit, Las Vegas turned into a run-away train impossible to stop. They shot at 54% from the field and 40% from outside.

The Liberty had four starters in double digits with Breanna Steward the high score with 21 points and nine rebounds. New York may have lost the first game of this series but the battle has just begun and there is a long way yet to go.

Aces post game notes: These teams know each other so well and both teams have had success against each other during the regular season. Back in late June the Aces had a dominate win over the Liberty 98-81.

The Liberty crushed Las Vegas on August 6, 99-61 followed by a second win on August 15 by the score of 82-63. Two days later the Aces came back beating the Liberty 88-75. In this see-saw relationship the Liberty had yet another win over the Aces 94-85 in late August, the final time they would meet prior to the playoffs.

This finals has all the makings of some hard-fought battles from the two best teams in the WNBA.

Game Two will be played on Wednesday October 11th with tipoff scheduled for 6:00 PM. This second game of the series will again be played at Michelob ULTRA Arena with the Aces looking to take a 2-0 lead into New York.