Las Vegas, NV —In Tuesday’s night action, the Las Vegas Aces Vegas (18-2) were victorious against the Phoenix Mercury with a score of 98-72. During the game, three players from the Aces team scored 20 or more points. Jackie Young lead the way with 23 points, Chelsea Gray chipped in 21 achieved her fourth point-assist double-double of the season and the 9th of her career, she also had 11 assists, A’ja Wilson added 20 points.
All three are All-Stars and had a combined score of 25 for 39 from the field, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range. In the first quarter, there were three lead changes and seven ties. However, a 7-0 run from the Aces team turned a 2-point deficit into a 5-point advantage, which they held onto for the rest of the game.
Las Vegas led 26-22 after one quarter but extended that to 52-34 at the break. The Aces dominated with a 36-12 difference on points on the blocks to go with 52% shooting.
The Aces team made 50% of their shots from the field, while the Mercury team made 38.6% of theirs.
Michaela Onyenwere scored 18 points for the Mercury (4-15) and was a substitute. They are currently last in the league in scoring at 77 points a game. Brittney Griner chipped in 13 points, and Diana Taurasi had 11 points, moving her closer to 10,000 points for her career.
The Aces team outscored the Phoenix team 50-32 in the paint and committed only four turnovers during the game. The Aces has won 16 straight home games, which is tied for the 7th longest streak in WNBA history.
The 2014-15 Phoenix Mercury team is next on the list in 6th place with 17 straight home victories. The Aces led by as many as 36 in the second half and after hitting just one 3-pointer in the first half they made eight after the break.
They still have one more game before the All-Star break, but coach Becky Hammon’s team has passed the halfway point of its season.
Asked to evaluate the season so far, reigning MVP A’ja Wilson praised the group’s defensive growth, but said there’s still room for improvement, I don’t think we’re at our peak of playing our best basketball,” Wilson said.
The sold-out game drew a franchise-record 10,281 fans, which included NBA stars in Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, Houston Rockets guard John Wall and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, as well as Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas and Mike (Coach K) Krzyzewski.
