Tag: WNBA

Aces In Search of Second Title – Handle Sky in the Opening Round 87-59

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates after blocking a Chicago Sky shot during the second half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoffs at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed Sep 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It all begins tonight as the Las Vegas Aces (34-6) take on the Chicago Sky (18-22) in the first game of their first round matchup. It has been a record setting year for the Aces being the first team to reach 30 games in a season finishing with a 34-6 record. The Aces took care of business in game 1 with a convincing 87-59 win to go up 1-0 in the best of three series on Wednesday night.

Las Vegas led the WNBA in offensive and defensive efficiency. They have an amazing starting roster with four players scoring 15 plus points per game. A’Ja Wilson leads the pack with 22.9, Kelsey Plum with 18.7, Jackie Young 17.6 and Chelsea Gray with 15.3.

That is about as solid a roster that you will find anywhere in the WNBA. They had eleven game with 100 plus points which is the most in WNBA history. This team has all the accolades but what they are aiming for right now is a second title.

Without that second title none of these really matter. This is just the start and there is a long road ahead of them but they are primed and ready for the challenge.

The Aces got a nice start and had built a 27-15 lead as the first quarter came to an end. The Sky got into some foul trouble in the opening quarter with Alanna Smith already committing three. Going into the second quarter, Chicago had missed their last eight shots.

Every time the Sky made the slightest of rallies, the Aces had the answer as they continued to extend their lead. Chicago could not keep up with the high-powered Aces and at the half Las Vegas had a 53-36 lead. The Aces had won the quarter 26-21 a much closer quarter than the opener.

Las Vegas kept the pressure on containing the Sky offensively and defensively continuing to extend their lead and after three quarters led 70-46. Wilson, Gray, Plum and Young all had double digits and Kiah Stokes who always contributes defensively had ten rebounds.

Las Vegas continued to dominate the paint. Kahleah Copper was the only Chicago player with double digits through three quarters.

With 7:46 left in the game Coach Becky Hammon began to bench starting players, A’Ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were the first to get a breather. At 5:44 left on the clock the Aces had built a 30 point lead 80-50. The Aces won the fourth quarter, in fact, they won all four quarters of this game. The final was 87-59 in favor of the defending champions.

Chicago would finish with only player, Kahleah Copper, in double digits. The Aces had four players in double digits and bench player Alysha Clark had a huge game with 13 points and four rebounds.

Chelsea Gray had the high points for Las Vegas with 20 points. Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and A’Ja Wilson all had a double digit game and Kiah Stokes had 14 rebounds. The Aces dominated this game from start to finish.

The two teams will get a few days off before going into game two of this series. That second game will again be played in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday 9/17 at 12:00 PM. A win in Sunday’s game will win the series for the Aces and entry into the second round of the playoffs.

Aces Nab Top Seed With Win Over Mercury 100-85

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Las Vegas Aces take the floor against the Phoenix Mercury at the ULTRA Michelob in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 10, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

By Barbara Mason

A’Ja Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces (34-6) to close out the season beating the Phoenix Mercury (9-31) 100-85 wrapping up the top-seed in this year’s playoffs.

Recap: The Las Vegas Aces knew going into this game that with the New York loss earlier in the day that they had the top seed going into the WNBA playoffs that get underway this Wednesday.

This was no longer a must win for the Aces but it was for sure a nice warm up going into the post-season. The Aces won the opening quarter 28-23. They extended their lead going into halftime winning the second quarter 25-18 and leading after two quarters 53-41. At the half Wilson had already scored 22 points and she was just getting started.

Las Vegas continued to grind away in the third winning the quarter 30-18 now leading 83-59. The Mercury played hard in the fourth quarter winning it 26-17. The Aces had built up a 24-point lead after three quarters and Phoenix was not able to make a dent in the final score which was 100-85.

A’Ja Wilson scored 36 points making a very real case for a repeat MVP this season. She also had 8 rebounds. Teammate Kelsey Plum also had a terrific game finishing with 30 points shooting six from beyond the arc.

Chelsea Gray had five 3s and 21 points along with eight assists. Las Vegas shot 53% hitting the century mark for the 11th time this season. This was a real momentum builder as they head into the post-season full of confidence.

The Aces will take on the Chicago Sky for game one Wed Sep 13 in the opening round of the best-of-three series of the 2023 WNBA playoffs. Tipoff for the first game of the series will be at 7:00 PM at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Handles Phoenix 94-73

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Las Vegas Aces Kelsey Plum (10) and guard Sydney Colson (51) exchanges hand shakes as they battle the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Fri Sep 8, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Vegas Las Aces (33-6) took on the Phoenix Mercury (9-30) and after a slow start crushed the Mercury 94-73. The Aces had led by as much as 30 points in the fourth quarter.

The Aces got a slow start which has plagued them throughout the season. After one quarter the game was tied 20-20. Las Vegas got things rolling in the second quarter squelching the Mercury 28-11, led at the half 48-31 and after playing a very close first quarter the Aces had this game well in hand.

The Mercury played a better third quarter but could not break the stranglehold Las Vegas had on this game and after three the Aces led 72-48. The Mercury won the fourth quarter 25-22. Phoenix did try to rally in the final quarter after trailing by thirty points but just did not have the fire power of Las Vegas only making a small dent in the Las Vegas lead.

A’Ja Wilson finished the game with another electric performance scoring 30 points with nine rebounds. Kelsey Plum had 18 points with Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray both scoring double digits. Both teams protected the ball well finishing with only ten turnovers apiece. The Aces shot at 54.3% from the field and the Mercury came in with 34.7% which was the difference in this game.

Aces post game notes: The WNBA 2023 season is rapidly winding down with two games left in the regular season. The Aces have dominated all season and now look forward to the playoffs. There was however, one team that took Las Vegas to task beating them in three out of four games in the month of August and that was the New York Liberty. The Liberty are nipping at the Aces heels with a 32-7 record, both teams vying for home court advantage.

The Aces will play their last game of the regular season on Sunday taking on the Mercury in front of their home crowd at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff in that final game is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Aces Back On Track Winning Two in a Row; Punishing Seattle Storm 103-77

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Read em and weep the Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson led with 30 points and 10 rebounds against the Seattle Storm at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Sep 2, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Las Vegas Aces (32-6) took care of business against the Seattle Storm (11-26) on their home floor, Michelob ULTRA Arena with a 103-77 victory.

After trailing in the first quarter, the Aces went on a 5 and 0 run to take a 10-5 lead at 6:03. As the opening quarter came to an end Las Vegas led 25-19. As the regular season winds down it is clearly evident how much all of these teams have improved, all of them a threat. The Storm had a great defensive effort keeping the Aces out of the paint making life miserable for A’Ja Wilson.

At 7:17 in the second quarter this game was all square at 27-27. The Storm had nothing to lose as they continued to challenge the defending champions. The Storm’s Jewell Loyd was the first player hitting double digits as the Aces fought to contain her.

At the half the Aces had a 49-43 lead. A’Ja Wilson finished the half with 21 points and eight rebounds and the Storm’s Jewell Loyd had 20 in this highly competitive game.

The Aces continued to maintain the lead but the Storm remained just within striking distance. Las Vegas led after three quarters 75-67.

The Aces began to really pour it on in the fourth quarter. At 6:33 Las Vegas had a 87-69 lead as they began to pull away from the Storm. With five minutes left in the game the Aces had their largest lead of the game 91-71.

Both Wilson and Loyd had double doubles but the strength in the Las Vegas starting lineup was more than the Storm could handle. The Aces held onto that twenty point lead for the remainder of the game in fact the final was 103-77 as they blew the Storm out of the building in the final quarter. Las Vegas won the fourth quarter 28-10.

A’Ja Wilson finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Jackie Young came in with 22 points. Las Vegas will now get six well-deserved days off as they prepare to finish up the regular season in Phoenix. The entire team is now in playoff mode going forward.

Aces post game notes: The Aces got back on track Thursday night beating the Washington Mystics ending a two game losing streak. With two games left in the regular season, the Aces need to prepare for the upcoming post season. It would appear right now that the road to a second championship runs through New York. It was great to see Candace Parker back on the bench lending her invaluable experience with her teammates.

Las Vegas will be back on the court next Friday taking on the Mercury in Phoenix in back to back games to end the 2023 regular season. It is always fun to watch the expertise of Brittney Griner as she leads Phoenix in this game. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces snap two game losing streak, beat Mystics, 84-75

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Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson (22) guards Mytics’ Elena Delle Donne (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay on Thursday, August 31, 2023. (Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces got back on the winning track with an 84-75 win over the Washington Mystics at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“We got tired of losing,” said forward A’ja Wilson. “It feels like we have lost 30 in a row.”

Wilson led the Aces with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

“My teammates just found me in spots,” said Wilson. “I was just going with the flow and my teammates helped me.”

Chelsea Gray scored 21 points, while guard Kelsey Plum registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

“She [Plum] has multiple ways to impact the game,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “She was just dicing people and had all the right reads tonight.”

The Aces recently have struggled, losing three of their last five games.

“Us going through this roller coaster of games and weathering the storm, helps us to get ready for playoffs,” said Wilson.

With the win, the Aces improved to 31-6 on the season heading into their next game at home on Saturday against the Seattle Storm.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 46.8% from the field.
Las Vegas went 10 for 28 from three-point range.
The Mystics out-rebounded the Aces, 37-33.

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:

Candace Parker, Out – Foot

Liberty dominate Aces, 94-85

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Sabrina Ionescu hits one of her 5 made 3-pointers against the Aces on Monday. (Michelle Farsi/Getty Images)


By Shawn McCullough

The Aces dropped their second straight game in a 94-85 loss to the Liberty in New York.

“Defense is a huge difference when the shots are not falling on the offensive end,” said forward A’ja Wilson. “In every loss, it seems to be one quarter that bites us.”

That quarter was the second quarter when the Liberty outscored the Aces, 25-16.

“I felt we made a lot of mistakes defensively in the second quarter,” said head coach Becky Hammon.

Las Vegas got 24 points from guard Jackie Young, while Wilson added 23 points and eight rebounds.

“We have been in a shooting slump for the last few games, but we have to rely more on our defense,” said Wilson.

The Aces and the Liberty are now tied, 2-2, in the regular season series, which has turned into a big rivalry this season.

“This is when you shine the brightest,” said Wilson on the rivalry. “For us to be part of a rivalry, we take that into perspective and we try to shine the brightest.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 30-6 on the season heading into their next game at home on Thursday against the Washington Mystics.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 44.9% from the field.
Las Vegas went 9 for 23 from three-point range.
The Liberty’s biggest lead in the game was 19 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 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.

A’Ja Wilson’s 50+ Points Dominates the Dream 112-100

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The Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson (22) outscores everyone defeating the Atlanta Dream in WNBA action at the Gateway Center at College Park GA (@LVAces photo)

A’Ja Wilson’s 50+ Points Dominates the Dream 112-100

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday evening the Las Vegas Aces (29-4) traveled to Atlanta to take on the Dream (16-17) and the Aces A’Ja Wilson led with an amazing 50 point to defeat the Dream 112-110.

Tuesday game wrap: It was a hard-fought battle in the opening quarter with the Dream winning the first quarter by the slimmest of margins 34-33.

The battle continued into halftime with the Aces this time leading by the slimmest of margins 56-55. A’Ja Wilson was having a terrific first half with 22 points as was Kelsey Plum with 14 points. Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young both had an unusually quiet first half.

The Aces turned this game around as they went into the third quarter. They won the third quarter 26-13 leading 82-68 going into the fourth quarter. Both Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young started hitting shots and the Aces had all the momentum going on in this game.

Las Vegas really poured it on in the fourth quarter. Wilson continued to completely dominate this game finishing with 53 points. It was simply another amazing game from Las Vegas. We have seen these second half dominations and they are not done with a few more games left in the season.

Las Vegas only had nine turnovers, so great ball protection. The two teams were close when it came to points from the floor; the Aces had 50.7% and the Dream came in with 49.3%. When you look at the stats these two teams seemed, by the numbers, to be pretty evenly matched. It was the play by A’Ja Wilson that put this game on ice.

Aces post game notes: They dropped their last game last Saturday losing to the Los Angeles Sparks 78-72 in a crazy low scoring game. The Dream continued their losing streak extending it to 14 straight games to the Aces. Las Vegas bounced back with a win. The Aces embarked on a four game road trip that begun in Atlanta Tuesday.

Thursday evening the Aces will meet the Chicago Sky, still playing on the road. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 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.