Down ten points at halftime, the Aces outscored the Sparks, 58-39 in the second half to beat Los Angeles, 94-85, at Crypto.com Arena.
“Great overall effort in the second half,” said acting head coach Natalie Nakase. “Just fighting back in the second half from an ugly start to get that win.”
Jackie Young led the Aces with 30 points, 17 coming in the second half.
“That’s Jackie,” said A’ja Wilson. “She is one of the bests two-way guards in the league.”
Wilson recorded a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.
“I knew that I had to crash the boards and those are the possessions that we need,” said Wilson.
Guard Chelsea Gray added 16 points and eight assists.
With the win, the Aces improved to 2-0 on the season and will head home on Saturday for their home opener against the Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Head coach Becky Hammon will return from a two-game suspension on Saturday.
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) blocks the shot of Seattle Storm guard Kia Nurse (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
By Shawn McCullough
The defending WNBA world champions had no problem rolling over the Storm in Seattle, 105-64.
Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum each led the Aces with 23 points, while A’ja Wilson added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
“It’s not easy,” said Wilson despite the blowout win. “We’ve got newcomers that have to get used to the system. We ourselves as the core are still trying to get to know and jell with everyone. I think it’s just going to come with time.”
The Aces were without head coach Becky Hammon, who is currently serving a two-game suspension from the WNBA for violating league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.
Tyler Marsh was the acting head coach.
“I’m a coach’s kid, so I grew up in coaching,” Marsh said. “For my dad to be out here just to see me coach and for my wife and my son to be out here, that’s the sentimental part for me.”
Newly acquired center Candace Parker debuted with 12 points.
The Aces will next travel to Los Angeles on Thursday to face the Sparks.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) following a 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo Credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)
By Shawn McCullough
GLENDALE AZ–It was widely believed that the two best teams from the 2022 NFL season advanced to play in Super Bowl LVII and now that was confirmed.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles battled for just short of 60 minutes to a 35-35 tie, until Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker nailed the game winning 27-yard field goal with eight seconds left to lift Kansas City to a 38-35 Super Bowl win.
“That’s what you dream of as a kicker getting to the Super bowl and having a game winning kick,” said Butker. “You know, it’s crazy to think that’s now happened.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named the game MVP, throwing for 182 and three touchdowns, while also rushing six times for 44 yards.
“I’m going to Disneyland now,” said Mahomes. “So I have Disney World and Disneyland crossed off.”
Both teams traded scores back and forth in the first half, until the Eagles gained some momentum in the second quarter, taking a 10-point lead into halftime.
“We were right there,” said head coach Andy Reid about halftime. “I don’t have to motivate these guys too much. They’re very motivated to do well, and we were down by ten points so it’s not that much.”
The Chiefs got the ball in the second half and drove the field 75 yards in 10 plays resulting in an Isiah Pacheco one yard touchdown run to gain momentum and pull to within three points.
“We came to win and rose as one to the occasion,” said Pacheco. “Eleven guys played their hearts out on that side of the ball and that’s what it takes. For 11 guys to play their hearts out or the job wouldn’t get done.”
Pacheco ran the ball 15 times for 76 yards and a touchdown.
The Chiefs gained their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter on a five yard pass from Mahomes to Kadarius Toney and later extended that lead on another Mahomes touchdown pass to go up 35-27.
With 5:15 left, the Eagles tied the game with a two yard touchdown run by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and also adding a two-point conversion, but the Chiefs controlled the clock, drove the field and drilled the late field goal.
“We work really hard to have this opportunity and to come up short is tough,” said Hurts. “There’s always a lot to learn from, the opportunity to reflect on things we didn’t do or could have done, but I think there’s a lot to learn from it.”
Hurts finished the game throwing for 304 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing 15 times for 70 yards and three touchdowns.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Eagles center Jason Kelce were the first brothers to every play against each other in a Super Bowl.
“There’s nothing you can really say to a loved one in a situation like that,” said Travis Kelce about his brother Jason. “You joke around all the time and say you want to beat your brother on the biggest stage, but it’s a weird feeling. There’s nothing I can say to him other than I love him and he played a hell of a year, a hell of a season.”
With the win, the Chiefs have now won three Super Bowls in franchise history, last being in Super Bowl LIV over the San Francisco 49ers in Miami, 31-20.
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) in front of Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones (35) during a WNBA game on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo Credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)
By Shawn McCullough
LAS VEGAS–The Aces took a commanding two games to zero lead in the best of five WNBA Finals with an 85-71 win over the Connecticut Sun at Michelob Ultra Arena.
“I don’t see any banners, I don’t see any balloons,” said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “We haven’t won anything yet.”
WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson led all scoring with 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Aces.
“We aren’t’ done yet and we have things to take care of,” said Wilson on going up 2-0 in the series.
Wilson has averaged 25 points per game so far in the WNBA Finals.
“She is so explosive right now,” said Sun head coach Curt Miller. “It has been really impressive.”
Guard Courtney Williams led the Sun with 18 points, while center Jonquel Jones added 16 and pulled down 11 rebounds.
Aces Chelsea Gray scored 21 points, while Kelsey Plum added 20.
“Chelsea Gray is one of the smartest basketball players,” said Hammon. “Her IQ is ridiculous.”
Gray also dished out eight assists.
“What sets me apart is my willingness to be great,” said Gray. “I want to make others better.”
The Aces and the Sun will play game three of the best of five series on Thursday in Connecticut.
“We have another opportunity,” said Jones. “We are going home in front of our fans.”
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 6: Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces handles the ball during the game against the Seattle Storm on September 6, 2022 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Shawn McCullough
The Aces closed out the best of five semifinal series with a 97-92 win over the Storm in Seattle.
“Tough, gritty win on our part,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “We are thrilled to be going back to the Finals and I’m pumped for our girls.”
Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray took control of the game, scoring 31 points and dishing out 10 assists.
“I’m going into my shots like I practice them,” said Gray.
Gray went 4 for 8 from three-point range.
“She [Gray] is the head of our snake,” said Aces forward A’ja Wilson. “I have never seen anyone dictate the game like that.”
Wilson contributed with 23 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.
“You have to beat the best to be the best,” said Wilson. “We are playing some really good teams.”
Storm forward Breanna Stewart scored a game high 42 points in the loss.
“Stewy was unbelievable tonight,” said Hammon.
Seattle guard Sue Bird played the final game of her 21-year career in Seattle, scoring eight points and dishing out eight assists.
“She had a fairytale career,” said Hammon. “He thumbprint on the game is forever etched in.”
The Aces will return to the WNBA Finals after losing the best of five series in 2020, three games to none, to the Seattle Storm.
The Aces will play either the Chicago Sky or the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA Finals. That series is currently tied at two with game five on Thursday in Chicago.
The Aces shot 56.3% from the field. Las Vegas went 10 for 22 from three-point range. Riquna Williams scored 6 points, the only points coming from the bench. A’ja Wilson played all 45 minutes of the game.
Game Starters:
C – 41 Kia Stokes F – 22 A’ja Wilson F – 0 Jackie Young G – 10 Kelsey Plum G – 12 Chelsea Gray
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) shoots over Seattle Storm center Tina Charles (31) during the first half in Game 3 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
By Shawn McCullough
The Aces moved to within one win of the WNBA Finals with a 110-98 overtime win over the Storm in Seattle.
“It was a hell of a game,” said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “I don’t know if I have ever been a part of something like that. Big shots from both sides.”
The Storm led by four points, 89-85, with 11.3 seconds remaining in the game when the madness began.
“We were up four points with not a lot of time left and that is where we lost the game,” said Storm guard Sue Bird.
Off the inbound, Riquna Williams drained a three pointer to get the Aces to within one point with 10.2 seconds remaining.
“I was just trying to let my offense come to me,” said Williams.
After two missed free throws by Seattle’s Tina Charles, Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson gave the Aces the lead, 90-89, with 2.9 seconds left.
“We live for these moments,” said Wilson. “We worked hard to get to where we are. We were locked in.”
Wilson scored 34 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
Soon after, Bird hit a three-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining to give the Storm a two point lead, but Aces guard Jackie Young sent the game into overtime at the buzzer.
“That’s what playoff basketball is all about,” said Aces guard Chelsea Gray.
Gray scored 29 points and dished out 12 assists.
In overtime, the Aces dominated, outscoring the Storm 18-6 in the extra period.
“It was really frustrating,” said Storm forward Breanna Stewart. “We had the game and we gave it to them.”
With the win, the Aces now lead the best of five series, two games to one.
The Aces and the Storm will play game four in Seattle on Tuesday.
The Aces shot 52.4% from the field. Las Vegas went 12 for 28 from three-point range. Riquna Williams scored 14 points, the only points coming from the bench. A’ja Wilson played all 45 minutes of the game.
Game Starters:
C – 41 Kia Stokes F – 22 A’ja Wilson F – 0 Jackie Young G – 10 Kelsey Plum G – 12 Chelsea Gray
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) during a WNBA game on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo Credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)
By Shawn McCullough
LAS VEGAS–After falling at home in game one on Sunday, the Aces evened the best of five series against the Storm with a 78-73 win at Michelob Ultra Arena.
“We dug in and did what we had to do,” said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “This pretty much was a must win for us.”
“Physically hard-fought game, but obviously, it didn’t go the way we wanted,” said Storm forward Breanna Stewart. “We had a lot of opportunities.”
Aces forward A’ja Wilson scored a career playoff high 33 points while also pulling down 13 rebounds.
“I was really locked in for my team,” said Wilson. “I needed to be more present and in the moment for my team.”
“Mashing up against A’ja, you have to respect everything that she does,” said Stewart. “It’s competitive. You want people to go at you so you can go at them.”
Stewart led the Storm with 32 points, while center Tina Charles added 17.
“Everyone loves a good matchup [Wilson vs Stewart],” said Wilson. ”It’s good that we are starting to grow something like that.”
Chelsea Gray scored 19 points, while fellow guard Kelsey Plum added 18.
Despite the loss, the Storm were able to hold the highest scoring offense [Aces] in the WNBA to under 80 points for a second straight game.
“Super proud of our effort. Holding Vegas to under 80 is a feat,” said Storm head coach Noelle Quinn. “We just have to clean up some things offensively.”
The Aces and the Storm will play game three of the best of five series on Sunday in Seattle.
The Aces shot 42.2% from the field. Las Vegas went just 6 for 18 from three-point range. 70 of the 78 Aces points were scored by either Wilson, Plum or Gray.
Game Starters:
C – 41 Kia Stokes F – 22 A’ja Wilson F – 0 Jackie Young G – 10 Kelsey Plum G – 12 Chelsea Gray
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) during a WNBA game on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo Credit: Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)
By Shawn McCullough
The Aces had no trouble closing out the best of three game series against Phoenix with a 117-80 win over the Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena.
“Happy to put a team away,” said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “Tonight, the offense was special, they played the right way and the ball went in.”
The Aces hit a WNBA record 23 three-point shots, blowing away the previous record of 18 set in the regular season by the Aces.
“It all looks good when the ball goes in the hole,” said Hammon. “Nice to see the ball go through the hoop and get a swagger going into the next round.”
“It was just like a barrage,” said Mercury head coach Vanessa Nygaard. “I don’t know if I have ever seen that.”
Aces guard Chelsea Gray was on fire, scoring 27 points, while going 7 for 8 from three-point range.
“It was a great sight,” said Gray. “It felt good and it felt fun.”
Kelsey Plum dropped 22 points, while A’ja Wilson added 17.
“We were just taking what the defense gave us,” said Wilson.
The season came to an end for the Mercury, who have had to endure countless obstacles throughout the season.
“There were a lot of challenges, but I am really proud of our team,” said Nygaard. “They have great fight, they have great grit, they are tough.”
The Aces will next play in the semi-finals starting Sunday, August 28 at home against either the Seattle Storm or the Washington Mystics.
The Aces shot 64.1% from the field. Las Vegas got eight three-pointers off the bench. The NBA record in a single game was 29 by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2020.
Game Starters:
C – 41 Kia Stokes F – 22 A’ja Wilson F – 0 Jackie Young G – 10 Kelsey Plum G – 12 Chelsea Gray
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