Category: WNBA

Aces rally in second half, beat Wings, 89-82

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) waits for a rebound during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces rallied from down nine points at halftime to beat the Dallas Wings, 89-82, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“These are the best players in the world, so in the second half, we adjusted,” said guard Alysha Clark.

“We had a lot of turnovers in the second half,” said forward Jackie Young. “We just tightened up in the second half.”

Young led the Aces with 28 points, while guard Chelsea Gray added 20.

“Jackie and Chelsea really imposed their will,” said head coach Becky Hammon.

“I tried to be aggressive from the start and get downhill,” said Young.

A’ja Wilson dropped a double-double, scoring 22 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.

The win was the Aces ninth in a row and Las Vegas improved to a perfect 10-0 at home.

The Aces were without point guard Kelsey Plum, who was out with a non-Covid illness.

“[Kelsey] Plum is a huge deal to us,” said Hammon. “She does some things both offensively and defensively that our other players don’t do.”

With the win, the Aces improved to 16-1 on the season and will head to Dallas on Friday to face the Wings once again.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 46.2% from the field.
Las Vegas went nine for 20 from three-point range.
With a short bench, the Aces got just two points off the bench.

Game Starters:

C – 3 Candace Parker
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back
Kelsey Plum, Out, non-Covid illness

Aces Punish Suns in Final Regular Season Game Between The Two Teams 102-84

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Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray (12) is defended by the New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney (44) and forward Breanna Stewart (30) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Jul 1, 2023 (AP News photo)

Aces Punish Suns in Final Regular Season Game Between the Two Teams 102-84

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (15-1) took on the Connecticut Sun (12-5) at ULTA Michelob Arena looking for a little payback. The Sun are the only team that has managed to beat Las Vegas this season. Las Vegas extended their outstanding season record with a win 102-84. This was third and final game between these two teams in the regular season.

Despite not making a single three in the first ten minutes of play, the Aces held a ten point lead 30-20 at the end of the first quarter.

At the half the Aces held onto a 59-48 lead. The Sun got hot from beyond the arc hitting five in the first half while the Aces hit their first of the game in the final minute of play. As expected the Sun’s Dewanna Bonner finished the first half with 17 points. A’Ja Wilson had the high for the Aces with 14 points and seven rebounds.

Las Vegas continued to extend their lead going on a 11-0 run at 7:28 in the third quarter overwhelming the Sun 70-48. The Suns had four turnovers in the first half of the quarter. With under six left in the third the Aces had a 16-0 run and the Sun were helpless to do much about it.

Connecticut had more struggles in the game when Tiffany Hayes was ejected. She flashed the money sign insinuating cheating and that didn’t fly with the referees and she was out. The Suns cut the Aces lead to 84-65 with a mini 6-0 run to end the third quarter. It would turn out to be way too little way too late.

The Aces put this game away in the fourth quarter finishing off Connecticut 102-84. The run that Las Vegas is on right now is amazing and with the starters on the bench in the final minutes, everyone had a hand in this win. On top of it all, the bench is getting some precious minutes of play and some invaluable experience.

Las Vegas kept the Suns Dewanna Bonner under wraps allowing her only two points in the second half. She finished with 19 points. Every Las Vegas starter had double digits in this game with Kelsey Plum the high with 25 points. A’Ja Wilson had another outstanding game with 23 points and 13 rebounds. It’s just what she does and she does it week after week.

The Aces will not take the court until next Wednesday. They will meet the Dallas Wings with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces Dismiss Liberty 98-81

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New York Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) shoots against the Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker (3) and guard Chelsea Gray, right, during first half action at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Thu Jun 29, 2023 in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

Aces Dismiss Liberty 98-81

By Barbara Mason

Thursday evening the Las Vegas Aces (14-1) welcomed the New York Liberty (10-4) in a battle of two powerhouses. This was another game played on the Aces home court at ULTA Michelob Arena. They have been home for the last three games and have two more games at home before heading out on the road. It has been a great home-stand for the team. They added another win their 14th game with a 98-81 victory on Thursday.

The Aces took the first quarter leading 28-22 with Kelsey Plum leading the charge. Las Vegas took their largest lead of the game in the second quarter 37-28 at 5:54. At halftime, the Aces continued to hold the lead but the Liberty had made up some ground after trailing by as much as thirteen points. New York had cut the Aces lead to 49-42.

The Aces were having great success from beyond the arc shooting at 50% as well as 60% from the field. Plum finished the half with 15 points. The Liberty kept chipping away at the Las Vegas lead with Breanna Stewart orchestrating the rally.

As the Aces have seen all season, Las Vegas is a second half team putting games away in the third and fourth quarters. The third quarter of this game was no exception. Las Vegas took a 20 point lead after three, 76-56. Every starting player for Las Vegas had double digits with Plum the high with 16 points.

With 8:22 left in the fourth quarter the Aces had taken a 25 point lead. A desperate team takes desperate shots and such was the case for the Liberty. New York could not get those shots to drop. With 2:28 left on the clock, the starters for Las Vegas sat while their bench took this game home.

The bottom line is that the Aces excel on every level and the Liberty could not keep up with them. They were simply outplayed by Las Vegas. The Liberty are a very good team with a very good record but few teams can handle the Aces if any. Las Vegas has been beating teams by an average of 20 points per game.

Saturday afternoon the Aces will meet the only team that has beaten them this season, the Connecticut Sun. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM and promises to be a battle from start to finish.

Aces Challenged By Fever; Las Vegas Winning in Final Minutes 88-80

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Las Vegas Aces Center Aja Wilson (22) is thrilled as the Aces pick up their 13th win of the season against the Indiana Fever at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Mon Jun 26, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Challenged By Fever; Las Vegas Winning in Final Minutes 88-80

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Las Vegas Aces (13-1) met the Indiana Fever (5-9) for a second consecutive game. The Aces battled with the Fever and came away with the win 88-80.

The Aces got a slow start in the first quarter and after the first ten minutes of play trailed 20-23. The second quarter was a war of wills with the Aces winning it by the score of 28-26. At the half, Las Vegas trailed by a single point 49-48. This was not the start that Head Coach Becky Hammon had envisioned. As the Aces have seen in past games, the Aces had put games away in the second half.

Las Vegas got going in the third quarter winning it 21-15 and leading 69-64. The Aces would have the fourth quarter to extend their lead and finish this game. Kelsey Plum had a slow start in the first half but got going in the third quarter.

Las Vegas has been challenged all season in the first half of games. They seem to thrive under pressure and this pressure brings out the best in this team. The Aces had to pull out all the stops in this game. With under three minutes left in the fourth quarter Las Vegas was clinging to a one- point lead 77-76 as the two teams battled this one out in the final minutes.

They have seen some great fourth quarter finishes all season and this game was no exception. The Aces mounted a final push in the final 60 seconds of the game extending their lead to 88-80, which was the final, for their 13th win of the season.

Chelsea Gray had the game high with 25 points. Candace Parker had 12 rebounds and A’Ja Wilson had 24 points and ten rebounds for another double double. Kelsey Plum finished with 17 after a very slow first half. The Aces were pushed to the brink and had to battle back continually throughout this game.

Game notes: Las Vegas won their last game against the Fever 101-88 played last Saturday and tonight these two teams met again in a back-to-back.

The Aces had a back-to-back in early June against the Connecticut Sun splitting the games handing the Aces their first loss of the season. Tonight another back-to-back for Las Vegas.

Las Vegas will be back on the court for another home game at ULTRA Michelob Arena on Thursday night taking on the New York Liberty. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces Continue Rampage Across WNBA Dominating Mercury 99-79; Win is their 4th in a row

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A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces takes some practice shots before the game against the Phoenix Mercury at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wed Jun 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

Aces Continue Rampage Across WNBA Dominating Mercury 99-79

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (11-1) traveled to Phoenix to take on the Mercury (2-9). Las Vegas extended their winning streak to five in a row with a 99-79 win over the Mercury. The Mercury played without standout Brittney Griner who remains sidelined with a hip injury.

The Aces got a solid start in the first quarter and got an early lead which they built on for the entire quarter. With less than a minute left in the quarter, the Aces went on a 10-0 run and led after the first ten minutes of the game 32-19.

The Mercury continued to hang in the game losing the second quarter 25-21. They were close in this quarter but it was the slow start in the opening quarter that hurt them.

The Aces led at the half 57-40. At halftime Las Vegas already had three players in double digits. Jackie Young had the high score for the Aces with 16 points. A’Ja Wilson had ten points and eight rebounds with Kelsey Plum rounding out the top three players in the first half with ten points.

The Mercury were far more aggressive in the second quarter and the Aces would have to get on top of that in the third quarter. The Aces were dominating in points in the paint in this game. This team is solid on so many levels.

They are number one in blocks, steals, rebounds and field goal percentage with 57% shooting an average of 91 points per game. The Aces continued to extend their lead as the third quarter came to an end. They had their highest lead of the game after three quarters 87-60.

The Mercury were faced with a monster challenge going into the fourth quarter. Phoenix made a small run but it was not enough to erase the 29 point lead that the Aces had in the game.

The high for the Mercury was Sug Sutton with 21 points. The Aces had three players with 20+ points. Jackie Young had the high with 23. A’Ja Wilson had another double double with 12 rebounds and twenty points.

Saturday evening Las Vegas will welcome the Indiana Fever to Michelob ULTA Arena. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Aces Demolish Lynx in Vegas 93-62

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The Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker (3) can see a win coming up against the Minnesota Lynx at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Jun 18, 2023 (AP News photo)

Aces Demolish Lynx in Vegas 93-62

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (10-1) continue their march through the 2023 WNBA season leaving just about every team in the league in their wake. They have only lost a single game this season and the fact that they have a target on their back has not deterred this team, in fact, it has spurred them on if anything.

Las Vegas picked up their tenth win of the season defeating the Minnesota Lynx (3-8) at Michelob ULTRA Arena Sunday evening 93-62.

The Aces have gotten some slow starts in games lately and the first quarter of this game was no exception. They did turn things around in the opening quarter and took a 26-22 lead. Las Vegas got their defense going and that turned this game around in favor of the Aces. The Aces turned the ball over only six times.

Las Vegas extended their lead in the second quarter. Jackie Young continued to bulldoze her way into the paint and finishing. Young along with Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum all had double digits at the half. The Aces had a 54-41 lead at halftime.

These players work hard and it’s easy to see how much fun they are having on the court. Their ball movement is like no other and the best news of all, only one turnover in the first half of this game. The Aces were shooting around 52% from the field while the Lynx were slightly under 40%.

The Aces really put pressure on the Lynx in the third quarter. Mid-way through the third Las Vegas began to really flex their muscle extending their lead 68-45. After three quarters, Las Vegas had a 74-48 lead. Going into the fourth quarter the Aces had a strangle hold on this game. The only Lynx that had double digits was Napheesa Collier with 18 points and she desperately needed her teammates to step up.

At 9:09 in the final quarter the Aces had a 30 point lead 78-48 their largest of the game. The Aces had complete control on the glass, in the paint as well as defensively. With five minutes left in the game, the starters handed this game over to the bench. This not only gave the starters a breather but also gave the bench players some invaluable experience that will serve the team well down the road as this season evolves.

This team achieved so much in 2022 winning the WNBA title. Now the work begins; the effort to maintain the greatness that got them to the title game. They are looking for another championship and anything less is simply unacceptable. From what we have seen so far this season, this team is primed and ready to take it all the way.

Wednesday afternoon the Aces will take on Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury. It is an early game with the tipoff scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Aces Steam-Roll Storm 96-63

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The Las Vegas Aces bench celebrate another victory at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas against the Seattle Storm in WNBA action on Thu Jun 15, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Steam-Roll Storm 96-63

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Las Vegas Aces (8-1) took on the Seattle Storm (2-6) at Michelob ULTRA Arena and steam rolled over the Storm 96-63. The Aces have one loss on the season to the Connecticut Sun last Thursday night but came roaring back with a win on Sunday over the Chicago Sky (93-80).

Thursday night Aces recap: Mid-way through the first quarter of this game, the Storm were holding their own against the daunting starting roster of Las Vegas. With 5:39 left in the opening quarter Las Vegas held a slim lead 9-8. Turnovers were hurting the Aces with 5 in the first five minutes of play. This was not the way Las Vegas wanted to start the game.

The Storm was putting up some nice defense that was keeping them in the game forcing a lot of those Ace turnovers. After the first ten minutes the game was tied at 17. Las Vegas had to clean up the turnovers going into the second quarter. They finished the first quarter with seven.

The Aces only average 13 turnovers per game and they already had eight in the early minutes of the second quarter. Las Vegas went on a 5-0 run with 4:35 left in the half; really needing to balance the points lost by those lost possessions.

At the half Las Vegas had put the brakes on the turnovers with none since 7:57 in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the half, it was the Storm that were struggling with turnovers. The Aces had their largest lead of the game at the half 47-37.

Jackie Young steamrolled her way though the third quarter giving the Aces a 67-52 lead. Las Vegas took control of the quarter committing only one turnover, shooting at 50% from the field, and A’ja Wilson had her 16th double double. It was all Aces in the third quarter.

The Storm put up a good fight in the first half but just couldn’t sustain the effort they had to start the game. The Aces ran away with the game in the second half crushing Seattle in the fourth quarter winning it 29-11.

Jackie Young had the high for the game with 28 points and A’Ja Wilson finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench, Kierstan Bell had an outstanding game with 12 points. The Las Vegas bench had a cumulative 20 points to Seattle’s one point. The Aces really cleaned up the turnovers with only four in the second half.

The Aces will take the court again this Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Aces Get Back On Track Taking Down the Chicago Sky 93-80

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The Las Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell (1) takes the ball down the floor against the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Jun 11, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Get Back On Track Taking Down the Chicago Sky 93-80

By Barbara Mason

After a rather disappointing loss to the Connecticut Sun last Thursday in convincing style 94-77, the Las Vegas Aces (8-1) got back on track Sunday with a 13 point win over the Chicago Sky (5-5) 93-80 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Last Thursday, the Aces were unable to contain DeWanner Bonner who had the game of her life, a career-high 41 points and there was just no stopping her. The Las Vegas starters just looked out of sync for the entire game and were never able to turn things around.

Sunday the Aces got a terrific start in the first quarter outscoring the Sky 24-15. They kept their foot on the pedal winning the second quarter 32-24 and leading at the half 56-39. They looked like a different team than Thursday; in sync and in control of the game. The Aces average 91 points per game, leading the league, and they sure looked like offensive leaders in the first half of this game.

They carried the momentum into the second half and won the third quarter 24-21. They still led 80-60 after three quarters but as the fourth quarter got underway Chicago tried to make a push. The Sky won the final quarter 20-13 but it was too little to make up the deficit they were facing.

The Aces starters all finished in double digits with A’Ja Wilson shooting for 21 points and 10 rebounds. This was her sixth double -double of the season. Kiah Stokes had a nice game off the bench with six points and five rebounds and has been contributing regularly.

The starting roster of Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Wilson were all back to the kind of basketball that we regularly see from them. They looked like repeat champions once again in this game.

Las Vegas will get some time off before taking on the Seattle Storm at home next Thursday. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM and can be seen on Prime Video.

Aces snap seven game win streak to Sun 94-77

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The Connecticut Aces Dewanna Bonner (24) takes a shot against the Las Vegas Aces at Mehegan Sun Arena in Montville CT on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (@espnW image)

Aces Drop First Game of the Season to Connecticut 94-77

By Barbara Mason

Thursday and the Las Vegas Aces (7-1) faced the Connecticut Sun (7-2) for a second game of this two game series. The Sun came out in this game the way that the Aces came out in their game Tuesday. They jumped all over Las Vegas and after the first quarter Connecticut had a 26-15 lead.

At the half the Sun extended their lead winning the second quarter 17-13. The half time score was 43-28 in favor of the Sun. Connecticut had incredible energy to start the game and they did not let down and ended the Aces seven game win streak 94-77.

Last Tuesday the Aces barely got past the Sun in a re-match of last years championship game. The Sun had an incredible second half after trailing 48-31 at halftime. The Aces had to pull out all the stops to get past Connecticut 90-84.

Thursday game wrap up: DeWanna Bonner was having an incredible game and the Aces had no answer. Bonner had 29 points going into the fourth quarter. The Sun kept their foot on the pedal leading after three quarters 64-52. The Aces were turning the ball over the likes that the Aces have not seen from this team with 18.

As the fourth quarter got underway it became obvious that there would be no stopping Bonner who finished with 41 points the 36 year-old’s career high. Las Vegas was playing from behind for the entire game. The Sun outplayed the Aces in the paint and most importantly on the defensive side of the ball. At times the Aces were struggling to keep up with the Sun who dominated.

The Sun brought the heat in this game and the Aces were lukewarm at best. This loss was their first this season; their season record is 7-1. After Connecticut’s loss last Tuesday it was a given that they would come into this game with a new resolve, and the Aces saw that from the start of the game and they never let down once.

This loss was a bit of a shocker. It was without a doubt the worst performance of the season for Las Vegas. The Aces lost in rough fashion by 17 points.

Sunday the Aces will be back on the court taking on the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Las Vegas will be looking to get back to business, back to what they do so well and that is winning. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Aces stay undefeated hang on to beat Sun 90-84

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The Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and the Connecticut Sun guard Tyasha Harris (52) take a photo before their game at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville on Tue Jun 6, 2023 (photo by @ LVAces)

Aces Hang On To Beat Sun 90-84

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Las Vegas Aces (7-0) took on the Connecticut Sun (6-2) in a re-match of last season’s championship game. This was the most anticipated game of the season and the Aces who took a perfect record into the game came away with a 90-84 win staying undefeated.

On Sunday the Aces very nearly lost to the Fever trailing for most of the game and in fact did not take the lead until the final minutes of the game avoiding the loss 84-80.

Las Vegas knew full well that there was a target on their backs and every team is out to take down the champions. The Aces had a strong defense against the Sun and they took advantage of their speedy offense. This game no doubt was the biggest challenge they had faced this season and the Aces lived up to it.

Tuesday game recap: The Aces got on top of the Sun in the opening quarter taking a 25-14 lead. The Sun had 6 turnovers in the quarter and had trouble containing the Las Vegas offense. The Aces shot 53% from the field in the first quarter, getting a far improved start over Sunday’s game against the Fever. The Aces had 13 fast break points to the Suns 0 in the quarter.

Las Vegas extended their lead in the opening minute of the second quarter leading 28-14. The Aces led in the half from start to finish and had a 48-31 lead at halftime. The Suns had 12 turnovers and also had trouble containing the Aces’ offense.

Las Vegas was shooting at 50% from the field and would have to keep the pressure on in the second half. Jackie Young shot for 11 points in the half and both Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray had ten points.

The Suns came into the third quarter with great energy on both ends of the court cutting into the Aces lead to 53-41. As the quarter came to an end Las Vegas led 70-53 finishing the quarter with the energy that they were lacking to start. The Sun had one quarter left to make any sort of run.

Connecticut made a run in the fourth quarter with Rebecca Allen shooting 22 off the bench. The 19 point lead that Las Vegas had in the quarter had been cut to three points 76-73 with 3:50 left in the game. The Sun had taken control of this game.

With less than two minutes left in this game the Aces were facing yet another challenge. Again it was Jackie Young to the rescue pushing the Las Vegas lead to 86-79. Young has come to the rescue over and over in the fourth quarter of these tight games. Las Vegas pulled it together in the final minutes of the game winning it. It was another tight game that the Aces had to fight hard to win.

Las Vegas is now undefeated with a 7-0 record. A’Ja Wilson finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and Jackie Young had 22. It was another gutsy performance by the defending champs hanging on for the win.

Connecticut Bench player Rebecca Allen had a career high 22 points and was 6 of 7 from beyond the arc. She single handedly gave her team an amazing chance to pull this game out. The Sun got very close, playing a terrific fourth quarter, but just fell short.

The Aces have not seen the last of the Sun taking them on again this Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.