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Aces falter in the fourth quarter, fall to Dream 109-100

Published on August 7, 2018August 7, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

The Atlanta Dream scored eight of the last 10 points of the game to beat the Aces 109-100 at McCamish Pavilion.

The Aces led 84-80 after three quarters, but Atlanta outscored Las Vegas 29-16 in the fourth quarter.

Four Aces scored in double digits including a team high 20 points from point guard Kelsey Plum.

Kayla McBride dropped 19 points, while A’ja Wilson added 18.

With the loss, the Aces have now lost four straight games coming out of the All-Star Break and have now dropped 2.5 games out of a playoff spot with five games remaining in the regular season.

The Aces will next return home on Thursday night to face the Minnesota Lynx at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 48.6% from the field and 42.9% from three point range.
The Aces out rebounded the Dream 34-29.
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (18) for the 28th straight game.
The Aces gave up a franchise high 109 points for the second straight game.
The WNBA announced that the game between the Aces and the Mystics in Washington D.C., that was canceled due to Las Vegas travel issue, will count as a forfeit and a loss for the Aces.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces drop their second straight game in 109-88 loss to Sun

Published on August 5, 2018August 5, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

Head coach Bill Laimbeer knew that the All-Star Break layoff was a very important time for his team to remain focused on their playoff push, but what he feared is becoming reality.

The Aces have struggled losing their second straight game out of the break 109-88 to the Sun in Connecticut.

This is the second straight game that their opponent has scored over 100 points, a feat that no team has done against the Aces since May 31^st when the Seattle Storm beat Las Vegas 101-74.

Rookie A’ja Wilson scored 24 points while point guard Kelsey Plum dropped 21, going 5 for 6 from three point range.

The Aces committed 14 turnovers while being out-rebounded 35-26.

With the loss, the Aces dropped to 12-15 on the season and are 1.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Aces will next play the Dream in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces took the lead early, but the Sun never trailed after 3:06 into the game.
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (24) for the 27th straight game.
The 109 points given up by the Aces was the most in franchise history.
The WNBA announced that the 2019 All-Star Game will be held in Las Vegas.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces-Mystics game canceled in Washington, D.C.

Published on August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

It was a very long 24+ hours for the Las Vegas Aces.

The team was scheduled to depart McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas for Washington, D.C. at 1:13 pm Pacific on Thursday, but the flight was delayed multiple times for a total of close to eight hours and later canceled.

The team connected in Dallas early in the morning and later arrived in Washington, D.C. at 3 pm Eastern, four hours before the scheduled tip-off at Capital One Arena.

The WNBA delayed the start of the game to 8 pm Eastern and later decided to cancel the game.

Since fans had already arrived at the arena for the game, the Mystics organized a free autograph session with the Mystics players, refunded all tickets purchased and offered complimentary tickets to a future Mystics game.

The Aces will next play in Connecticut on Sunday against the Sun.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Aces enter All-Star break with 88-74 win over Indiana

Published on July 22, 2018July 22, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

As far as the Las Vegas Aces are concerned, this may be a bad time for the All-Star break.

The Aces beat the Indiana Fever 88-74 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday night and have now won six of their last seven.

Four players scored in double digit including A’ja Wilson, who scored 24 points and Kayla McBride, who added 16.

“It was a good team win,” said Wilson. “For us to just come out and get a win, it’s something special. Our bench production was great today, everyone came and there was no drop off and that’s what you need around this time.”

Center Carolyn Swords came off the bench and contributed with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

“I think that’s always been kind of my mentality and just focusing on one thing at a time, one possession at a time,” said Swords. “Whether it’s a rebound coming my way or knowing that the player that I’m guarding is a good rebounder gives me something to focus on and just try to stay present with that.”

With the team’s recent success, the Aces are aware that it is critical to handle the All-Star break appropriately.

“The All-Star Break is usually a pretty dangerous turning point,” said Swords. “Sometimes people can overlook the game right before or right after. Some teams will come back right after the All-Star Break and really take off. We want to make sure that we keep our momentum, stay focused, take care of ourselves while we have a couple of days and then make sure that we really hit the ground running when we come back.”

A’Ja Wilson and Kayla McBride were voted to the WNBA All-Star game which will be played on Saturday in Minneapolis.

“It feels good, it’s a blessing,” said Wilson about being voted to the All-Star game in her first season.

“I’m excited to be able to represent Vegas,” said McBride. “The fan base has been so amazing, so to be able to go and represent them the first year with A’ja is really special to me.”

With the win, the Aces improved to 12-13 on the season and trail the Connecticut Sun by one game for the 8^th spot in the WNBA standings, as the top eight teams in the league make the playoffs.

The Aces will next play the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday, August 1^st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 3 Kelsey Bone
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Photo Gallery: Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever

Published on July 22, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Aces making playoff push with 85-82 win over Mercury in Phoenix

Published on July 19, 2018July 19, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

A once young team is now starting to find its stride with confidence and determination.

The Aces got 27 points from All-Star guard Kayla McBride in an 85-82 road win over the Phoenix Mercury. Las Vegas has now won five of their last six games.

A’ja Wilson put up a double-double, scoring 18 points with 12 rebounds.

Down 34-33 in the second quarter, the Aces rolled off 13 straight points and never trailed after that.

The Mercury were led by guard Diana Taurasi, who scored 33 points, while center Brittney Griner scored 19 and pulled down 10 rebounds.

With the win, the Aces improved to 11-13 on the season and moved to within 1.5 games of the 8^th place Connecticut Sun.

The Aces will next return home to face the 2-21 Indiana Fever on Sunday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (18) for the 24th straight game.
The Aces have now won five of their last six games.
8,587 fans attended the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Rookie A’ja Wilson and Kayla McBride were both named to the WNBA All-Star Game and will play on Team Delle Donne (both were drafted by All-Star captain Elena Delle Donne)
Today is Carolyn Swords’ birthday. She started and played a little over 17 minutes, scoring four points with two rebounds.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Aces four game winning streak comes to an end with loss to Sparks 99-78

Published on July 15, 2018July 15, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces kept the game close through three quarters, but Las Vegas was outscored 35-15 in the fourth quarter by the Los Angeles Sparks in a 99-78 loss at Delano Las Vegas on Sunday.

“Once things got going well for them (Los Angeles), they just kept going and kept pushing and they’re a good team, they’ve been together for a while,” said rookie A’ja Wilson of the fourth quarter run by the Sparks.

“I got a sense that we got worn down mentally,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer. “Los Angeles is a very strong team. They’ve been to the finals three years in a row and are former champions. They execute under pressure. We didn’t.”

Laimbeer also publically had very strong words on the performance of Wilson.

“After the game I made it clear to her (Wilson) and the team that she can’t put her head down like that,” said Laimbeer of Wilson. “It was clear to everybody on her team and everybody in the gym that she missed a couple of shots, became disengaged from the game and dragged the rest of the team down. For the undisputed leader of our ball club, that cannot happen. I think that was made very clear to her. She understands it. We’re going to find out how she deals with it.”

“I take full blame for tonight,” said Wilson. “I didn’t engage the way I needed to be engaged and it showed. I can’t afford to do that for my team, so in the stretch it was all about mental toughness and I take full blame for it because I was not good.”

Wilson scored 15 points while shooting 6-for-20 from the field and Kayla McBride added 18.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 10-13 on the season, but have still won four of their last five games.

The Aces trail the Connecticut Sun and the Minnesota Lynx by 2.5 games for the 8^th spot in the WNBA standings, as the top eight teams in the league make the playoffs.

The Aces will next play the Mercury on Thursday in Phoenix.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The game saw 19 lead changes and six ties.
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (15) for the 23rd straight game.
The Aces have won four of their last 5 games.
4,810 Aces fans were in attendance.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 3 Kelsey Bone
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Photo Gallery: Las Vegas Aces vs. Los Angeles Sparks

Published on July 15, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Aced That Test: Vegas holds on at Minnesota, their first win over the Lynx since 2014

Published on July 14, 2018July 14, 2018 by moepeaLeave a comment

Photo courtesy of Aaron Lavinsky/Minneapolis Star Tribune

By Morris Phillips

MINNEAPOLIS — The growth process of the Las Vegas Aces reached a significant milestone on Friday night.

Winning at the Target Center–in front of the WNBA’s best home crowd–and maintaining a lead throughout the fourth quarter when as many things went wrong as went right, said as much as beating the four-time champions for the first time since the 2014 playoffs.

Coach Bill Laimbeer wasn’t in the mood to organize a parade in celebration of the 85-77 win–part of a first-ever, four-game win streak for the Aces. But the veteran coach liked what he saw.

“We’re getting better. No question about that. We’re playing hard every game. We have some horses that we can go to. Now we have to get more pieces, and our bench players to be a little bit more consistent, and I think we’re making good progress,” Laimbeer said.

Kayla McBride led the Aces with 24 points, but McBride was just one of five Aces to score in double figures. While the Aces’ stars–McBride, Kelsey Plum and rookie, No. 1 overall pick A’ja Wilson–led the way, they had plenty of help. Front court reserve Carolyn Swords played 28 minutes off the bench, leading the committee that put the clamps on 6’6″ Sylvia Fowles. And Tamera Young converted consecutive baskets that gave the Aces their biggest lead, 72-64 with 8:58 remaining.

“To beat a great team like Minnesota you have to have everybody kind of involved,” McBride said. “It’s not just going to be one or two players that can beat them because they are so good and experienced. I thought it was a great win for us, especially on the road.”

After starting the season 1-7, the Stars have won nine of 14. The Aces are in the playoff hunt at 10-12 with their eyes focused on the Lynx (12-9), the team currently occupying the sixth and final playoff spot. In between the Lynx and Aces, seventh-place Dallas and eight-place Atlanta will have to be reckoned with as well. But on Friday, the Aces dealt with the Lynx, a team that had beaten them in 19 of the previous 20 meetings dating back to their days in San Antonio.

“I’ve been a part of those,” McBride said of the 19 losses. “Coach did mention that. The only win that we had I think was in the playoffs my rookie year we won like one of them in a three-game series.”

The Lynx fell to 6-4 at home, uncharacteristic for a team that won 103 of 119 at the Target Center between 2011 and 2017, the period of their four WNBA titles. Are they older and losing effectiveness? Sure, seven of the 12 players on their roster are over 30, including rookie Endy Miyem from France. But the Lynx fight the aging process vigorously, and they did so again on Friday. 36-year old Lindsay Whalen looked like fine wine in posting a team-best 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. And 34-year old Simone Augustus followed suit with 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

But in key stretches, the Lynx offense appeared stagnant. Minnesota also failed to get Fowles untracked (2-of-9 shooting, 7 points), and got beat on the glass (Aces’ 42-36 rebounding advantage). But most significantly, leading scorer Maya Moore struggled, missing 10 of her 15 shot attempts.

“Vegas was good. For sure, they were really good on offense. They converted right at us (off) makes and misses. Their complete identity, they got to play to it. On both sides of it. Their complete identity, and that’s disappointing,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve admitted.

The Aces host the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm PDT at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Aces extend winning streak to three games with 98-74 win over Sky

Published on July 10, 2018July 10, 2018 by psushawnLeave a comment

Photo credit: Las Vegas Aces

By Shawn McCullough

Four Aces scored in double digits as Las Vegas beat the Sky in Chicago 98-74.

Kayla McBride led the Aces with 18 points, including going 3-for-4 from 3-point range, while Tamera Young added 16 points.

Rookie A’ja Wilson scored her second lowest point total of the season with 12 points, going just 4-for-12 from the field.

Las Vegas trailed Chicago 21-17 after the first quarter, but the Aces broke the game open by outscoring the Sky 32-15 in the second quarter.

With the win, the Aces improved to 9-12 on the season and moved to within 1.5 games of the 8^th place Atlanta Dream.

The Aces will next travel to Minnesota to face the Lynx on Friday and then return home on Sunday to host the Los Angeles Sparks at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes: