Tag: Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas Aces commentary with Barbara Mason: Aces tested by Hammons suspension got a passing grade on opening night in Seattle

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Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) pushes through the defense of Seattle Storm guards Jordan Horston, left, and Jewell Loyd, right, during the first half at Mandalay Events Sports Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP News photo)

Aces Shine Dominating Storm In Season Opener 105-64

By Barbara Mason

This weekend the WNBA regular season got underway with a number of games already played on Friday night. Saturday the defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces (1-0) took the court against the Seattle Storm (0-1). The Aces have had a challenging off-season going back to early 2023.

There have been serious allegations that has certainly cast a dark cloud over the start of the season for this team. Head Coach Becky Hammon will miss the first two games due to a suspension handed down by the WNBA for violating workplace policies. There is still a lot more to all of this than meets the eye. In spite of the distractions of the Hammon suspension the Aces pulled off a opening night victory at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle 105-64.

This has most certainly been a distraction for the Aces as this is only one of many issues they were facing during the off- season. That being said, this opening game is an important one that will shed a lot of light on the entire situation and how this team will handle all of this going forward. There has to be one focus for the team right now and that is their quest for another title.

The opener against the Storm will give the Aces a lot of answers and they will have A’Ja Wilson, the reigning MVP in last years championships, and company divulging the queries that many have right now. With so much spotlight on all of this it’s time to flip the script and turn it in the direction of the game-it’s time to play ball.

As the first quarter came to an end the Aces held an 18-14 lead struggling from the floor but still able to maintain the lead for most of the quarter. Kelsey Plum who had shoulder surgery in the off-season had eight points in the quarter as did Jackie Young.

In the second quarter the Aces turned on the offensive firepower that is their trademark and less than two minutes into the quarter had a 25-14 lead with a lot of game still to be played. With less than two minutes left in the half, the Storm went to the line for the first time in the game.

The Aces distanced themselves from the Storm in the second quarter leading at the half 43-28. Las Vegas had outplayed the Storm at every vantage; rebounding, points in the paint and from the perimeter. The Aces chemistry played a huge part in the second quarter of this game and pushing the lead to 15 Las Vegas continued to extend their lead in the third quarter forging ahead to a 74-48 lead.

Seattle’s Jewell Loyd had her teams high with 15 but she was the only player with double digits after three quarters. The Aces already had four players in double digits and A’Ja Wilson was having an impressive defensive game with 13 rebounds.

The entire Aces starting lineup finished with double digits. In the fourth quarter the Storm had their first second chance basket just indicative of the Las Vegas defensive dominance. in this game. The final was 42 point blowout. The offensive chemistry and the defensive brilliance was just to hot to handle for Seattle.

The Aces had 50 rebounds to the Storm 32, almost 55% from the field and over 60% from beyond the arc. It was about as solid as you could get. A’Ja Wilson clocked her 55th double double, a franchise record. There remained little doubt regarding how the team would play in the absence of their coach Becky Hammond. It speaks volumes of the chemistry that this team has in place.

The Aces will head back in California to take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday evening. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces start season with blowout win over Seattle 105-64

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) blocks the shot of Seattle Storm guard Kia Nurse (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

By Shawn McCullough

The defending WNBA world champions had no problem rolling over the Storm in Seattle, 105-64.

Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum each led the Aces with 23 points, while A’ja Wilson added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

“It’s not easy,” said Wilson despite the blowout win. “We’ve got newcomers that have to get used to the system. We ourselves as the core are still trying to get to know and jell with everyone. I think it’s just going to come with time.”

The Aces were without head coach Becky Hammon, who is currently serving a two-game suspension from the WNBA for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.

Tyler Marsh was the acting head coach.

“I’m a coach’s kid, so I grew up in coaching,” Marsh said. “For my dad to be out here just to see me coach and for my wife and my son to be out here, that’s the sentimental part for me.”

Newly acquired center Candace Parker debuted with 12 points.

The Aces will next travel to Los Angeles on Thursday to face the Sparks.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 54.8% from the field.
Las Vegas went 11 for 18 from three-point range.
The Aces starting five scored 85 of the 105 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

Las Vegas Aces report: Becky Hammom Suspended 2 games Over WNBA Violations; Hammon to miss opener in Seattle Saturday

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Former Las Vegas Aces Dearica Hamby left, looking up and smiling and below seated on the right Aces head coach Becky Hammon who starts her suspension on opening night Sat May 20 when the Aces are scheduled to face the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle ( 2022 photo from TMZ file)

Becky Hammom Suspended Over WNBA Violations

By Barbara Mason

There have been a number of issues surrounding the Las Vegas Aces since February. The allegations that the defending champs had circumvented the WNBA’s salary cap making under the table payments to players. This violation, if proven, could lead to the stiffest discipline in the league since the New York Liberty was fined $500,000 in the 2021 season for chartering of unsanctioned flights to away games.

It doesn’t stop there; the Aces have also been under fire lately after former Ace Dearica Hamby posted some news on social media surrounding her trade to the Los Angeles Sparks. She claimed unprofessional and unethical treatment revolving around her pregnancy that she has claimed was traumatizing.

The WNBA has been investigating Hamby’s claim of being lied to, bullied, manipulated and discriminated due to her pregnancy. The Aces have been cooperating with the WNBA. It has been a tough road for the team because of the friendships that have evolved season in and season out.

Last season, the Aces won their first WNBA title under first-year coach Becky Hammon. This team looked to be ready and primed to repeat with their latest signing of Candace Parker and defender Alysha Clark. Both of these players took pay cuts looking to join this team and work towards numerous titles, in fact core players from last year took the same pay cuts.

Today the verdict came down on the comments made by Becky Hammon. The former Spurs assistant coach will miss two games without pay and will lose their first-round draft pick in 2025. It was decided that the team had violated the WNBA’s league and team respect in the Workplace policies.

While Hamby did not single out anyones name to the comments made, she did say that she was told that she was not taking precautions and that she was traded because it was stated that she would not be ready for the new season. The team also claimed that she was not taking her workouts seriously. They did tell her that it was best for her career that she move on from Las Vegas.

The league’s investigation was comprised of 33 people who were interviewed as well as texts, emails and other documents. So now the Aces are being disciplined for not upholding the values of integrity and fairness. The loss of their first-round draft pick in 2025 is the first time this has been done in league history. The Aces are not done; they are also facing other questionable conduct charges. We will have to wait to see if anything comes of these additional charges.

Defending Champion Aces Top Liberty 84-77 in Preseason Matchup

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@LVAces photo

Defending Champion Aces Top Liberty 84-77 in Preseason Matchup

By Barbara Mason

Just as the NBA enters the 2022-23 finals, the WNBA is just getting underway with their preseason. Saturday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (1-0) welcomed the New York Liberty (0-2) to Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas their first match-up of this pre-season.

The Aces as defending WNBA champions will be looking for a back-to-back title. This was their first title and they are looking for a repeat. They will be led by MVP Chelsea Gray, A’Ja Wilson, Candace Parker, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum; a lethal starting lineup.

The Aces won the first quarter leading 22-15. In the second quarter Las Vegas turned that seven point lead into a 20 point lead 50-30 at the half. Three of the Aces starters already had double digits. Kelsey Plum had the high score in the first half with 17 points. Gray and Wilson both had 13 points as well as each of them with six rebounds apiece.

After the nice lead that the Aces held over the Liberty at the half, New York challenged Las Vegas in the third quarter. The Aces edged the Liberty in the quarter 23-22 still leading 73-52.

The Liberty ramped it up in the fourth quarter cutting the Las Vegas lead in half with 5:21 left in the game. The Aces were holding onto a 76-66 lead. The Liberty got as close as eight points but the Aces extended their lead in the final three minutes of the game. The Liberty made a move in the final minute of play trailing 75-81 but just ran out of clock. The Aces made a final run winning the game 84-77.

Kelsey Plum had a terrific game finishing with 22 points, the team high. A’Ja Wilson had 17 points and seven rebounds. Kierstan Bell also had double digits off the bench with ten points. The Aces were ten of 25 from downtown.

Next up for the Aces will be on Saturday May 20th in a matchup with the Seattle Storm. That weekend will kick off the regular season. This will be a road game for the Aces with tipoff scheduled for 12:00 PM.

WNBA Report: Tom Brady becomes part owner of Las Vegas Aces

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The Las Vegas Aces introduced former NFL quarterback Tom Brady as part owner of the Aces Thu Mar 23, 2023 (image from @ LVAces)

By Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez

Thu Mar 23, 2023

LAS VEGAS–Former seven time Super Bowl quarterback Tom Brady announced Thursday that he is joining the WNBA’s Champion Las Vegas Aces as part owner. Brady said he’s a huge fan of women’s sports and has had a love for women’s sports at a young age since his older sisters took him to their games. Brady added that they were the best athletes in the house.

Brady tweeted the announcement by video and was very happy and excited about his newest venture since retiring after the 2022-23 NFL season. Brady said he was excited to be part of the Aces organization and hopes to contribute “as a member of the Aces organization is an incredible honor.”

Brady’s ownership stake as a minority partner joining Aces majority owner Mark Davis who is also owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. “Since I purchased the Aces our goal has been to win on and off the court. Tom Brady is a win not only for the Aces and the WNBA but women’s professional sports as a whole.”

Shawn McCullough and Rich Perez cover the Las Vegas Aces for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders have lost four of their last six games

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Davante Adams (17) of the Las Vegas Raiders scores one of his two touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half in Jacksonville on Sun Nov 6, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) lost their fourth out of their last six games and their most recent loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) by a touchdown 27-20 in Jacksonville.

#2 The Jaguars down 17-0 to the Raiders came back with a strong second half with a 17-0 second half. The Raiders in the second half were shutout in the third and fourth quarters.

#3 Davante Adams started out the game with two touchdowns and 146 yards through the first two quarters while the Jaguars Tyson Campbell had difficulty covering Adams.

#4 For the Raiders second half scoring was non existent and the Jaguars Travis Etienne ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns which was all the scoring the Jags needed to get by the Raiders.

#5 The Raiders try again coming this Sunday as they return to Allegiant Stadium this Sun Nov 13th to host the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have lost four of their last six games. The Colts lost to the Patriots on today 26-3 how do you see this match up for this coming Sunday?

Join Rich for the Raiders podcast after each Raiders home and away games at http://www.,sportsradioservice.com

Aces Win First Ever Championship Beating the Sun 78-71

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Holding up the WNBA Finals Championship Trophy loud and proud is the Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson (in sunglasses). As the Aces defeat the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut in game 4 on Sun Sep 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

Aces Win First Ever Championship Beating the Sun 78-71

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (3-1) took the championship series against the Connecticut Sun (1-3) going in game four Sunday afternoon at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut 78-71 on Sunday. To review the Aces won game one barely squeaking past the Sun 67-64. They went onto win game two 85-71 to take a 2-0 series lead. The Sun came roaring back in game three and trounced the Aces 105-76.

Game four turned into a very close game much like the first game of this series. Vegas had a four point lead after the first quarter and at the half led by two points 30-28.

After three quarters the Aces led by four points 53-49. The Sun were unable to stifle the Las Vegas offense as they did in game three. The Aces were able to hold onto the lead in fact extend their lead in the fourth quarter. The final was 78-71 and the Las Vegas Aces had won their first WNBA Championship.

The Aces held off several rallies by the Sun. Both of these teams were looking for a first time championship trophy but it was Las Vegas that prevailed.

Between the coaching excellence of Becky Hammond and the starting line-up of super stars, that made all the difference. While the Aces tore through offensive records this season it was the defense that Hammond set her sites on.

She wanted to see some improvement and that’s what we all saw. Vast improvement on the defensive side of the ball for the Aces was one of the turning points in this game. Defense is the strength of the Connecticut Sun in fact it was what got the Sun past the Sky in the playoffs but they couldn’t handle the offensive excellence of Las Vegas.

The starting line-up for the Aces was excellent in this game. A’Ja Wilson finished with 14 rebounds and 11 points. The high score for Las Vegas was Chelsea Gray with 20 points. Kelsey Plum came away with 15 and Jackie Young with 13. Off the bench Riquna Williams had 17 points in 22 minutes in a brilliant performance. Both Plum and Williams made key shots in the final minute of the game to put the Sun away.

Sun Deny Las Vegas A Win In Game Three 105-76

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Sun Deny Las Vegas A Win In Game Three 105-76

Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas reacts during the first half in Game 3 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn.

By Barbara Mason

After a close game Sunday followed by domination in game two on Tuesday the Las Vegas Aces lead the Connecticut Sun 2-0 in the WNBA finals. Thursday night they were looking to take game three and win their first ever WNBA title it was not to be as the Sun upended the Aces 105-76 in Connecticut.

Mid-way through the first quarter the Aces seemed to have the game in control. With five minutes left in the first quarter, the Sun went to work. By the end of the quarter Connecticut had a 34-19 lead. The Sun had gone on a 25-4 run and this turned out to be the highest scoring quarter in NBA playoff history.

The Sun went into the second quarter with the same energy and at the half they led 53-42. Connecticut had led by as much as 23 at one point in the quarter. Kelsey Plum launched a 41-foot three point shot at the buzzer making this game much more manageable for Las Vegas.

The Sun were shooting at a blistering 60% in the first half. They had been shooting an average of 68 points per game so 53 after two quarters was an amazing stat for Connecticut. The Sun defense was disturbing the Aces timing. They had been suffocating Las Vegas taking the paint away from them.

The Aces had a lot of work to do but finished the half on a great note cutting a 23 point deficit to 11 at the half. Las Vegas needed some second half adjustments. The Aces would need a lot of energy to catch the Sun in this game.

Another question would be the ability of the Sun to continue the same defensive pressure that they had in the first half. That question was answered as the second half got underway. The Sun continued to control the game in the third quarter maintaining their double digit lead throughout most of it. As the quarter expired the Aces trailed by eight points 77-69. Las Vegas had made up some ground and it would come down to the final quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Sun. Every time the Aces challenged, Connecticut had the answer and refused to back down. The final was 105-76 in favor of Connecticut.

The high score for the Aces was Jackie Young with 22 points. Every starter for the Sun shot in double digits with the high coming from Jonquel Jones with 20 points followed by Dewanna Bonner with 18. The aggressive offense and defense was just too hot tonight for Las Vegas to handle.

Game four will be played in Connecticut on Sunday with tipoff at 1:00 PM televised on ESPN. Las Vegas will try and turn the table on the Suns defense and an offense that was equally impressive in game three.

Aces one win from WNBA championship, beat Sun, 85-71

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) in front of Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones (35) during a WNBA game on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo Credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces took a commanding two games to zero lead in the best of five WNBA Finals with an 85-71 win over the Connecticut Sun at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“I don’t see any banners, I don’t see any balloons,” said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “We haven’t won anything yet.”

WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson led all scoring with 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Aces.

“We aren’t’ done yet and we have things to take care of,” said Wilson on going up 2-0 in the series.

Wilson has averaged 25 points per game so far in the WNBA Finals.

“She is so explosive right now,” said Sun head coach Curt Miller. “It has been really impressive.”

Guard Courtney Williams led the Sun with 18 points, while center Jonquel Jones added 16 and pulled down 11 rebounds.

Aces Chelsea Gray scored 21 points, while Kelsey Plum added 20.

“Chelsea Gray is one of the smartest basketball players,” said Hammon. “Her IQ is ridiculous.”

Gray also dished out eight assists.

“What sets me apart is my willingness to be great,” said Gray. “I want to make others better.”

The Aces and the Sun will play game three of the best of five series on Thursday in Connecticut.

“We have another opportunity,” said Jones. “We are going home in front of our fans.”

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 51.6% from the field.
Las Vegas went just 6 for 26 from three-point range.
The Aces got just 11 points off the bench.

Game Starters:

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

Aces Injury Report:

None.

Raiders fall short in last ditch 4th quarter effort 24-19 to Chargers in Inglewood

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Devante Adams (left) goes airborne after making a catch and is caught up with Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Adams Jr (26) in the second half. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

After tying the game in the first quarter 3-3 the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers battled throughout the contest on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. It had been nine years since Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Devante Adams had played together since college.

Carr hit Adams for an 11 yard pass on the opening drive of the game. It turned out that Adams would be Carr’s favorite target all afternoon throwing to Adams for five completions. Despite Carr and Adams hooking up the Raiders defense couldn’t hold the line in the second quarter as the Chargers scored 14 points.

“We did some good things,” Carr said. “There’s also some things that him and I, we were just talking about in the locker room, the way I see it, the way he sees it, and we’re trying to make that better. So yeah, we had production, but I think that we can be better, and so does he.”

It was a great afternoon for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had who went 26-34 threw for three touchdowns for 279 yards throwing to wide receivers DeAndre Carter and Gerald Everett.

The Raiders have their work cut out for them as they return to Las Vegas on Sun Sep 18th at Allegiant Stadium to host the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray. The Cardinals have more a will to win after they got beat 44-21 by quarterback Pat Mahomes and the Kansas Chiefs in Glendale. Murray went 22-34, 193 yards and two touchdowns and was relieved by back up quarterback Trace McSorley after the game became lopsided.

Rich Perez is a Raiders beat writer and does the Raiders podcasts Wednesdays and Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com