Tag: Washington Mystics

Aces Survive Scare Against Sky 94-87; 30 wins by Aces most in a season in WNBA history

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The Las Vegas Aces set a WNBA record for the most wins in a season with their win over the Chicago Sky on Thu Aug 24, 2023 in Chicago (@LVAces image)

By Barbara Mason

Thursday evening the Las Vegas Aces (30-4) traveled to Chicago taking on the Sky (13-21) and hung onto for a seven point win over Chicago 94-87. As this game got underway, the first half turned out to be more of a nightmare for the Aces.

The Sky had a great game plan holding Las Vegas to 37.8% from the field while the Sky were shooting a little over 54%. Chicago was aggressive coming away with 20 rebounds to the Aces 14. The Sky won the first quarter 24-17 as well as the second 26-20.

At the half, the Sky had a 50-37 lead. We have seen the Aces overcome deficits all season but the first half saw Las Vegas missing far too many shots. They definitely had a lackluster first half. Kelsey Plum had only made a number of free throws but nothing from the field.

A’Ja Wilson had 12 points at the half with both Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young with eight points. If Las Vegas was going to win this matchup, they had to pick up their offense. The Aces have shown over and over that they are a second half team and they need to pull out all the stops in this contest. The first half was all Chicago.

The Sky did not slow down one bit in the third quarter. Las Vegas had cut the Chicago lead to single digits in the early minutes but the Sky came roaring back to take a 56-42 lead. They were relentless. Las Vegas began to turn up their physicality once again cutting the Dream lead to single digits.

Kelsey Plum turned up the heat hitting 16 points with just under five minutes left in the quarter with the Aces eyeing the lead trailing 60-57. With 2:45 left in the quarter it was a tie game 62-62. The Aces rallied in this game to take the lead 67-65 after having trailed by 16 points.

Kelsey Plum had struggled in the first half but completely turned it around in the second half finishing with 18 points as the third quarter came to an end. The Aces had a slim lead going into the fourth quarter 70-68. They had won the third quarter 33-18.

With less than six minutes left in the game, the Aces had a 81-78 lead and it became evident that this game was going down to the wire. The Aces got a slight advantage in the fourth quarter taking a 86-80 lead with under four minutes left in the game.

With all the marbles on the table this was anybody’s game. The Aces played a brilliant final minute extending their lead 90-84 with 43 ticks on the clock. They had won 30 season games which was a WNBA record.

The Aces fought hard in the second half. They had no choice in the matter; the Dream came in with incredible energy and a great plan that had the Aces stymied in the first half. Jackie Young had the team high with 24 points with Kelsey Plum right behind her with 24. Both A’Ja Wilson and Jackie Young had 10 rebounds apiece. It was an amazing comeback.

Saturday evening Las Vegas will take on the Washington Mystics. The Aces have a huge bullseye on their backs. With so many teams vying for a spot in the playoffs they have all lifted their level of play to new heights. The Mystics will be no different. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Aces Push Past Mystics 113-89; A’ja blows it wide open with 40 points

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson led with 40 points in the Aces win over the Washington Mystics at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Fri Aug 11, 2023 (@WBBWorldWide photo)

Aces Push Past Mystics 113-89

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Aces took on the Washington Mystics (13-15) at Michelob ULTRA Arena and won their second game in a row 113-89 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Vegas. Las Vegas led after the first quarter 30-21. The Aces ran into a bit of trouble in the second quarter. In the final minutes the Mystics had pulled to within two points and the Las Vegas lead had all but disappeared.

The Aces capped off the quarter with a nice run leading at the half 57-48. With the season winding down, these teams know each other all to well and barring injury every game going forward will be a serious challenge.

The Aces A’Ja Wilson continued her domination. After scoring 28 points last Tuesday against the Wings, she had already shot for 24 points and seven rebounds at the half. With an entire half of basketball left in the game, she was just getting warmed up.

While the first half that the Aces saw from Wilson was, brilliant , they cannot say enough about the amazing teammates that surround her. They enable her to do what she does so well. It takes a tribe and we see this in every game that Las Vegas has played this season

The Mystics started the third quarter with a three and the Aces answered with a three of their own and the battle was on. The Aces saw amazing ball movement from both teams in a very physical third quarter. The Mystics tied up this game at 68 with under four minutes left in the quarter. The Aces forged back and led 88-74 to end the quarter.

The Aces polished off the Mystics in the fourth quarter winning the game. It you thought A’Ja Wilson had a great game last Tuesday against Dallas, she was just warming up. She finished this game with 40 points and 12 rebounds, a career high. Kelsey Plum had her first double double of the season with 19 points and 10 assists

Aces post game notes: It has been less than a week since the Las Vegas Aces (25-3) got blown off the court in New York 99-61 on Sun Aug 6. The Liberty contained them offensively and defensively. They kept them out of the paint while driving through their defense with an electric offensive display. Just the fact that Ace A’Ja Wilson came away with only nine points was a shocker.

Las Vegas knew how important the next game in Dallas would be not wanting to drop another game especially in this fashion. As expected the Aces found their form dominating the Wings in the first three quarters that sealed the win 104-84 on Tue Aug 8th. Las Vegas was back.

With only 11 games left in the regular season every game is critical with the top three teams battling for home court advantage. The Aces cannot afford another loss the likes of which they saw in New York.

Las Vegas will next take on the Atlanta Dream on Sunday with tipoff scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Aces fall to Washington 87-86; Vegas’ second straight loss

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Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) takes a shot that is rejected by Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne (11) at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas in first half action on Sat Jun 25, 2022 (AP News photo)  

Aces Fall to Washington 87-86

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Las Vegas Aces (13-4) took on the Washington Mystics (12-9) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas and the Aces came away with their second straight loss 87-86. It was the first time the Aces have lost multiple games this season.

The Aces are coming off a disappointing loss to Chicago 104-95 Tuesday night. The Sky came back from 28 points down, the largest comeback in WNBA history. Las Vegas does didn’t want to repeat anything even remotely close to that. They were looking to get back on the winning track.

Saturday night game recap: The Aces won the first quarter 22-20. The Mystics would prove to be a very real challenge. Las Vegas led at one time in the second quarter by seven points but the Mystics erased that lead and led at the half 46-40. Washington had won the second quarter 26-18.

Both teams battled through the third quarter as Washington continued to lead after three 63-60. The Aces won the third quarter 20-17 but still trailed in this game.

With four minutes left in the game Las Vegas trailed 75-72. The Aces were able to tie the game with 7.7 seconds left on the clock. Chelsea Gray tied the game when she hit from downtown. The game was tied at 83 at the buzzer and this game went into overtime. The Aces couldn’t hold on and lost by three points in favor of the Mystics. A tough loss for the Aces.

Las Vegas had opportunities but couldn’t take advantage of them in overtime. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young each had 20 points. A’ja Wilson had 14 rebounds and 17 points. The Aces had 16 steals yet they were unable to pull this game out. This is the second meeting for the Aces facing the Mystics and they had lost each time. The first time in Washington losing 89-76 on May 10th.

The Aces hope to bounce back Monday night when they take on the LA Sparks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM PT.

Aces Handle Mystics 93-83; Plum leads Vegas with 24

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Las Vegas Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer gives the thumbs up sign coaching against the Washington Mystics at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Tue Aug 17, 2021 (photo from the Las Vegas Review Journal)

Aces Handle the Mystics 93-83

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Las Vegas Aces took on the Washington Mystics a second time after winning an amazing game against them on Sunday The Aces had to fight and claw their way back into that game and so tonight’s game was expected to be another marathon.

The Aces won Sunday’s game by a single point 84-83. Las Vegas had a slow start in that game that put them completely behind the eight ball and set up a near loss for the team.

Tonight the Aces came out of the gate and had the lead after one quarter 23-21. Although the Mystics played Las Vegas tough in the quarter they could not get on top of them.

Washinton really turned things around in the second quarter. At the half the Mystics had taken the lead 49-41. The Mystics were taking charge in this game, at least in the first half. They would have to keep the pressure on in the second half of this game which had all the makings of another nail biter.

In the third quarter the Aces got back on top and going into the fourth quarter they had taken a slim lead 69-67. This game could not have been any more competitive between two seemingly equal opponents.

It was the fourth quarter that sealed the deal for the Las Vegas Aces. They outscored the Mystics 24-16 and cruised to a 93-83 win.

We saw a determined Las Vegas in this game. They refused to entertain another one point game. Four of the Aces starters shot in double digits. A’ja Wilson had 19 points, Liz Cambage shot 15 along with 13 from Chelsea Grey and 10 from Riquna Williams. The team got an amazing 24 points from Kelsey Plum off the bench.

The Aces now have a 17-6 record and sit at the top of the league with the Storm still to play tomorrow. Next up for the team will be the Connecticut Sun. Tipoff is schedule for Tuesday August 24 at 4:00 PM

Las Vegas pulls off a dramatic come from behind win against Washington 84-83

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Las Vegas Aces A’JA Wilson led the Aces with 20 points and a double double against the Washington Mystics on Sun Aug 15, 2021 at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas (image from @LVAces)

Las Vegas Pulls Off A Dramatic Come From Behind Win

By Barbara Mason

June 5th in review: The last time the Las Vegas Aces and the Washington Mystics met was on June 5th and the Aces narrowly won that game by the score of 96-93.

Right now the Aces have a record of 16-6 and the Mystics have a 8-11 record. After their last meeting the Las Vegas Aces were slightly favored to win this game.

Being favored doesn’t always translate into a win as Las Vegas was soon to find out.

Sun Aug 15th game recap: Sunday’s game was a shocker at least in the first quarter. The Mystics outscored the Aces 27-15 and while it did get better in the second quarter Las Vegas was playing at a steep deficit.

At the half the Aces trailed by the score of 50-35 in a first half drubbing. A’ja Wilson had only scored 7 points in the first half and there were no double digits to be had by Las Vegas. On the other hand the Mystics Tina Charles and Myisha Hines-Allen both had scored double digits. Charles had 16 points and Hines-Allen with 10.

The Aces had a lot of trouble getting going in the first quarter and even though they played fairly even in the second quarter they were clearly behind the eight ball in this game, struggling mightily. We have seen them in the past come from behind and win and they would need all onboard to come away with a win in this game.

As the third quarter wore on it became evident that the Aces were in deep trouble as the Mystics continued to pour it on showing now signs of relinquishing the lead. The Aces did outscore the Mystics in the quarter but only by a single point and they would a whole lot more in the fourth quarter to get by Washington.

As we have seen before, Las Vegas began to pour in on in the fourth quarter. There was just under five minutes left in the game and the feisty Aces had pulled to within six points 76-70.

With 4.6 seconds left on the clock Las Vegas took the lead 84-83. A failed shot by the Mystics Ariel Atkins gave the Aces the improbable win.

Las Vegas got a very slow start in this game but they were gangbusters at the end. A’ja Wilson finished with 20 points, Liz Cabbage had 17 and Jackie Young had 14. While it was an amazing comeback, the team does not want to fall behind in a game the way they did in this one anytime soon.

Next up for the Aces will be this Tuesday when they will again take on the Mystics. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Cambage scores 28 to help Aces stave off elimination 92-75

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photo from reviewjournal.com: Las Vegas Aces guard Kayla McBride (21) high fives Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) before the start of Vegas’ WNBA semifinals game with the Washington Mystics on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at Mandalay Bay Events Center, in Las Vegas

By Jeremy Kahn

Las Vegas Aces Head Coach Bill Laimbeer was furious after he did not get a crucial timeout in the waning seconds of Game One against the Washington Mystics, but his team stepped up when it counted most.

With their back against the wall, as the Aces trailed the Mystics two games to none in the best of five semifinal series, Liz Cambage was the leader on this night.

Cambage scored 28 points, as the Aces defeated the Mystics 92-75 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

”Our focus is win our home games,” said Cambage, who finished 12 of 15 from the field. ”It would have been nice to win one in Washington, but we know coming back here we’d have our fans to lift us up, we’d have our homecourt – we just had to get the job done tonight. It’s a playoff series, that’s the beauty of it, you learn on the run and all of the mistakes we made in the first couple of games, we really focused on fixing them and getting the job done tonight.”

The loss by the Mystics stopped a eight game winning streak, as they last lost on August 23 against the Chicago Sky.

AJa Wilson scored 21 points, and Kayla McBride chipped in with 18 and the Aces forced a game four on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

WNBA MVP Elena Della Donne led the Mystics with 22 points, Kristi Tolliver scored 14 and Aerial Powers dropped in 14.

‘I thought that they got into their post game better tonight, we didn’t do as good a job,” Washington coach Mike Thibault said. ”They put more pressure on us and we didn’t shoot the ball well. The same people that made a lot of shots the other night didn’t make shots today and that was the difference. This is the first really stinker of a game we’ve had in a long time.”

The Aces took the lead for good In the second quarter, as they trailed by two; however, after a 12-0 run over a four minute period, the Aces took a 10-point lead and never gave up the lead.

Playoff Schedule:
Game 1 Mystics 97, Aces 95
Game 2 Mystics 103, Aces 91
Game 3 Sunday, September 22 Ace 92 Mystics 75
 Game 4 Tuesday, September 24 Mystics at Aces
Game 5 Thursday, September 26 Aces at Mystics (if needed)

NOTES: Kelsey Plum was in the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the first two games of the series, and scored nine points and also dished off nine assists.

UP NEXT: The Aces and Mystics will meet on Tuesday night in Game Four at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Associated Press contributed to this report