Tag: Aces

Photo credit: Amy Lugibihi/Sports Page Magazine

By Shawn McCullough

The Las Vegas Aces seven game winning streak came to an end.

The Chicago Sky seem to have the Aces number, beating Las Vegas 84-82 in the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

The Sky also beat the Aces to start the season back on July 26th, 88-86.

The Aces were down 11 points with 2:40 left in the game and rallied to tie the game with an 11-0 run, but was unable to pull out the win.

Angel McCoughtry led the Aces with 17 points, while forward A’ja Wilson struggled again from the field going 3 for 12 and scoring just 11 points.

The Aces only got 29 points off the bench as guard Jackie Young also struggled going 1 for 10 from the field.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 8-3 on the season heading into their next game on Thursday against the Connecticut Sun for the first time this season.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• Las Vegas was out-rebounded 34-32.
• The Aces shot just 37.8% from the field.
• The snapped seven game losing streak was the longest streak for the team since it won 12 in a row in 2012.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

By Shawn McCullough

The Las Vegas Aces got 52 points off the bench in an 88-73 win over the Washington Mystics at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

Guard Jackie Young came off the bench and led the Aces with 16 points, going 7 for 13 from the field.

A’ja Wilson shot just 30% from the field scoring 12 points, while Angel McCoughtry added 11.

The Mystics kept the game close early in the first quarter, but later in the quarter, the Aces went on a 12-0 run to take control of the game.

The win improved the Aces to 2-0 against the Mystics this season, also beating Washington 83-77 back on August 5^th.

Las Vegas improved to 8-2 on the season and remain one game behind the first place Seattle Storm.

The Aces will next play the Chicago Sky on Tuesday.   Las Vegas fell to the Sky to start the season back on July 26th, 88-86.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• Las Vegas shot 53.8% from the field.
• The Mystics turned the ball over 18 times, to the Aces’ 10.
• A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 10th straight game to start the season.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: AP Photo/Mike Carlson

By Shawn McCullough

A’ja Wilson and Angel McCoughtry combined for 44 points in an 87-77 win over the Minnesota Lynx at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

Wilson bounced back from a rough game on Tuesday against Indiana in which she scored just 12 points while shooting 5 for 17.  Tonight, Wilson scored 23.

The Aces went on an 8-2 run at the end of the first quarter and never trailed after that.

McCoughtry scored 21 points, while Kayla McBride added 17 and Jackie Young dropped 16.

Las Vegas improved to 7-2 on the season and took over sole possession of second place, one game behind the first place Seattle Storm.

The Aces will have one day off before playing the Washington Mystics on Saturday.   Las Vegas beat the Mystics back on August 5^th, 83-77.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• Forward A’ja Wilson has scored in double figures in her first nine games to start the season.
• The Lynx turned the ball over 19 times, resulting in 24 Aces points.
• Las Vegas shot 48.6% from the field.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: AP Photo/Chris O’Meara

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces are on a hot streak.

Angel McCoughtry led the Aces with 20 points in a 98-79 win over the Indiana Fever at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

Aces All-Star forward A’ja Wilson struggled going just 5 for 17 from the field, but her teammates picked her up as Jackie Young scored 17 and Kayla McBride added 15.

“Angel [McCoughtry] played well and Jackie Young is getting better by the minute,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “Our energy level is what carried us.”

The Aces allowed the Fever to score 59 points in the first half, but held Indiana to just 20 points in the second half.

“They [Fever] made a lot of shots in the first half,” said Laimbeer.  “I made a little lineup tweak in the second half.”

The win was the Aces fifth straight victory which ties the franchise record since moving to Las Vegas.

The Aces improved to 6-2 on the season heading into their next game on Thursday against the 6-2 Minnesota Lynx.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• Forward A’ja Wilson registered her fourth double-double of the season scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
• The Aces shot 52% from the field and went 4 for 8 from 3-point range.
• Six Las Vegas players scored in double figures.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces struggled in the first half against the New York Liberty but took the lead late in the fourth quarter and held on for the win, 78-76, at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

A’ja Wilson scored a season high 31 points while leading her team to victory.

“At some point, A’ja just said jump on my back and I will carry you.  And she did,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.

Wilson is averaging just over 22 points per game this season.

“I knew that I couldn’t let my teammates down and that is what pushed me,” said Wilson.  “I said that we are not losing this game and we went after it.”

The Aces trailed at halftime, 44-37, and scrapped the entire second half until taking the lead for good on an A’ja Wilson jump shot with 6.9 seconds left in the game.

Jackie Young scored 15 points, while Dearica Hamby was a perfect 4 for 4 from both the field and the free throw line adding 13.

With the win, the Aces improved to 5-2 on the season heading into their next game on Tuesday against the 2-4 Indiana Fever.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Aces were just 1 for 8 from the 3-point line.
• Kayla McBride continues to struggle shooting just 1 for 7 from the field and going 0 for 4 from 3-point range.
• The Aces and the Liberty each had 30 rebounds.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal

By Shawn McCullough

Having two prolific scorers on one team is huge in the WNBA and the Aces have that in forwards A’ja Wilson and Angel McCoughtry.

The duo combined for 50 points and 19 rebounds as Las Vegas rolled to their third straight win beating the Sparks, 86-82 at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

Wilson scored a season high 26 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

“Angel is so easy to play with and it is great to play alongside of her,” said Wilson.  “She is a multi-Olympian gold medalist.”

McCoughtry added 24 points going 8 for 15 from the field.

“To have an A’ja Wilson, hopefully it’s like a better Shaq and Kobe dynamic,” said McCoughtry.

The win moved Las Vegas into a 3^rd place tie with Phoenix and Chicago in the standings at 4-2.

“Quality win for us,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “It puts us up at 4-2 and keeps us with the leaders.”

The Aces will next play on Sunday against the 1-5 New York Liberty.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• Only four Aces players scored more than five points in the game (Wilson – 26, McCoughtry -24, Jackie Young – 15, Dearica Hamby – 10)
• Las Vegas turned the ball over 18 times.
• The Aces shot 50% from the field.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

By Shawn McCullough

It’s always a good test when playing the 2019 WNBA champions to assess a team’s potential.  The Aces proved that they could very well be an elite team in the league.

Forward A’ja Wilson scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead Las Vegas to an 83-77 win over the Washington Mystics at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

Wilson scored 20 or more points in three of her first five games of the season, averaging 19.8 per game.

Guard Danielle Robinson came off the bench and also scored 20 points, shooting 7 for 12 from the field in just over 23 minutes.

Guard Kayla McBride dropped 14, while forward Angel McCoughtry added 13.

The Mystics all-star forward Elena Delle Donne did not play in the game after opting out of the 2020 season in the bubble.

With the win, the Aces improved to 3-2 heading into their next game on Friday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Aces shot 49.1% from the field and held the Mystics to just 41.9%.
• The Mystics took 26 shots from 3-point range, making eight.
• Dearica Hamby registered a double-double scoring 12 and pulling down 13 rebounds.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: Steve Nesius/AP

By Shawn McCullough

After a tough loss to Phoenix on Friday, the Aces needed a bounce back game and got it with a balanced team effort.

Five players had 10 or more points as Las Vegas beat the Dallas Wings, 79-70, at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

“Important win for us, at 1-2, we needed this win very badly,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “Overall our defense was solid.  We’ll take the win.”

Forward A’ja Wilson led the team with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Kayla McBride and Lindsay Allen added 11.

“I am very proud of how we performed tonight,” said Wilson.  “I think that we really found our groove towards the end of the game and that is all that really matters.”

Guard Lindsay Allen re-joined the team after registering an “inconclusive positive result” from a COVID-19 test last week.   She tested negative twice since then and was able to re-enter the bubble.

With the win, the Aces improved to 2-2 heading into their next game on Wednesday against the defending WNBA champions, the Washington Mystics.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Aces held the Wings to just 36.8% from the field.
• Las Vegas out rebounded Dallas, 40-30.
• The Aces were just 3 for 14 from 3-point range.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsay Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough (Sports Radio Service)

By Shawn McCullough

Head coach Bill Laimbeer was not happy with the effort of his team.

A’ja Wilson and Angel McCoughtry combined for 35 points but lost to the Phoenix Mercury, 102-95, at the IMG Bubble in Bradenton, FL.

“The effort that we put forth was unacceptable,” said Laimbeer.  “They didn’t bring the intensity necessary in this league to win games.”

The Aces got down 23 points in the 2nd quarter and rallied back, but allowed the Mercury to shoot 57.6% from the field.

“My basketball teams will not play like that.  We will play as hard as we can every second that we are on the floor and if we had, we would have won this basketball game,” said Laimbeer.

Despite scoring 17 points in the game, Wilson was very hard on herself for her performance.

“I went 7 for 19, that is unacceptable for me,” said Wilson.  “I take full accountability of that.  I have to be there for my team, knock down my shots and I was just not focused.”

The Aces finished  in fourth in the WNBA standings last year and Laimbeer believes that they will probably finish around the same or lower this season.

“Are we going to be the top one or two teams in this league?  I don’t think so,” said Laimbeer.  “I see us fighting for a playoff spot, hopefully four, but maybe five, six, seven or eight.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 1-2 heading into their next game on Sunday against the Dallas Wings.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• The Aces shot 45.7% from the field and went 7 for 14 from 3-point range.
• Five Aces players scored in double figures (Wilson, McCoughtry, McBride, Rodgers and Hamby)
• Guard Lindsay Allen was held out of tonight’s game due to the third-year guard registering an “inconclusive positive result” from a COVID-19 test Thursday evening. She will be isolated off campus until testing negative twice before returning.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 3 Danielle Robinson
G – 21 Kayla McBride

Photo credit: Phelan M. Ebenhack (Associated Press)

By Shawn McCullough

A superstar is emerging in the WNBA.

Forward A’ja Wilson dropped 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Las Vegas Aces rolled over the Atlanta Dream, 100-70.

“She makes other players better,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer of Wilson.  “She is really coming into her own right now and she knows that this is her time to help lead this ball club.”

Wilson has scored over 20 points in her first two games of the season, scoring 22 points against Chicago on Sunday.

“I embrace it,” said Wilson on being the team leader.  “I don’t see it as pressure and I am taking it all in stride and having fun with it.”

Dearica Hamby came off the bench and scored 20 points, while Angel McCoughtry dropped 12 against her former team of 10 years.

“It was different,” said McCoughtry.  “It was a little weird after being on that team for so long, but I am where I belong with the Aces.”

With the win, the Aces improved to 1-1 heading into their next game on Friday against the 0-2 Phoenix Mercury.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

• After shooting 0-5 from 3 point range on Sunday against Chicago, the Aces went 6 for 9 from beyond the arc tonight.
• Las Vegas dominated on the boards, out-rebounding Atlanta 47-25.
• A’ja Wilson registered a double-double in back to back games.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 35 Angel McCoughtry
C – 4 Carolyn Swords
G – 15 Lindsey Allen
G – 21 Kayla McBride