Tag: Dallas Wings

Aces Head Into WNBA Finals With Win Over the Wings 64-61

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Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally, left, and Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young scramble for the ball during the first half at College Park Center in Arlington on Fri Sep 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Las Vegas Aces (34-6) took on the Dallas Wings (22-18) looking to finish up this semi-final series and head into yet another WNBA Finals. The Aces have had a relatively easy path so far in these playoffs.

The Wings came out with a game plan which forced the Aces into turnovers and took A’Ja Wilson completely out of the game. Dallas forced the Aces into some very uncharacteristic play. Dallas’ rebounds through three quarters were (36) to the Aces 28.

It was all a part of the plan. Forcing the turnovers was also working for the Wings. Las Vegas had lost the ball 17 times with 6:31 left in the game. The Aces got back on track in the final minutes to take this one home in a real nail-biter 64-61.

Dallas led after the first quarter by a slim margin of 18-16. At the half, the Wings led by 36-31. The Wings were starting to put the hurt on Las Vegas. They had contained A’Ja Wilson. At the half she was shooting single digits as was the rest of the team. It was the slowest of starts for Las Vegas running into a determined Dallas team.

The Aces won the third quarter 18-15 and this game was going down to the wire. The Wings held onto a 51-49 lead after three quarters in this low scoring game.

A’Ja Wilson finally reached the double digit mark in the fourth quarter as did teammates Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum. Wilson continued to struggle having committed eight turnovers herself and only managing 13 points with 2:28 left in the game.

The score was tied 61-61 as the clock approached two minutes. This game was going down to the wire. With 31.8 left on the clock the Aces had a one-point lead 62-61. They had a great opportunity to extend their lead but Chelsea Gray threw the ball out of bounds.

The last possession would win this game. A jump ball ended up in the hands of the Wings with 9.0 left on the clock. Dallas missed the final shot and in the process fouled Jackie Young who made both free throws. With 2.7 seconds left on the clock Las Vegas led 64-61. The Aces had mounted an 11-0 run to take the game and the series. Las Vegas had earned a trip to the finals 64-61.

This game was a dogfight. The Aces struggled from start to finish but pulled it all together at 4:59 in the fourth quarter. Dallas did not score a single point in the final (4:59) minutes. The Wings had forced 20 Las Vegas turnovers.

Dallas had a great game plan and executed it on point until the final minutes of the game. The 64 points scored in this game were the fewest in Aces franchise history. You have to give a lot of credit to the Dallas Wings. They played hard and very nearly pulled off the upset in game three.

The Aces had four players in double digits. A’Ja Wilson had a double double with 13 rebounds and 13 points but it was Chelsea Gray who had the high with 15 points. Both Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young each had 11 points.

This was not even close to what we are accustomed to seeing from this Las Vegas team and as A’Ja Wilson said that is just the way things go sometimes. This certainly is something that they want to get out their system before they head into the finals on Sunday October 8th. The winner between the Liberty and the Sun may be determined this coming Sunday with New York leading the series 2-1.

Aces one win away from second straight WNBA Finals, beat Wings, 91-84

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Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson (22) with Wings Natasha Howard (7) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. (Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces improved to 4-0 in the WNBA Playoffs with a 91-84 win over the Dallas Wings at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“We played a great game and it was a good win,” said A’ja Wilson.

Wilson recorded a double-double, scoring 30 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

“She [Wilson] has been exceptional,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “She got better in the offseason.  She is just special.”

“She [Wilson] has a lot of things in her bag,” said Wings head coach Latricia Trammell. “We have to keep her off the free throw line.”

Guard Chelsea Gray scored 23 points and dished out eight assists, while Kelsey Plum nailed four three-pointers.

“I try to be the calm within the storm,” said Gray. “It’s calling the right plays and calming everyone down.”

The Aces lead the best of five series against Dallas, 2-0, and need just one more win to advance to the WNBA Finals for the second straight season.

“It’s playoff basketball,” said Wilson. “A lot of people wish they were where we are today.”

The Aces will next travel to Dallas for game four of the series on Friday.

“It is extremely hard to close out a team, especially on their home court,” said Hammon. “We still have a lot more work to do and I expect it to be an all-out war in Dallas.”

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 46.2% from the field.
Las Vegas was out-rebounded by the Wings, 40-39.
The Aces starters scored 88 of the total 91 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:

Candace Parker, Out – Foot

Aces Beat Wings In Impresssive Opening Semi-Final Round 97-83

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) passes to guard Jackie Young (0) defending the Dallas Wings forward Natasha Howard (6) and guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) in first half action of the WNBA semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

A’Ja Wilson and company took it to the Dallas Wings in the opening round of the semi-finals. Wilson finished with 34 points and eight rebounds in the 97-83 win in game 1. Kelsey Plum had a terrific game with 25 points and five rebounds.

Sunday afternoon the defending champion Las Vegas Aces (1-0) continued on their path to a back-to-back title. The Dallas Wings (0-1) stand between them and a trip to the finals. The Wings are the only team to defeat not only the Aces but also the Liberty and Connecticut in the regular season. They are a dangerous team.

In the previous game in this semi-final round, the New York Liberty were upset by the Connecticut Sun 78-63. In this game the Wings faced not only the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the year in A’Ja Wilson but also Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum. It was a daunting task for Dallas.

Game 1 recap: The Aces did not have the greatest rhythm to start the game and with 2:03 left in the first quarter gave up the lead. Las Vegas had led by as much as six points but turnovers led to a 17-16 Dallas lead. As the quarter came to an end the Aces had taken back the lead by the slimmest of margins 20-19. Both teams were turning over the ball way too much which did not bode well for either of them. Wilson finished the quarter with ten points.

As this game wore on it became evident that this would be no easy task for Las Vegas despite the Wings season record. They would have to be on their A-game against this red hot team. Kelsey Plum had a slow start but got it going in the second quarter. In 2 1/2 minutes time she scored ten points going on a “Plum Run”.

The Aces held on winning the second quarter 29-26 taking a 49-45 halftime lead into the locker room. If the first half was any indication, the Aces would have to take it up a notch in the second half. This infamously second half team would have to live up to that. The Wings were proving to be a very tough opponent through the first two quarters.

As the third quarter got underway we saw an Ace team that was living up to their reputation taking a ten point lead mid-way through the quarter. Las Vegas smothered the Wings in the quarter winning it 26-12 taking a 75-57 lead.

After being down by 20 points, the Wings pulled to within 11 points but Las Vegas ran it back up to a 17 point lead with 6:52 left in the game. The Aces were on a mission and they were playing like it leading 83-66.

Las Vegas had four starters in double digits with A’Ja Wilson leading the way with 32 points. Las Vegas finished off this game in Ace style 97-83. They had ten shots from beyond the arc and four starters in double digits. Besides Wilson and Plum, Jackie Young finished with 19 points and ten rebounds. Chelsea Young had 13 points .

Game two of this semi-final round will be played on Tuesday in Las Vegas at Michelob ULTRA Arena with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces Win First Round of Playoffs Eliminating Chicago Sky 92-70

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A’ja Wilson (22) forward of the Las Vegas Aces snuffs a shot attempt by the Chicago Sky’s center Elizabeth Williams (right) during first half action in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces took control from the opening quarter and never let down winning with dominating play over the Chicago Sky. Chicago did rally in the fourth quarter pulling to within nine points but Las Vegas surged and finished off this game 92-70 on Sunday in game 2.

Aces game recap: The Las Vegas Aces (34-6) took on the Chicago Sky (18-22) Sunday afternoon at Michelob ULTRA Arena in game two of the first round of this year’s playoffs. The Aces won the first game of the series last Wednesday night 87-69.

Las Vegas wasted no time getting off to a nice start winning the opening quarter 23-14. They would continue to pile on the points as this game wore on. They won the second quarter 21-15 and led at the half 44-29 leading by 15 points. They would have to play at the same pace in the second half where they have been known to dominate this season.

Las Vegas kept pushing in the third quarter winning the quarter 25-16 and leading after three 69-45. They seemed to have this game in total control. The Sky had other plans however making a move in the fourth quarter cutting a 28 point lead down to 11 points with 6:41 left in the game.

The Sky were making an incredible charge and the Aces needed to pull out all the stops to slow Chicago down. When this game got too close for comfort Las Vegas tightened it’s reins pushing their lead to 20 points 82-62 with under five minutes left on the clock.

With 3:32 left in the game A’Ja Wilson took a shot in the right eye and had to take the bench. Wilson appeared to be ok but would not take the court for the rest of the game. With 2:27 left in the game Las Vegas had a 90-66 lead and with 38 points and 16 rebounds Wilson had another double-double. The bench players got a chance to finish off this game.

This was an outstanding game for the Aces winning the first three quarters. The Sky did win the fourth quarter 25-23 but this was far too little too late. A’Ja Wilson outdid herself finishing with another double-double and thankfully, her eye injury was not serious and she was no worse for wear.

Wilson’s supporting cast had a fairly quiet game. Jackie Young finished with 15 points and Kelsey Plum had 10 points. Young, Plum and Chelsea Gray will all have to step up as Las Vegas goes into the semi-final round of the playoffs.

While they did not have a banner game, many of the points the Aces did score came at critical junctures to finish off this win. What was also critically important was the defensive effort from the Aces forcing 18 Sky turnovers.

The energy that the Aces came into this game with was contagious as they rolled through most of this game. When the Sky rallied the Aces shut it down in record time to move into the next round of the playoffs.

Las Vegas now waits to see who they will play in the semi-final round. They will play the winner of the Dallas Wings vs Atlanta Dream series. Dallas leads that series 1-0. If that series is tied Game 3 will be played next Friday. This coming week the Aces will find out who their semi-final opponent will be with that first game being played next Sunday at 2:00 PM in Las Vegas.

Aces Steamroll Lynx 113-89; 10th win in 11 games for Vegas

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Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces is ready for that top scoring cigar after doing most of the heavy lifting against the Minnesota Lynx leading with 40 points in Minnesota on Sun Jul 9, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Steamroll Lynx 113-89

By Barbara Mason

Sunday night the Las Vegas Aces (17-2) steamrolled the Minnesota Lynx (9-10) with ball protection front and foremost in their mind and came away with a 113-89 win. The Aces were favored in this game but they were against the Dallas Wings as well and lost that game Friday night by two points. This season the Aces have beaten their opponent by an average of 20 points but that did not even come close to happening in their last game with Dallas.

It was a remarkable turnaround from the Aces last game winning every quarter in this game.

After the first ten minutes of play, the Aces had built a 28-19 lead and they did not let their foot off the pedal for the entire game. They won the second quarter 26-23 and had a half time lead of 54-42.

They went on to win the third quarter 26-19, the fourth quarter 33-28 and the game. They only had 12 turnovers in the game much improved from the 18 they had in their last game. Kelsey Plum had a career high 40 points which propelled Las Vegas to their 17th win of the season. She had an amazing 14 of 18 shooting. She was also six of nine from beyond the arc. This was their third win this season over the Lynx.

This win clinched a Western Conference berth in the Commissioner’s Cup. Right now the Aces are averaging 92 points a game which is a point behind the WNBA record. Las Vegas really righted the ship after their second loss of the season last Friday.

Besides the 40 points from Plum, Jackie Young had 17 points and was five of nine from downtown. Las Vegas made 17 shots from beyond the arc. A’Ja Wilson also had another double digit game with 15 points and ten rebounds.

Game notes: Friday night the Las Vegas Aces dropped their second game of the season in Dallas against the Wings in the final minute of the game 80-78. The Aces with 18 turnovers in the game did them no favors.

Tuesday night the Aces will take on Brittany Griner and the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Wings hand Aces second loss of season 80-78

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Las Vegas Aces forward Aja Wilson (22) finished with 18 points against the Dallas Wings in Dallas it wasn’t enough as the Aces fell by two points in their second loss of the season (@LVAces photo)

By Barbara Mason

After beating the Dallas Wings (9-9) Wednesday evening in Las Vegas, On Friday night the Aces (16-2) dropped their second game of the season to Dallas 80-78 in Dallas. Las Vegas tried to extend their amazing season winning record against the Wings which was a real challenge and they met their match on Friday night.

The Wings let Wednesday’s game go in the fourth quarter and got out played by the Aces and what went wrong for the Wings in that final quarter. On Friday the Wings turned it around.

Friday night recap: The Wings came out fast in the first quarter. After a quick timeout, the Aces took the lead getting on track and led 25-23 after trailing by as much as seven.

Dallas was shelling out as much as Las Vegas could handle. This game had the makings of a real fight to the final seconds. Las Vegas is a second half team and have been for most of the season so they could change the course of this game in a heartbeat.

The Aces continued to hang unto a slim lead going into half time 40-39. A’Ja Wilson was the only Ace starter with double digits after two quarters with 14 points. The Wings also had a single starter with double digits. Teaira McGowan finished the first half with ten points.

After three quarters the Aces continued to lead 66-60 but Dallas came roaring back time after time in the game.

It all came down to the fourth quarter. The turnovers were killing Las Vegas with 18. In the paint both teams were shooting around 45% but it was the rebounding that got the Wings on the verge of handing the Aces their second loss of the season.

There would be no second half comeback for Las Vegas and the Wings got their ninth win of the season beating the Aces 80-78 in this high octane game that went down to the wire. With the score tied at 78, the Wings took a couple of free throws and that was the game.

Every starter on both teams finished in double digits. A’Ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum both had 21 points in this game. For the Wings it was Arike Ogunbowale with the high.

Sunday the Aces will try to get back on the winning track taking on the Lynx in Minnesota for a 4:00pm PT tip. They will need to clean up the turnovers in this next matchup.

Aces rally late, fall short to Wings, 82-80

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Photo Credit: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces erased a 14-point deficit in the 4th quarter, but fell short to the Wings, 82-80, in Dallas.

“Hard fought game,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “I thought we were digging out of a hole most of the game, but we were there at the end.”

Down two points with 3.8 seconds left, guard Chelsea Gray inbounded the ball on a set play to spring center A’ja Wilson, but Wilson missed the layup to send the game to overtime.

“It happens,” said Gray. “It’s going to hurt, but we should have never been in that position in the first place.”

“A’ja was the first option, it was a catch and shoot play,” said Hammon.

Wings center Teaira McCowan led Dallas with 21 points and 16 rebounds.

“That’s a team [Dallas] that is playing for its playoff life and they are playing well right now,” said Hammon.

Gray led the Aces with 28 points, hitting five three-point shots, while forward Jackie Young added 19.

“My teammates were getting me the ball and I was just knocking them down,” said Gray.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 22-10 on the season.

The Aces will play the last game of a five-game road trip on Sunday against the Storm in Seattle.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 44.9% from the field and hit 10 shots from three-point range.
Las Vegas was out-rebounded by the Wings, 37-32.
The Aces got just two points off the bench.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

None

Aces make it three straight beating Wings 92-84; Vegas’ tenth win in last 11 games

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Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) (below) takes aim at the free throw line and (top) forward A’ja Wilson (22) takes a jump shot against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center in WNBA action on Wed Jun 15, 2022 (Image from the Las Vegas Aces Twitter account)

Aces Make It Three Straight Beating Wings 92-84

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday afternoon the Western Conference leading Las Vegas Aces (12-2) took on the Dallas Wings (6-8) at College Park Center.

The Aces had a slow start trailing by as much as ten points in the first quarter. After 12 minutes Las Vegas trailed by the score of 23-14.

The second quarter ended up a tie 21-21 and at the half the Wings led 44-35. Las Vegas had some ground to make up in the second half.

The Aces tuned on the heat in the third quarter and turned the tables on the Wings winning the quarter 31-16 in a blowout. They scored 31 third quarter points to lead 66-60 after three.

The Wings continue to hang in this game but came up short. The Aces won the fourth quarter 26-24 and the game 92.84.

Teams have been able to challenge Las Vegas but have been unable to finish games largely in part to the play of A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. The Las Vegas starting roster is a great one. Plum and Wilson combined for 52 points to put this one away.

In addition to Plum’s 27 and Wilson’s 25, they had some great offense from Chelsea Gray and Dearica Hamby both with 16 points. Jackie Young finished with eight points. Hamby led the team in rebounds with 12 for some solid defensive play. This is the Aces third win in a row.

Next up for the Aces will be a game with the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM.