Aces start fast, beat Sparks, 89-72

Photo credit: ESPN

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces outscored the Sparks 52-35 in the first half en route to an 89-72 win over Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena.

“Quality win. We came out and executed our game plan defensively,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “Holding a team like that to 72 points is an exceptional job.”

A’ja Wilson led the Aces, scoring 35 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.  It was Wilson’s seventh double-double of the season.

“A’ja had a big night. She is a handful when she gets it going,” said Hammon. “Her offense was her offense, but her defense was exceptional. We are seeing a more well-rounded player.”

“The ball was just going through the hoop,” said Wilson. “I had a rough stretch of games and I needed to step up for my team.”

Dearica Hamby dropped 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Kelsey Plum added 17.

“It was nice to get my confidence back tonight,” said Hamby.

All 89 Aces points came from the five starters.  The bench players went 0-8 from the field.

Las Vegas held former Aces center Liz Cambage to just six points and six rebounds.

With the win, the Aces improved to a WNBA best 11-2 on the season, heading into their next game in Dallas against the Wings on Wednesday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 48.5% from the field, while going 7 for 24 from three-point range.
The Aces out-rebounded the Sparks, 41-30.
The Aces turned the ball over 19 times.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 55 Theresa Plaisance
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Jackie Young – Out, Right Ankle Sprain
Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot Sprain

Aces clip Wings, 84-78

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) guards Dallas Wings guard Marina Mabrey (3) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service Photo/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces rebounded from a loss to Connecticut on Thursday with an 84-78 win over the Dallas Wings at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“Tough battle,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “We dug in and found a way to win.”

“Every game isn’t going to be pretty,” said guard Chelsea Gray. “It was a gritty win.”

Dallas was able to keep the game close by pulling down 19 offensive rebounds, but Las Vegas held them to just 10 second chance points.

“They hurt us on the glass and thankfully we were able to get stops down the stretch,” said Hammon.

Aces guard Kelsey Plum tied a career high 32 points, going 10 for 19 from the field and 4 for 11 from three-point range.

“We were proud that everyone came with the mindset to win the game,” said Plum. “I was proud of the way we battled.”

A’ja Wilson had just eight points and seven rebounds, but was in foul trouble the whole game and later fouled out in the fourth quarter.

“A’ja is our anchor and when she is missing, you feel it,” said Hammon about Wilson’s fouls and the referee calls. “She needs to get more respect on both ends of the floor.”

With the win, the Aces improved to a WNBA best 10-2 record heading into a two game road trip in Los Angeles and in Dallas.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 42.3% from the field, while holding Dallas to 34.6%.
Las Vegas was out-rebounded by the Wings, 50-35.
The Aces forced 17 Wings turnovers.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 55 Theresa Plaisance
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot Sprain
Jackie Young – Out, Right Ankle Sprain

Aces winning streak ends at seven, fall to Sun, 97-90

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service Photo/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Connecticut Sun bounced back from an 89-81 loss to the Aces on Tuesday with a 97-90 win at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“It’s hard to beat a team two times in a row, that close together,” said head coach Becky Hammon.

The Aces fell behind early, trailing at the end of the first quarter, 37-22.

“Obviously, not the first quarter that we wanted,” said Hammon. “After that, I thought the teams played pretty evenly, but we put ourselves in a hole. You can’t let a team scored 37 points in 10 minutes.”

Jackie Young led the Aces with 26 points, going 9 for 12 from the field. Young left the game later in the game due to injury.

“We were all upset to see her [Young] go down,” said guard Kelsey Plum. “Jackie is as tough as it gets.”

Plum dropped 23 points, including shooting 5 for 10 from three-point range, while A’ja Wilson scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

“We lost the game in the first quarter,” said Plum. “They came out and punched us in the face.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 9-2 on the season but still hold the best record in the WNBA.

Las Vegas will next meet the Dallas Wings at home on Sunday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 48.5% from the field, while going 10 for 25 from three-point range.
Las Vegas was out-rebounded by the Sun, 37-31.
The Aces turned the ball over 13 times.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot Sprain

Wilson leads Aces past Sun, 89-81

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, May 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service Photo/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces won their seventh straight game in an 89-81 win over the Connecticut Sun at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Center A’ja Wilson scored a game high 24 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.

Wilson scored in double figures for the ninth time this season and recorded her sixth double-double of the season.

Guard Jackie Young dropped 24 points, while guard Kelsey Plum scored 18, going 3 for 7 from three-point range.

The Aces got just four points off the bench, all four from center Kiah Stokes.

With the win, the Aces improved to 9-1 on the season with the best record in the WNBA.

Las Vegas will face the Connecticut Sun again on Thursday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 45.2% from the field, while going 6 for 25 from three-point range.
Las Vegas out-rebounded the Sun, 38-37.
The Aces outscored the Sun 22-2 in fast break points.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot Sprain

Aces blow out Sparks, 104-76

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) boxes out Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Monday, May 23, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service Photo/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces knocked down 18 three-point shots enroute to a 104-76 blowout win over the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“We were pretty locked in from the jump,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “I was more happy with our defense holding that team to 76 points.”

The Aces were led by center A’ja Wilson, who scored 24 points, going 10 for 15 from the field.

“A’ja really set the tone and defensively, she worked,” said Hammon. “She has been our leader on both ends of the floor.”

“I just try to put the ball in the hoop,” said Wilson. “My teammates trust me enough.”

The 18 three-pointers set a franchise record, along with tying a WNBA record.

Forward Jackie Young scored 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds, while guard Kelsey Plum added 17.

“You saw not just starters, but everyone contributed,” said Plum. “People had complete games.  We are in a great rhythm and a great flow.”

Las Vegas held former Aces center Liz Cambage to just 10 points and four rebounds.

With the win, the Aces improved to 7-1 on the season.

Las Vegas will next face a tough three game stretch, traveling to Chicago on Saturday, then returning home for two games against the Connecticut Sun.

“These next 3 games, we are going to get a feel of where we are at,” said Hammon. “It is going to be a really good test.”

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 50.7% from the field, while going 18 for 38 from three-point range.
The Aces out-rebounded the Sparks, 42-32.
Guard Jackie Young was named WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot Sprain

Big third quarter lifts Aces over Mercury, 100-80

Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) drives around Phoenix Mercury center Megan Gustafson (10) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

The Aces exploded in the third quarter to beat the Phoenix Mercury, 100-80, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Up 44-42 at halftime, the Aces went on a 38-18 run in the third quarter to break the game open.  The 38 points were a record number of points in a quarter in franchise history.

“We really buckled down defensive,” said head coach Becky Hammon about the third quarter. “The girls really locked in.  Offensively we got out and we were able to run on them.”

Las Vegas was led by guard Kelsey Plum, scoring 24 points and going 3 for 6 from three-point range.

“We were a little complacent in the first half,” said Plum. “We knew that we had to step up our defensive intensity.”

“She just comes in and shoots the open shots,” said Hammon about Plum. “I think it’s going in every time.”

Forward Jackie Young scored 20 points, while Dearica Hamby and Chelsea Gray added 13.

“I think it’s just being confident shooting and being ready to shoot the next one,” said Young about her shot.

The Aces got 11 points and nine rebounds from Theresa Plaisance off the bench.

With the win, the Aces improved to 5-1 on the season heading into a matchup at home on Monday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 47.9% from the field, while going 9 for 27 from three-point range.
Las Vegas forced 15 Phoenix turnovers.
The Aces out-rebounded the Mercury, 36-33.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot Sprain

Aces top Mercury in Commissioner’s Cup matchup, 86-74

Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives past Phoenix Mercury guard Diamond DeShields (1) in the first half during a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Michelob ULTRA Arena, in Las Vegas. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review Journal)

By Shawn McCullough

All five Aces’ starters scored 13 or more points as Las Vegas beat the Phoenix Mercury, 86-74, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

The Aces were led by guard Kelsey Plum with 20 points, going 4 for 8 from three-point range, while Jackie Young added 19.

A’ja Wilson recorded her 4^th double-double this season (out of five games), scoring 16 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

The Aces fell behind early, trailing 29-21 after the first quarter, but rallied in the second and third quarters, outscoring the Mercury 48-26.

Las Vegas got 82 points from their starting five, while only getting four points from the bench.

With the win, the Aces improved to 4-1 on the season heading into a matchup at home on Thursday against the Minnesota Lynx.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 46.8% from the field.
Las Vegas forced 15 Phoenix turnovers.
The Aces were out-rebounded by the Mercury, 31-29.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

None

Aces avenge tough loss in DC, beat Dream, 96-73

Kelsey Plum pointed toward travel issues as a factor in the Aces-Mystics game on Tuesday night. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

By Shawn McCullough

Six Aces players scored in double digits as Las Vegas rolled over the Dream, 96-73, in Atlanta.

“We kind of picked up where we left off last season,” said guard Kelsey Plum on the balanced scoring. “We shared the ball well and people were getting open looks.”

Plum scored 14 points and dished out 11 assists.

The Aces fell to the Mystics in Washington DC on Tuesday, 89-76, after scoring just seven points in the third quarter.

“It [the win] was huge,” said guard Chelsea Gray. “It said a lot about our team to come back and play like we are capable of playing.”

Gray scored 14 points.

The Aces took and made franchise highs in three-pointers, going 16 for 35 from beyond the arc.

“We have been putting them up pretty good,” said guard Riquna Williams. “We want to shoot the three.   If they give it to us, we are going to take it.”

Williams scored 14 points, making four three-pointers.

Dearica Hamby had a double-double, scoring 11 points and pulling down 13 rebounds, while A’ja Wilson dropped a team high 15 points.

With the win, the Aces improved to 3-1 on the season heading into a matchup at home on Tuesday against the Phoenix Mercury.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 47.1% from the field.
Las Vegas turned the ball over 13 times.
The Aces were out-rebounded by the Dream, 36-31.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Kiah Stokes – Out, Overseas

Mystics rally in second half, beat Aces, 89-76

The Mystics’ Elena Delle Donne outdueled the Aces’ A’ja Wilson on Tuesday night. (Terrance Williams for The Washington Post)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces led 49-35 at halftime, but scored just seven points in the third quarter to fall to the Mystics in Washington, 89-76.

Las Vegas was outscored 53-27 in the second half.

The Aces were led by forward Jackie Young, who scored 19 points, while Kelsey Plum added 18.

A’ja Wilson had a double-double scoring 10 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

The Aces struggled from three-point range, going just 6 for 17 beyond the arc.

This was head coach Becky Hammon’s first loss with the Aces.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 2-1 on the season heading into a matchup in Atlanta on Friday against the Dream.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 41.5% from the field.
Las Vegas turned the ball over 16 times.
The Aces were out-rebounded by the Mystics, 38-34.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot
Kiah Stokes – Out, Overseas

Aces blow out Mercury in season opener 106-88

Phoenix Mercury’s Shey Peddy, front right, drives around Las Vegas Aces’ Dearica Hamby (5) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 6, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

By Shawn McCullough

Three Aces scored 20 or more points as Las Vegas routed the Mercury, 106-88, at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

“We will take 1-0,” said head coach Becky Hammon on the win. “The girls came out locked and loaded and ready to play.  We played well and I know we can still play better.”

Hammon coached her first game as the head coach of the Aces.

“It was super fun,” said Hammon. “I could feel how bad they wanted it for me.  That was the most special thing about it.”

Dearica Hamby led the Aces with 24 points, going 11 for 14 from the field, while A’ja Wilson dropped 15 and pulled down 11 rebounds.

“We are playing hard and tonight was a lot of fun,” said Hamby. “It [the win over Phoenix] was a good measuring stick to see where we are.”

“It is pretty encouraging that I can have a light day with ‘the gun’,” said Wilson about only taking eight shots and still winning by 18.

Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum each added 20 points.

“I just tried to come out and be aggressive,” said Young.

Guard Chelsea Gray dished out her 1,000^th career assist in the third quarter.

The Aces will return to Las Vegas for their home opener on Sunday at Michelob Ultra Arena against the Seattle Storm.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 58.2% from the field and 52.4% from three-point range.
Las Vegas turned the ball over 16 times.
The Aces out-rebounded the Mercury, 38-26.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams – Out, Left Foot
Kiah Stokes – Out, Overseas