Category: WNBA

Aces make the playoffs after a 100-85 win over the Sky in Chicago

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Photo credit: @LVAces

By Ana Kieu

The Las Vegas Aces not only defeated the Chicago Sky 100-85 at Wintrust Arena, they also punched their tickets to the WNBA playoffs.

The Aces’ starting five featured Kelsey Plum, Kayla McBride, Liz Cambage, Dearica Hamby and Jackie Young.

The Sky provided the home crowd with their daily dose of Courtney Vandersloot’s assists throughout in the first quarter. Cambage–who turned 28 today–stood out as an Ace with her birthday bucket midway through the first. The Sky barely led 23-21 at the end of the first.

The Aces, however, charged ahead in the second quarter. Cambage made more birthday buckets and A’ja Wilson blocked a shot that denied potential Sky points late in the second. The Aces outscored the Sky 26-18 en route to a 47-41 lead at the halftime break.

Cambage got down to business in the third quarter with a plethora of buckets, field goals and jumpers. Also, Sydney Colson was a speedy runner who knocked down jumpers and showed off tip-ins. Colson, a veteran guard, has proven herself as a leader in redirecting the Aces’ season in the desert. The Aces led 47-64 at the end of the third.

Plum managed to plow her way past Sky defenders to tip the ball into the net for extra points in the fourth quarter. Moreover, Wilson denied a Sky shot by rebounding the ball with a little over five minutes left in the fourth. The Aces played to a 100-85 win over the Sky on the road.

The Aces return home to host the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT.

Aces defeat the Dream 94-90 in Las Vegas

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Photo credit: @LVAces

By: Ana Kieu

The Las Vegas had hoped to wrap up their three-game homestand on a high note. The Aces hosted the lowly Atlanta Dream at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Tuesday night.

The Aces’ starting five featured Kelsey Plum, Kayla McBride, Liz Cambage, Dearica Hamby and Jackie Young.

Cambage got things started with a two-point field goal with 9:40 left in the first quarter. The Australian center continued to turn heads by knocking down a jumper just above the head of a Dream defender, making it 4-0 Aces with 9:06 left in the first.

McBride also turned heads with back-to-back three-pointers to give the Aces a 25-12 lead with 3:37 left in the first. The Aces led 27-24 at the end of the first.

The Dream, however, stormed back in the second quarter and outscored the Aces 25-16 for a 49-43 lead at the halftime break. Marie Gulich shined with three-point shots, especially her notable shot that put the Dream up 31-29 with 8:40 left in the second. The German center quietly had herself a night.

The Aces managed to outscore the Dream 27-26 at the end of the third quarter. Aces rookie guard Jackie Young was in a lot of traffic on the court, but got the job done by knocking down a jumper to help the Aces to a 85-77 lead with 5:25 left in the third. Kelsey Plum also came up clutch, knocking down jumpers of her own.

The Aces (17-9) defeated the Dream (5-20) by a final of 94-90. Hamby led all scorers with 23 points, 16 rebounds and three assists. Moreover, McBridge joined the 2,500 point club.

The Aces head to Wintrust Arena to take on the Chicago Sky on Sunday, August 18 at 3:00 p.m. PT.

Aces defeat the Sun 89-81 in Las Vegas

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Photo credit: @LVAces

By: Ana Kieu

The Las Vegas had hoped to rebound in Sunday’s home game versus Connecticut Sun at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Did it happen? Yes!

The Aces’ starting lineup featured Kelsey Plum, Kayla McBride, Liz Cambage, Dearica Hamby and Jackie Young.

The Sun got off to a fast start and edged the Aces 24-21 at the end of the first quarter. The Sun’s 7-0 run made it 14-13 Aces. Also, Bria Holmes came off the Sun bench and drained buckets. Holmes returned to Connecticut after missing the entire 2018 season due to pregnancy.

The Aces, however, played catch up in the second quarter. Kayla McBride drained back-to-back buckets to amaze the home crowd. The score was all knotted up 42-42 at the halftime break.

Kelsey Plum was on point with a noteworthy three-point shot in the third quarter. Moreover, Jackie Young wowed the masses by helping the Aces turn defense into offense like in the Aces’ last home game on Friday. The Aces led 68-57 at the end of the third quarter.

The Aces displayed perfect timing during a few moments in the fourth quarter. Tamera Young rebounded a pass from a Sun defender and tipped the ball into the net to put the Aces up 67-54 with 1:04 left in the fourth quarter.
Moreover, Liz Cambage netted a ball to help the Aces to more points before the buzzer sounded. The Aces (16-9) defeated the Sun (16-8) by a final of 89-81.

NOTES: The first 1,500 fans received a free Aces license plate frame.

The Players Tribune published Liz Cambage’s article Sunday morning. Cambage opened up about her depression and anxiety in “DNP-Mental Health” which not only brought attention to her personal battles, but also the belief the WNBA should expand on mental health policies like the NBA.

UP NEXT: The Aces wrap up their homestand versus the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m.

Aces drop heartbreaker to Sky 87-84

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Photo credit: @WNBA

By: Ana Kieu

The Las Vegas Aces were looking to win two in a row with a victory over the Chicago Sky at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Friday night. The Aces last defeated the Dallas Wings 75-70 at College Park Center last Saturday.

The Aces’ starting lineup featured Kelsey Plum, Kayla McBride, Liz Cambage, Dearica Hamby, and Jackie Young. The Aces were without A’ja Wilson, who is out with a left ankle sprain. Wilson collapsed to the floor after colliding with Cambage in the Aces’ game against the Seattle Storm at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on July 19th.

The Sky opened up the first quarter by scoring a handful of points. Stefanie Dolson hit plenty of three-pointers throughout the first. Dolson got past a few Aces defenders and hit a noteworthy three with 4:06 left in the first.

The Sky’s “uh oh” moment occurred with 1:09 left in the first. Gabby Williams made a long rebound to Diamond DeShields. DeShields knocked down the jumper to make it 24-10.

The Sky led 27-14 at the end of the first.

The Aces bounced back and outscored the Sky 27-21 in the second quarter. Sugar Rodgers provided a tremendous screen and knocked down a step-back jumper with 8:08 left in the second. Rodgers also delivered a sweet bounce that led to a three, pulling the Aces within seven, 31-24, with 6:35 left in the second.

The Aces trailed by seven, 48-41, at the end of the first half.

Aces rookie Jackie Young made a statement with a strong move that resulted in a two-point field goal, and as a result, the Aces trailed by two, 52-50, with 8:23 left in the third quarter.

McBride passed the ball to Cambage late in the fourth quarter. Cambage knocked it down for two. The Aces maintained a close game throughout the fourth, but they were unable to force overtime at the very least. Still, Young drained a clutch bucket to make it a one-point game with 2:10 left in the fourth.

The Aces (15-9) lost to the Sky (14-9) by a final of 87-84.

The Aces host the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, August 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Aces fall to Mystics in “earthquake” game, 99-70

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20190602 - Kelsey Plum 01

Photo credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough

By Shawn McCullough

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

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

Game Starters (on July 5th):

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

 

Without Cambage, Aces stop the Stars in the final minutes, win 75-70

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By Morris Phillips

With Elizabeth Cambage out resting on what was supposed to be the occasion of her return to Dallas, the rookie duel–Jackie Young versus Arike Ogunbowale–took center stage at College Park Center on Saturday night.

Young scored a career-best 17 points and the visiting Aces held on for a 75-70 victory despite the absence of their stars, Cambage and A’ja Wilson. The win gave the Aces the season series, 3-0, after the two clubs engineered the blockbuster trade on the eve of the season that brought Cambage to Las Vegas.

Both teams struggled with their shooting, and the Aces got bogged down with turnovers, but that didn’t prevent a spirited finish with both Notre Dame rookies making big baskets down the stretch.

With Dallas trailing 73-70, and seeking a tying basket with 8 seconds remaining, Young intercepted Kaela Young’s pass and was fouled. She converted both free throws for the final margin of victory.

Ogunbowale made three 3-pointers in the final 2:36, but could get the Wings no closer than a one-point deficit. The No. 5 pick in the WNBA draft finished with a team-best 24 points.

“We can’t miss defensive assignments like we did tonight. We can’t miss free throws like we did tonight,” said Aces coach Bill Laimbeer. “All the above leads to losses, but we’re fortunate we got a win on the road.”

Young, the number one selection in the 2019 draft, finished with a team-best 17 points.

“I think the biggest thing is playing hard, just having the confidence to make plays,” Young said.

The Wings fell to 6-16 with the loss while the Aces improved to 15-7, percentage points behind the red-hot Washington Mystics, and a half-game off the pace of the first place Connecticut.

Sparks cool off the Aces, 76-68

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Photo credit: Los Angeles Sparks

By Shawn McCullough

The Los Angeles Sparks snapped the Aces three game winning streak with a 76-68 win at Staples Center.

The Aces led by six in the 3rd quarter, but the Sparks went on a 13-2 run to take the lead for good.

“The second half we just turned the ball over again,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “We didn’t take care of the basketball, missed easy shots and lose again.”

Kayla McBride led the Aces with 19 points including three 3-pointers, while Dearica Hamby added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

“We need to take care of the ball,” said Hamby.  “Other than that, we just missed shots that we normally make.”

Liz Cambage scored in single digits (9) for the second straight game.

The Aces have still won eight of their last 10 games.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 14-7 on the season heading into their next game on Saturday in Dallas against the Wings.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • The Aces scored just 8 points in the 4th quarter. 
  • The Aces out-rebounded the Sparks 39-33.
  • There were 13 lead changes in the game.
  • Los Angeles connected on 42.3 percent of its field goal attempts, while Las Vegas made 35.2 percent of its shots.

Game Starters:

F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces blow out Wings, 86-54

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20180622 - Dearica Hamby 01

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

The Las Vegas Aces showed that when their stars are either not available or have an off night, the bench can win games also.

Dearica Hamby, filling in for injured forward A’ja Wilson, scored 18 points, while going 6 for 8 from the field and hitting two 3-pointers in an 86-54 win at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

“I know people always talk about the post all-star hangover, but we did a really good job of setting the tempo very early and played good defense,” said Hamby.

Tamera Young came off the bench and scored a season high 18 points.

“It’s always important to play well and help out,” said Tamera Young.  “We’re finishing out the second half of the season, making a run at playoffs, so the bench has to come in and do our part. I think we did a great job of that tonight.”

All-Star center Liz Cambage went just 1 for 12 from the field for six points.

“Basically what we did tonight is what we were supposed to do, win a basketball game,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “By two or by 32, it doesn’t really matter we just need to get the home win.”

The Aces (14-6) have now won eight of their last nine games heading into their next game in Los Angeles against the Sparks on Thursday at the Staples Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • The Aces held the Wings to just 28.6% from the field.
  • Liz Cambage’s 50 game streak of scoring in double digits came to an end (6 points).
  • The Wings have now lost 16 straight games on the road.
  • The Aces had 27 assists in the game, to Dallas’ 11.

Game Starters:

F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 21 Kayla McBride
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Team Wilson wins All-Star game, 129-126

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20190727 - Cambage McBride 01

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service

photo from espn.com from the main page: Indiana’s Erica Wheeler, undrafted out of college, sought to put on a show in her All-Star debut. She succeeded

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–Aces forward A’ja Wilson couldn’t help her team in the WNBA All-Star game because of a sprained ankle, but she knew that she drafted a team that would win.

Team Wilson held on to beat Team Della Donne 129-126 in the 2019 All-Star game at the Mandalay Bay Event Center.

“I’m glad I drafted them correctly,” said Wilson on her team.  “To get my first win as a captain, it’s super special.  I couldn’t have done it without any of them.”

Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer coached Team Wilson, while center Liz Cambage and forward Kayla McBride started for Laimbeer.

Cambage scored eight points with six rebounds, while McBride dropped 13 including three 3-pointers.

“This is just kind of a way for us to give it back to women’s basketball, the WNBA, the league,” said McBride on the All-Star experience.  “These are All-Stars for a reason. They’ve been the elite in the league, the best women’s professional basketball league in the world.  This is the best of the best, it was amazing.”

Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler won the game MVP scoring 25 points including seven three-pointers.

The Aces (13-6) will start their second half of the season on Tuesday against the Dallas Wings at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

McBride falls short in WNBA’s 3-point contest

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cover photo from sfgate.com Connecticut Sun’s Shekinna Stricklen reacts after winning the 3-point contest during the WNBA All-Star festivities Friday, July 26, 2019, in Las Vegas

galley photos: Shawn McCullough Sports Radio  Service

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Las Vegas Aces G-F Kayla McBride during the WNBA 3-point contest at the 2019 All-Star weekend (Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service)

By Shawn McCullough

Aces G-F Kayla McBride got a second chance to improve on her second place performance in last year’s WNBA 3-point contest.   Unfortunately, Connecticut Sun’s G-F Shekinna Stricklen had something to say about that.

Stricklen beat McBride in the final round by one point, 23-22, to win the 3-point contest and $10,000 for her charity Room 29:11.

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Connecticut Sun’s G-F Shekinna Stricklen, winner of the 2019 WNBA 3-point contest (Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service)

McBride led all shooters in the first round, also with 22 points, to advance to the finals against Stricklen, who scored 21 points.

McBride finished second also in last year’s 3-point contest in Minnesota to Chicago Sky’s G Allie Quigley.

First Round

 

  • Kayla McBride (Las Vegas) – 22
  • Shekinna Stricklen (Connecticut) – 21
  • Allie Quigley (Chicago) – 19
  • Kia Nurse (New York) – 14
  • Erica Wheeler (Indiana) – 12
  • Chelsea Gray (Los Angeles) – 8


Final

  • Shekinna Stricklen (Connecticut) – 23
  • Kayla McBride (Las Vegas) – 22