Tag: WNBA

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.

Aces Challenged By Fever; Las Vegas Winning in Final Minutes 88-80

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Las Vegas Aces Center Aja Wilson (22) is thrilled as the Aces pick up their 13th win of the season against the Indiana Fever at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Mon Jun 26, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Challenged By Fever; Las Vegas Winning in Final Minutes 88-80

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Las Vegas Aces (13-1) met the Indiana Fever (5-9) for a second consecutive game. The Aces battled with the Fever and came away with the win 88-80.

The Aces got a slow start in the first quarter and after the first ten minutes of play trailed 20-23. The second quarter was a war of wills with the Aces winning it by the score of 28-26. At the half, Las Vegas trailed by a single point 49-48. This was not the start that Head Coach Becky Hammon had envisioned. As the Aces have seen in past games, the Aces had put games away in the second half.

Las Vegas got going in the third quarter winning it 21-15 and leading 69-64. The Aces would have the fourth quarter to extend their lead and finish this game. Kelsey Plum had a slow start in the first half but got going in the third quarter.

Las Vegas has been challenged all season in the first half of games. They seem to thrive under pressure and this pressure brings out the best in this team. The Aces had to pull out all the stops in this game. With under three minutes left in the fourth quarter Las Vegas was clinging to a one- point lead 77-76 as the two teams battled this one out in the final minutes.

They have seen some great fourth quarter finishes all season and this game was no exception. The Aces mounted a final push in the final 60 seconds of the game extending their lead to 88-80, which was the final, for their 13th win of the season.

Chelsea Gray had the game high with 25 points. Candace Parker had 12 rebounds and A’Ja Wilson had 24 points and ten rebounds for another double double. Kelsey Plum finished with 17 after a very slow first half. The Aces were pushed to the brink and had to battle back continually throughout this game.

Game notes: Las Vegas won their last game against the Fever 101-88 played last Saturday and tonight these two teams met again in a back-to-back.

The Aces had a back-to-back in early June against the Connecticut Sun splitting the games handing the Aces their first loss of the season. Tonight another back-to-back for Las Vegas.

Las Vegas will be back on the court for another home game at ULTRA Michelob Arena on Thursday night taking on the New York Liberty. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces Push Season Record to 12-1 With Win Over Fever 101-88

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The Las Vegas Aces center Candace Parker (3) on defense against the Indiana Fever’s center Aliyah Boston (7) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Jun 24, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Push Season Record to 12-1 With Win Over Fever 101-88

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Las Vegas Aces (12-1) took on the Indiana Fever (5-8) at Michelob ULTRA Arena and extended an already amazing season record with a 101-88 win over the Fever.

Las Vegas took a 27-20 lead in the first quarter after a bit of a slow start. They had a seven point lead after the first quarter and won the second quarter by seven points 30-23. At the half they had control of this game leading 57-43.

The Fever made some nice adjustments in the third quarter and were able to match the Aces with both teams scoring 21 points in the quarter. Matching Las Vegas was not to going to help their cause because of the 14 point deficit at the half. After three quarters the Aces continued to lead 78-64.

With five minutes left in the game, the Fever made a bit of a move but Las Vegas always answered. The Fever have challenged the Aces this season and this game was no exception. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the game, the Fever was trailing by 11 points 93-82.

When these two teams meet it is always a battle. With two minutes left it was an eleven point game and the outcome was still not a given. The Aces stubbornly hung onto a 13 point lead and with 1:16 left in the game, the Aces would extend their season record to 12-1.

Every starter for the Aces had a double digit game. The high for the Fever was Nalyssa Smith with 26 points but they were just unable to handle Las Vegas.

A’Ja Wilson had yet another double-double with ten rebounds and 28 points. Kelsey Plum was right on her heels with 26 points. Jackie Young had a bit of a slow night but as we have seen time and time again, when one player has a bit of an off game, the rest of the team is there to pick them up. That is the depth of the Las Vegas Aces.

There will be no rest for the Fever. These two teams will meet again on Monday night in Las Vegas. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces Continue Rampage Across WNBA Dominating Mercury 99-79; Win is their 4th in a row

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A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces takes some practice shots before the game against the Phoenix Mercury at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wed Jun 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

Aces Continue Rampage Across WNBA Dominating Mercury 99-79

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (11-1) traveled to Phoenix to take on the Mercury (2-9). Las Vegas extended their winning streak to five in a row with a 99-79 win over the Mercury. The Mercury played without standout Brittney Griner who remains sidelined with a hip injury.

The Aces got a solid start in the first quarter and got an early lead which they built on for the entire quarter. With less than a minute left in the quarter, the Aces went on a 10-0 run and led after the first ten minutes of the game 32-19.

The Mercury continued to hang in the game losing the second quarter 25-21. They were close in this quarter but it was the slow start in the opening quarter that hurt them.

The Aces led at the half 57-40. At halftime Las Vegas already had three players in double digits. Jackie Young had the high score for the Aces with 16 points. A’Ja Wilson had ten points and eight rebounds with Kelsey Plum rounding out the top three players in the first half with ten points.

The Mercury were far more aggressive in the second quarter and the Aces would have to get on top of that in the third quarter. The Aces were dominating in points in the paint in this game. This team is solid on so many levels.

They are number one in blocks, steals, rebounds and field goal percentage with 57% shooting an average of 91 points per game. The Aces continued to extend their lead as the third quarter came to an end. They had their highest lead of the game after three quarters 87-60.

The Mercury were faced with a monster challenge going into the fourth quarter. Phoenix made a small run but it was not enough to erase the 29 point lead that the Aces had in the game.

The high for the Mercury was Sug Sutton with 21 points. The Aces had three players with 20+ points. Jackie Young had the high with 23. A’Ja Wilson had another double double with 12 rebounds and twenty points.

Saturday evening Las Vegas will welcome the Indiana Fever to Michelob ULTA Arena. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Aces Steam-Roll Storm 96-63

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The Las Vegas Aces bench celebrate another victory at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas against the Seattle Storm in WNBA action on Thu Jun 15, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Steam-Roll Storm 96-63

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Las Vegas Aces (8-1) took on the Seattle Storm (2-6) at Michelob ULTRA Arena and steam rolled over the Storm 96-63. The Aces have one loss on the season to the Connecticut Sun last Thursday night but came roaring back with a win on Sunday over the Chicago Sky (93-80).

Thursday night Aces recap: Mid-way through the first quarter of this game, the Storm were holding their own against the daunting starting roster of Las Vegas. With 5:39 left in the opening quarter Las Vegas held a slim lead 9-8. Turnovers were hurting the Aces with 5 in the first five minutes of play. This was not the way Las Vegas wanted to start the game.

The Storm was putting up some nice defense that was keeping them in the game forcing a lot of those Ace turnovers. After the first ten minutes the game was tied at 17. Las Vegas had to clean up the turnovers going into the second quarter. They finished the first quarter with seven.

The Aces only average 13 turnovers per game and they already had eight in the early minutes of the second quarter. Las Vegas went on a 5-0 run with 4:35 left in the half; really needing to balance the points lost by those lost possessions.

At the half Las Vegas had put the brakes on the turnovers with none since 7:57 in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the half, it was the Storm that were struggling with turnovers. The Aces had their largest lead of the game at the half 47-37.

Jackie Young steamrolled her way though the third quarter giving the Aces a 67-52 lead. Las Vegas took control of the quarter committing only one turnover, shooting at 50% from the field, and A’ja Wilson had her 16th double double. It was all Aces in the third quarter.

The Storm put up a good fight in the first half but just couldn’t sustain the effort they had to start the game. The Aces ran away with the game in the second half crushing Seattle in the fourth quarter winning it 29-11.

Jackie Young had the high for the game with 28 points and A’Ja Wilson finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench, Kierstan Bell had an outstanding game with 12 points. The Las Vegas bench had a cumulative 20 points to Seattle’s one point. The Aces really cleaned up the turnovers with only four in the second half.

The Aces will take the court again this Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Aces Get Back On Track Taking Down the Chicago Sky 93-80

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The Las Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell (1) takes the ball down the floor against the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Jun 11, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Get Back On Track Taking Down the Chicago Sky 93-80

By Barbara Mason

After a rather disappointing loss to the Connecticut Sun last Thursday in convincing style 94-77, the Las Vegas Aces (8-1) got back on track Sunday with a 13 point win over the Chicago Sky (5-5) 93-80 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Last Thursday, the Aces were unable to contain DeWanner Bonner who had the game of her life, a career-high 41 points and there was just no stopping her. The Las Vegas starters just looked out of sync for the entire game and were never able to turn things around.

Sunday the Aces got a terrific start in the first quarter outscoring the Sky 24-15. They kept their foot on the pedal winning the second quarter 32-24 and leading at the half 56-39. They looked like a different team than Thursday; in sync and in control of the game. The Aces average 91 points per game, leading the league, and they sure looked like offensive leaders in the first half of this game.

They carried the momentum into the second half and won the third quarter 24-21. They still led 80-60 after three quarters but as the fourth quarter got underway Chicago tried to make a push. The Sky won the final quarter 20-13 but it was too little to make up the deficit they were facing.

The Aces starters all finished in double digits with A’Ja Wilson shooting for 21 points and 10 rebounds. This was her sixth double -double of the season. Kiah Stokes had a nice game off the bench with six points and five rebounds and has been contributing regularly.

The starting roster of Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Wilson were all back to the kind of basketball that we regularly see from them. They looked like repeat champions once again in this game.

Las Vegas will get some time off before taking on the Seattle Storm at home next Thursday. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM and can be seen on Prime Video.

Aces snap seven game win streak to Sun 94-77

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The Connecticut Aces Dewanna Bonner (24) takes a shot against the Las Vegas Aces at Mehegan Sun Arena in Montville CT on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (@espnW image)

Aces Drop First Game of the Season to Connecticut 94-77

By Barbara Mason

Thursday and the Las Vegas Aces (7-1) faced the Connecticut Sun (7-2) for a second game of this two game series. The Sun came out in this game the way that the Aces came out in their game Tuesday. They jumped all over Las Vegas and after the first quarter Connecticut had a 26-15 lead.

At the half the Sun extended their lead winning the second quarter 17-13. The half time score was 43-28 in favor of the Sun. Connecticut had incredible energy to start the game and they did not let down and ended the Aces seven game win streak 94-77.

Last Tuesday the Aces barely got past the Sun in a re-match of last years championship game. The Sun had an incredible second half after trailing 48-31 at halftime. The Aces had to pull out all the stops to get past Connecticut 90-84.

Thursday game wrap up: DeWanna Bonner was having an incredible game and the Aces had no answer. Bonner had 29 points going into the fourth quarter. The Sun kept their foot on the pedal leading after three quarters 64-52. The Aces were turning the ball over the likes that the Aces have not seen from this team with 18.

As the fourth quarter got underway it became obvious that there would be no stopping Bonner who finished with 41 points the 36 year-old’s career high. Las Vegas was playing from behind for the entire game. The Sun outplayed the Aces in the paint and most importantly on the defensive side of the ball. At times the Aces were struggling to keep up with the Sun who dominated.

The Sun brought the heat in this game and the Aces were lukewarm at best. This loss was their first this season; their season record is 7-1. After Connecticut’s loss last Tuesday it was a given that they would come into this game with a new resolve, and the Aces saw that from the start of the game and they never let down once.

This loss was a bit of a shocker. It was without a doubt the worst performance of the season for Las Vegas. The Aces lost in rough fashion by 17 points.

Sunday the Aces will be back on the court taking on the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Las Vegas will be looking to get back to business, back to what they do so well and that is winning. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Aces stay undefeated hang on to beat Sun 90-84

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The Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and the Connecticut Sun guard Tyasha Harris (52) take a photo before their game at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Montville on Tue Jun 6, 2023 (photo by @ LVAces)

Aces Hang On To Beat Sun 90-84

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Las Vegas Aces (7-0) took on the Connecticut Sun (6-2) in a re-match of last season’s championship game. This was the most anticipated game of the season and the Aces who took a perfect record into the game came away with a 90-84 win staying undefeated.

On Sunday the Aces very nearly lost to the Fever trailing for most of the game and in fact did not take the lead until the final minutes of the game avoiding the loss 84-80.

Las Vegas knew full well that there was a target on their backs and every team is out to take down the champions. The Aces had a strong defense against the Sun and they took advantage of their speedy offense. This game no doubt was the biggest challenge they had faced this season and the Aces lived up to it.

Tuesday game recap: The Aces got on top of the Sun in the opening quarter taking a 25-14 lead. The Sun had 6 turnovers in the quarter and had trouble containing the Las Vegas offense. The Aces shot 53% from the field in the first quarter, getting a far improved start over Sunday’s game against the Fever. The Aces had 13 fast break points to the Suns 0 in the quarter.

Las Vegas extended their lead in the opening minute of the second quarter leading 28-14. The Aces led in the half from start to finish and had a 48-31 lead at halftime. The Suns had 12 turnovers and also had trouble containing the Aces’ offense.

Las Vegas was shooting at 50% from the field and would have to keep the pressure on in the second half. Jackie Young shot for 11 points in the half and both Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray had ten points.

The Suns came into the third quarter with great energy on both ends of the court cutting into the Aces lead to 53-41. As the quarter came to an end Las Vegas led 70-53 finishing the quarter with the energy that they were lacking to start. The Sun had one quarter left to make any sort of run.

Connecticut made a run in the fourth quarter with Rebecca Allen shooting 22 off the bench. The 19 point lead that Las Vegas had in the quarter had been cut to three points 76-73 with 3:50 left in the game. The Sun had taken control of this game.

With less than two minutes left in this game the Aces were facing yet another challenge. Again it was Jackie Young to the rescue pushing the Las Vegas lead to 86-79. Young has come to the rescue over and over in the fourth quarter of these tight games. Las Vegas pulled it together in the final minutes of the game winning it. It was another tight game that the Aces had to fight hard to win.

Las Vegas is now undefeated with a 7-0 record. A’Ja Wilson finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and Jackie Young had 22. It was another gutsy performance by the defending champs hanging on for the win.

Connecticut Bench player Rebecca Allen had a career high 22 points and was 6 of 7 from beyond the arc. She single handedly gave her team an amazing chance to pull this game out. The Sun got very close, playing a terrific fourth quarter, but just fell short.

The Aces have not seen the last of the Sun taking them on again this Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Aces Mightily Challenged By Fever But Prevail 84-80; Las Vegas on six game winning streak

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Indianapolis Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) wait to set up for the next play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sun Jun 4, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Mightily Challenged By Fever But Prevail 84-80

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (6-0) took on the Indiana Fever(1-4) Sunday in Indianapolis and picked up their sixth straight win to remain undefeated beating the Fever 84-80.

The Aces got a slow start and found themselves down 28-21 after the first ten minutes of play. This team does not find themselves trailing very often and so it was a bit disconcerting when they continued to trail after the first half of basketball although it had become a one point game 39-38.

The third quarter was shaky at best with the Aces continuing to struggle and the Fever extending their lead 63-56. The defending champions had a bulls eye on their back and the Fever were doing their best to zero in on Las Vegas.

The team needed to lean on Kelsey Plum who had five points through three quarters. Jackie Young was not having the game that we usually see from her. either The team would need all hands on deck to pull this game out in the fourth quarter.

With 7:38 left in the fourth quarter the Aces called a timeout. They had fallen behind 71-61 and were in danger of dropping their first game of the season. The fiery game that we have become accustomed to seeing from all of these players was off in this game and they would have to dig deep to win this one.

The Fever were shooting over 55 % from beyond the arc and the Aces were only 20% from downtown. The two teams were very even from the field but it was not only the long balls but Indiana was out rebounding them as well.

With 4:03 left in the game the Aces had tied it all up at 72 and had a real fight on their hands. With two minutes left on the clock the Fever had a 79-76 lead. With 47 ticks left in the game it was all knotted at 80. The Aces had to pull out all the stops winning the fourth quarter 28-17 and the game 84-80. It was a ferocious pace in the final minutes and the Fever put up quite a fight but it was Las Vegas who prevailed in the end.

A’Ja Wilson finished the game with the high of 27 points and ten rebounds. Jackie Young had 19 points and teammate Chelsea Gray had 17. The Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell had the high for Indiana with 22 points and they sure gave the Aces a run for their money falling to the defending champions at the end.

After the scare, the Aces will head to Connecticut for a game with the Sun. The Sun have a 6-1 record and Las Vegas will again have to dig deep in this game. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Las Vegas Stays Undefeated Winning Fifth In A Row Beating Dream 92-87

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The Las Vegas Aces bench with Chelsea Gray (12) are jubilant as the Aces remain undefeated in WNBA action with a win over the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta on Fri Jun 2, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Las Vegas Stays Undefeated Winning Fifth In A Row Beating Dream 92-87

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the Las Vegas Aces (4-0) traveled to Atlanta to take on the Atlanta Dream (2-2) and for Aces they remained undefeated with a 92-87 victory. Las Vegas has started the season with a bang amid controversy which has not slowed them down. They played without their Head Coach Becky Hammon in the first two games of the season.

Despite that they sailed through the first two games without Hammon and went on to capture the following three games now sporting a 5-0 record. They clocked their fifth win Friday night.

The Aces have more points per game, a higher percentage of field goals, rebounds, and assists then the Dream. They are also adept when it comes to stealing the ball and there is not much that they cannot do.

The solid starting roster that the Aces have presented huge problems for opposing teams. They are, of course, led by A’Ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Candace Parker. There is not a starter or bench player that is not a threat on this team.

The threat that the Dream brought to this game is Cheyenne Parker, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, everyone of them solid starters. They crushed the Sky last Tuesday 83-65 while the Aces celebrated their fourth win of the season over Minnesota 94-73 on Sunday.

Friday game recap: The Aces got off to a nice start leading after the first ten minutes 24-15. The Dream were only shooting at 31% and the Aces were doing a nice job defensively.

After leading by more than ten points in the second quarter, the Dream made a run but the Aces finished off the first two quarters leading by 15 points 45-30. The Dream were challenged defending Wilson and Young. It was all Aces so far in this game. Parker, who has 16 seasons under her belt, was all over the court dictating play throughout the first two quarters.

Las Vegas continued to lead as the third quarter came to an end, 72-58.

The Aces had led by as much as 19 but the Dream made a run in the fourth quarter to pull to within ten points, 82-72 with 4:10 left in the game. Ten turnovers for the Aces were hurting Las Vegas as the Dream tried to work back into the game trailing 82-86 with 1:38 left in the game.

Atlanta was threatening to hand the Aces their first loss of the season. With under one minute left in the game the Aces were clinging onto a three-point lead 87-84.

A Las Vegas steal gave the Aces an 89-84 lead in a real nail-biter. With 22.5 left in the game Chelsea Gray hit a clutch two giving her team a 91-87 lead. The final was 92-87. The Dream fought hard and very nearly pulled off the upset but just came up short.

Las Vegas had to pull out all the stops to win this game. Wilson finished the game with 21 points and Young had 20 points. The high score for the Dream with 25 points was Cheyenne Parker. It was a close game but the Aces dug deep and came away with the win.

Sunday afternoon the Aces will take on the Indiana Fever on the road. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.