Tag: Aces

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces fell to the New York Liberty in the Commissioners Cup on Tuesday, but Las Vegas made a statement about who is still the best team in the WNBA.

Two days later, Las Vegas came out with a solid defensive game in an 88-75 win over the Liberty at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“Excellent job defensively,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “To hold them to 11 points in the fourth quarter is an exception job defensively.”

Chelsea Gray led the Aces with a triple-double: 22 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds.

“I have great targets around me all the time and we were able to knock down shots,” said Gray.

“You feel really good when Chelsea Gray is on your team,” said Hammon. “She is one of the most competitive people I know.”

A’ja Wilson added 21 points and eight rebounds, while Kelsey Plum also scored 18.

“She [Wilson] missed some layouts in the first, but we just wanted to get her more touches in the fourth,” said Hammon. “She just continues to play the right way.”

The Liberty had beaten the Aces the last two games, including the Commissioners Cup on Tuesday.

“They [Aces] responded in a big way,” said Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. “But you expect that from them after two straight losses.”

“This game, we did what we should have done in the past two games,” said Wilson.

The Aces extended their home winning streak to 21 games.

With the win, the Aces improved to 27-3 on the season heading into their next game at home on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 44.4% from the field.
Las Vegas out-rebounded the Liberty, 35-28.
The Liberty turned the ball over 15 times.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Candace Parker, Out – Foot

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces won their 20^th straight home game with an 86-65 victory over the Atlanta Dream at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“It was a grind it out game for us,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “It wasn’t pretty, but no game is easy in the WNBA.”

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 21 points, while also pulling down nine rebounds.

“We were really playing out of our defense,” said Wilson. “We fuel on that.” 

Jackie Young added 17 points, while Cayla George came off the bench and scored 11.

“When people talk about us, they don’t understand that our role players are there to help us,” said Wilson.

The Aces will next play for the Commissioners Cup on Tuesday against the New York Liberty at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“It will be a good matchup overall,” said Wilson. “It will be fun, it brings the best out of everybody.”

“We are going to have to execute our game plan,” said Hammon. “We will have a better lock-in factor.”

With the win, the Aces improved to 26-3 on the season.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 41.6% from the field.
Las Vegas went seven for 23 from three-point range.
The Dream turned the ball over 16 times.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Alysha Clark, Out – Back
Candace Parker, Out – Foot

By Shawn McCullough

After just their third loss of the season on Sunday, the Aces rebounded with a blowout win over the Wings in Dallas, 104-84.

“The focus and energy was there in a bounce back game for us,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “Not surprised at the way that they came out tonight.  They came out and took care of business.”

A’ja Wilson dominated with 28 points and 14 rebounds, her 71^st career double-double.

“She was just really, really focused on both ends,” said Hammon.

Guard Kelsey Plum scored 20 points including four three pointers, while Jackie Young added 18.

“Just getting defensive stops and getting easy buckets in transition,” said Young about the win.

“This is one of the smartest teams and they work hard,” said Hammons about the Aces.

With the win, the Aces improved to 25-3 on the season heading into their next game at home on Friday against the Washington Mystics.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 50.0% from the field.
Las Vegas went 10 for 32 from three-point range.
The Aces never trailed in the game and their biggest lead in the game was 41 points.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Not with team
Candace Parker, Foot

By Shawn McCullough

The Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu scored 31 points, including six three pointers, to lead New York to a 99-61 blowout of the Aces at Barclays Center.

“That’s a good ole fashioned ass whooping”, said head coach Becky Hammon.

The Aces trailed by just five points at halftime, but the Liberty outscored Las Vegas 50-17 in the second half.

“They jumped on us pretty good in the second half,” said Hammon. “It was very disappointing.”

Jackie Young led the Aces with 16 points, while Chelsea Gray added 15.

“They dictated it from the jump,” said Gray. “We were trying to play catch up the whole game.”

Forward A’ja Wilson struggled, going just two for 14 from the field.

“For me to be two for 14, I hope that never happens again,” said Wilson.

The Aces were dominated on the boards by the Liberty, 48-24.

“Our rebounding needs to be better,” said Gray. “Guards need to help on the boards too.”

The loss is just the Aces’ third of the season, dropping them to 24-3 on the season heading into their next game in Dallas on Tuesday against the Wings.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 32.9% from the field.
Las Vegas went just six for 23 from three-point range.
Kelsey Plum was just four for 16 from the field.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Not with team
Candace Parker, Foot

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces fought off a 15-0 run early in the fourth quarter to beat the Dallas Wings, 104-91, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“Tough game,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “It was a tough, physical game and down the stretch we got stops when we needed.”

Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 28 points, including four three-pointers, while Chelsea Gray added 27 and eight assists.

“We needed to get stop and execute on the offensive end,” said Gray of the fourth quarter.

The Aces were out-sized by the Wings, being out-rebounded 41-30.

“They [the Wings] are huge, they hurt us on the glass,” said Hammon.  “They got a legit big four.”

A’ja Wilson scored 22 points while also blocking six Wings shots.

“Just trying to be the anchor of the defense,” said Wilson. “I want to be consistent for my teammates and be there to alter shots.”

With the win, the Aces improved to a WNBA best 23-2 on the season heading into their next game at home on Tuesday against the Atlanta Dream.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 50.0% from the field.
Las Vegas went 13 for 25 from three-point range.
The Aces never trailed in the game.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back
Candace Parker, Not with team

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces continue their dominance over the WNBA with a 107-95 win over the Sky in Chicago.

Guard Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 27 points, hitting 10 of 20 shots from the field.

WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week A’ja Wilson dropped 24 points, pulled down four rebounds and blocked four shots.

The Aces got 22 points from guard Chelsea Gray, who also dished out nine assists, while center Kiah Stokes pulled down 17 rebounds.

Aces forward/center Candace Parker had successful foot surgery to repair a fractured bone and will be out indefinitely.

With the win, the Aces improved to 22-2 on the season heading into their next game at home on Sunday against the Dallas Wings.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 50.0% from the field.
Las Vegas went seven for 22 from three-point range.
The Aces scored over 100 points for the fifth time this season.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back
Candace Parker, Out, Foot Surgery

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces got a big game from forward A’ja Wilson in a 79-63 win over the Storm in Seattle.

“We are locked in,” said Wilson. “I love my teammates and I love the feeling in that locker room.”

Wilson registered her 14th double-double of the season, scoring 23 points and pulling down 15 rebounds.

“Rusty game for us shooting-wise, but we buckled down and our defense won us the game,” said head coach Becky Hammon.

Jackie Young contributed with 22 points, while Kelsey Plum added 20.

“I was just trying to get to the paint,” said Plum.

The Aces will most likely be without star center Candace Parker for a long time after suffering an ankle injury before the All-Star Break.

“We miss Candace pushing the ball up the court and her communication and IQ, but we have to step up,” said Wilson.

With the win, the Aces improved to 20-2 on the season heading into their next game in Minnesota on Saturday against the Lynx.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 43.9% from the field.
Las Vegas went seven for 18 from three-point range.
The Aces out-rebounded the Storm, 40-33.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back
Candace Parker, Out, Ankle

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces rolled into the All-Star Break with a commanding 97-78 win over the Sparks in Los Angeles.

“Good way to go into the Break,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “We came out really good in the first half and imposed our will on both ends of the court.”

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 25 points and 12 rebounds, with 23 coming in the first half.

“Our mindset and mental approach every game is locked in,” said Wilson. “We come with so much juice.”

Kelsey Plum scored 21 points including two three-pointers, while guard Chelsea Gray added 16.

With the win, the Aces improved to 19-2 on the season heading into the All-Star Break.

“If we were 2-19, I would say that we are the best team in the league,” said Wilson. “We don’t worry about the record and just compete at a high level.”

The 2023 WNBA All-Star Game will be held in Las Vegas, being the third time since 2019 that the All-Star Game will be held in Sin City.

“It’s a big part of growing the game,” Wilson said about the All-Star Game being in Las Vegas. “Vegas puts the game in the spotlight.”

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 54.4% from the field.
Las Vegas went nine for 22 from three-point range.
The Sparks won the rebounding battle, 36-34.

Game Starters:

C – 3 Candace Parker
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back

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

By Shawn McCullough

Down ten points at halftime, the Aces outscored the Sparks, 58-39 in the second half to beat Los Angeles, 94-85, at Crypto.com Arena.

“Great overall effort in the second half,” said acting head coach Natalie Nakase. “Just fighting back in the second half from an ugly start to get that win.”

Jackie Young led the Aces with 30 points, 17 coming in the second half.

“That’s Jackie,” said A’ja Wilson. “She is one of the bests two-way guards in the league.”

Wilson recorded a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.

“I knew that I had to crash the boards and those are the possessions that we need,” said Wilson.

Guard Chelsea Gray added 16 points and eight assists.

With the win, the Aces improved to 2-0 on the season and will head home on Saturday for their home opener against the Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Head coach Becky Hammon will return from a two-game suspension on Saturday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 52.5% from the field.
Las Vegas went 10 for 23 from three-point range.
The Aces starting five scored 84 of the 94 total points.

Game Starters:

C – 3 Candace Parker
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back