Tag: New York Liberty

Aces Fall to Washington Mystics 78-62

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US Vice President Kamala Harris is presented with a Las Vegas Aces jersey from the Aces A’ja Wilson at the White House on Fri Aug 25, 2023 to celebrate last season’s Aces WNBA championship victory. Harris who gets the number 49 for being the US’s 49th vice president. The Aces played against the Washington Mystics the next night Sat Aug 26, 2023 in DC (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (30-5) are heading into the final stretch of the regular season. They are fresh off a visit to the White House yesterday welcomed by Vice-President Kamala Harris. She led a celebration for the 2022 WNBA champions.

She was full of praise for not only the grit and determination that they showcased on the court but also the ferocious advocacy in support of colleague Brittney Griner during her detention in Russia. It was a memorable and emotional day for the team. Saturday it was back to business as the team took on the Washington Mystics (16-18) and took their fifth loss of the season losing to the Mystics 78-62.

Two minutes into the game, the Aces were finally able to get up on the board but had some ground to make up trailing 13-2 at 5:54. It was another slow start for Las Vegas. These slow starts have become uncomfortable lately, and with the playoffs just around the corner they will want to clean that up.

They want to ensure a number one seed when they do go into the playoffs. As the first quarter came to an end, the Aces had fought off the slow start. After having trailed by as much as eleven points, they now trailed by a deuce 19-17. The Mystics had applied pressure to the Aces on the interior and it was working.

At 7:18 the Aces hit the first basket of the second quarter to tie up the game at 19. They did go on a 6-0 run in the quarter but it was not at all the quality basketball that we typically see from this team.

They did lead at halftime 30-27 and had held the Mystics to an 8 point quarter but they had 13 turnovers in the half which was doing them no favors. It was not a great half for Las Vegas. The Mystics continued to control the paint and between the turnovers and missed shots, it was not a great first half for the Aces.

Neither team had players that came away from the first two quarters with double digits. It was just a slow game with inconsistent shooting from both teams. It was an interesting first half with the Aces only shooting at 33% to the Mystics 25%.

Las Vegas was at 18.8% from beyond the arc while the Mystics were 0 of 13. It was just a slow as molasses kind of game. The second half would show if the Aces could continue the second half success that they had shown all season.

The Mystics continued with the game plan that had brought so much success in the first half. After three quarters Washington held a slim lead 52-48. The Mystics had held the highest scoring team in the WNBA to under 50 points after three. Washington won the third quarter 25-18. The Aces had a single quarter to turn this game around.

At 7:38 the Mystics had a 57-50 lead and never looked back. With under five minutes left in the game, Las Vegas trailed by a significant number 63-52. The Aces couldn’t buy a bucket in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

With three minutes left in the game, Las Vegas was in trouble trailing 66-54. The final was 78-62 in favor of Washington who had everything to play for sitting in eighth place in the standings.

This was the second lowest scoring game of the season for the Aces. They had dropped a game earlier in the season to the Liberty 99-61. They are looking very vulnerable right now which is concerning. They finished with 13 turnovers and they were outscored from the field and from beyond the arc. The Mystics had a great game plan and executed it flawlessly.

Monday night Las Vegas will take on the New York Liberty as they continue to play on the road. This will not be an easy task for the team and they certainly have a lot to clean up. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Aces Drop a Tough One To Los Angeles 78-72

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The final score says it all as the Las Vegas Aces drop their fourth loss of the year to the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (@LVAces image)

Aces Drop a Tough One To Los Angeles 78-72

By Barbara Mason

Saturday the Las Vegas Aces (28-4) took on the Los Angeles Sparks (13-18) at Michelob ULTRA Arena and dropped their fourth loss of the season to the Los Angeles Sparks 78-72, the Aces who rarely loose have lost three of their last seven games. They had a slow start while the Sparks came out with a lot of energy. Los Angeles won the first quarter 24-15.

Las Vegas came around in the second quarter winning it 21-18 but trailed going into the half 42-36. They had made up a little ground and they typically crank things up in third and fourth quarters. We have seen them close out up many games this season in the second half.

The Sparks put up some nice early offense in the third quarter and with under six minutes left in the quarter had taken a 50-40 lead. The Aces had some work to do.

Los Angeles kept the heat on in the fourth quarter. Their offense was crushing it and their defense was giving the Aces all kinds of trouble. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the game, the Sparks had taken a 72-65 lead and showed no signs of letting down.

They have improved significantly since the start of the season and they also have been thriving in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas was forcing turnovers but they were having trouble turning some of them into points.

It’s in these tight games that the team is really missing Candace Parker who is out indefinitely after having surgery for a fracture in her left foot. There were less than two minutes left on the clock and the Aces trailed 72-70. With 30 seconds left in the game, the Aces fouled, the Sparks scored, took a 74-70 lead, and it was all but done for Las Vegas. This was their first season loss at home.

Las Vegas was only shooting at 35% from the field and 25% on three’s. They struggled from the get-go while the Sparks came out strong from the start of the game. Los Angeles was shooting almost 53% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. They outplayed the Aces throughout most of the game. Los Angeles is fighting for a playoff spot so they have a lot to play for going forward.

This was a very low scoring game for Las Vegas who typically scores in the neighborhood of the mid-nineties. This is not the time of year that you want to fall off offensively. A’Ja Wilson had a great game despite the loss with 25 points and nine rebounds which was the high score for the Aces. Layshia Clarendon had the high for the Sparks with 22 points.

Aces post game notes: After finally figuring out the Liberty, the Las Vegas Aces (28-4) were looking to finishing off the season on a high note. There are eight games left in the regular season and they will meet New York one more time in late August. The Aces have clinched a playoff spot as has New York. It seems right now that Las Vegas has met their match in the Liberty.

Las Vegas will have a few days off before heading to Atlanta to play the Dream this coming Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Chelsea Gray’s Triple Double Spurs Aces On to Win Over Liberty 88-75

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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) defends against the Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Thu Aug 17, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Chelsea Gray’s Triple Double Spurs Aces On to Win Over Liberty 88-75

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (27-3) had a huge game tonight at MIchelob ULTRA Center with a 88-75 win over the New York Liberty. They were desperate to crack the code that has held them hostage in the past two meetings with the New York Liberty (24-6). New York has been able to successfully box in A’Ja Wilson and so far the Aces have been unable to counter. The Liberty seem to be the only obstacle standing between the Aces and a second championship. They were able to break through in this game.

While the Aces did beat New York back in June on the 29th, the Liberty have had it their way ever since. They stunned the Aces on August 6 99-61 and most recently on August 15 a second loss 82-63. In both of those losses A’Ja Wilson was only able to hit nine points. It was something that the Aces have not seen this entire season.

It did not start off well for Las Vegas falling behind 8-0 in the early minutes. It was not until the final two minutes of the opening quarter that the Aces had their first lead of the game 21-19. Las Vegas pushed back and had a 25-21 lead after the first quarter of play. Wilson was still looking for her first points of the game.

At 6:37 in the second quarter Wilson made her first shot of the game, a free throw. Despite rushing shots at times, the Aces did take a 53- 40 lead at the half. A’Ja Wilson already had 11 points to her credit and Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelseas Gray also had double digits for the half.

The Aces led for the entire third quarter but the Liberty had cut into the Aces lead. They went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter with the Aces still leading 68-64.

Both teams fought hard throughout the fourth quarter but the Aces had finally broken through for the win.

Chelseas Gray had the franchises first triple double, with 22 points and 11 rebounds. A’Ja Wilson had turned things around finishing with 21 points and four boards and the Aces were back on track now with a 28-3 record. The team had their 21st home win in a row.

Saturday night the Aces will take on the Los Angeles Sparks in Las Vegas. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM. This game will be televised on ABC TV.

Liberty Continues Las Vegas Domination 82-63

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Image from Las Vegas Aces Twitter

Liberty Continues Las Vegas Domination 82-63

By Barbara Mason

Nine days ago the New York Liberty (24-6) put the hurt on the Las Vegas Aces (27-3) 99-61. Tonight the Aces played the Liberty in Las Vegas in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup and dropped another game to New York by 19 points at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas 82-63 on Tuesday night. The Aces loose their second straight game to the Liberty after the beating they took at the hands of New York on Sun Aug 6th.

Tuesday game recap: Neither team scored in the opening 3 1/2 minutes. It was a low scoring quarter for both teams. The Liberty led by as much as 9 points and after the first quarter New York had a 17-11 lead.

The Liberty had a great game plan in their last meeting and the question would be, can they repeat. They did keep the highest scoring team in the WNBA to a mere 11 points in the opening quarter of this game.

The Aces had an 11-0 run to end the second quarter. In their last meeting Las Vegas trailed the Liberty 49-44 at the half. The halftime score in this game was in favor of the Aces 34-32. They won the second quarter 23-15 turning the tables on New York. We knew this was a rivalry and it would be a dog fight to the end.

The Liberty won the third quarter 24-14 and the Aces were in trouble falling further and further behind. They trailed after three quarters 56-48.

With each possession in the fourth quarter, Las Vegas continued to struggle and the Liberty had taken a 72-57 lead with under five minutes left in the game. With three minutes left in the game, A’Ja Wilson had not scored a single point in the final quarter. Once again, New York came into the evening with a great game plan especially in the second half putting this game away.

The Liberty put the stops on A’Ja Wilson who only scored nine points in the game. The Aces only shot 33% from the floor and 19% from beyond the arc. The Liberty had 49 rebounds to the Aces 28. Las Vegas will have some work to do figuring out New York going forward. With the season winding down the Aces have some serious work to do.

Thursday night the Aces will face the Liberty again in Las Vegas looking to figure out New York. In the past two games against New York, it was the Liberty that controlled the flow of the game The Aces will really need to win this next game Thursday night not only for their season record but for the all- important mental aspect of the game.

Aces Dismiss Liberty 98-81

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New York Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) shoots against the Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker (3) and guard Chelsea Gray, right, during first half action at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Thu Jun 29, 2023 in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

Aces Dismiss Liberty 98-81

By Barbara Mason

Thursday evening the Las Vegas Aces (14-1) welcomed the New York Liberty (10-4) in a battle of two powerhouses. This was another game played on the Aces home court at ULTA Michelob Arena. They have been home for the last three games and have two more games at home before heading out on the road. It has been a great home-stand for the team. They added another win their 14th game with a 98-81 victory on Thursday.

The Aces took the first quarter leading 28-22 with Kelsey Plum leading the charge. Las Vegas took their largest lead of the game in the second quarter 37-28 at 5:54. At halftime, the Aces continued to hold the lead but the Liberty had made up some ground after trailing by as much as thirteen points. New York had cut the Aces lead to 49-42.

The Aces were having great success from beyond the arc shooting at 50% as well as 60% from the field. Plum finished the half with 15 points. The Liberty kept chipping away at the Las Vegas lead with Breanna Stewart orchestrating the rally.

As the Aces have seen all season, Las Vegas is a second half team putting games away in the third and fourth quarters. The third quarter of this game was no exception. Las Vegas took a 20 point lead after three, 76-56. Every starting player for Las Vegas had double digits with Plum the high with 16 points.

With 8:22 left in the fourth quarter the Aces had taken a 25 point lead. A desperate team takes desperate shots and such was the case for the Liberty. New York could not get those shots to drop. With 2:28 left on the clock, the starters for Las Vegas sat while their bench took this game home.

The bottom line is that the Aces excel on every level and the Liberty could not keep up with them. They were simply outplayed by Las Vegas. The Liberty are a very good team with a very good record but few teams can handle the Aces if any. Las Vegas has been beating teams by an average of 20 points per game.

Saturday afternoon the Aces will meet the only team that has beaten them this season, the Connecticut Sun. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM and promises to be a battle from start to finish.

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.

Aces lose second straight 116-107; Las Vegas drops fifth in last seven games

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The New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu had a triple double setting a WNBA record against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas in WNBA action on Wed Jul 6, 2022 (USA Today photo)

Aces Lose Second Straight 116-107

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Las Vegas Aces (15-7) took on the New York Liberty (9-12). It has been a real roller coaster ride for the Western Conference leaders. They lead the conference by one game, the Storm on their heels. They need to get back to basics and play the kind of basketball that they are capable of as they dropped their second straight game 116-107.

The first quarter was a close one with the Liberty leading 32-30 after ten minutes. The Aces got things rolling winning the second quarter 33-23 and led at the half 63-55.

It was an amazing second half for the Liberty. They won both the third and fourth quarter. While the Liberty won the third quarter 28-21, the Aces were still in this game leading by a single point 84-83.

The fourth quarter was all New York winning it 33-23 and the game handing the Aces their second loss in a row.

The Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu came away with a triple-double. She had 31 points in the highest scoring triple-double in WNBA history. She also had 13 rebounds and ten assists in a stellar game. She hit seven of eight from downtown in a near perfect performance.

The Aces A’JA Wilson had 29 points and nine rebounds. Jackie Young `finished with 24 points. They came up just short in this game. With this loss, the Aces had lost five of their last seven games.

Las Vegas has already secured their place in the 2022 Commissioners Cup game against the Chicago Sky in late July but they missed a chance Wednesday to play in Las Vegas. So no home floor advantage.