Las Vegas, NV —The Las Vegas are kicking their game into a whole new gear. They are beating up teams from the jump, taking no prisoners attitude.
The Aces clinched a berth in the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, Tuesday evening, with a 93-72 victory over the visiting Atlanta Dream (14-12). Jackie Young poured in 24 points, A’ja Wilson had 20 points and 11 boards for the win.
With the win, the Aces improved their record to 24-2, and helped them keep pace with the 1998 Houston Comets for the best record through 26 games in WNBA history.
A’ja Wilson recorded the 56th 20+ point, 10+ rebound game of her career (20 pts, 11 rebs) moving her into a tie for 5th place on the W’s career list. Kierstan Bell chipped in a career-high 15 points off the bench for the Aces.
The Aces has won 18 straight home games, which is tied for the fourth longest streak in the WNBA history. The 2000-02 Los Angeles Sparks own the record having won 28 consecutive home games across 3 seasons.
The Dream jumped out to an early 8-2 lead, but the Aces remained compose and bounced back with an 8-0 run of their own. The Aces was a little sloppy with the ball turning it over five times in the quarter managed to keep it close in that frame. Wilson led all scorers in the period with 11 points, as Las Vegas made 10 of 16 shots compared to 9 of 20 for Atlanta.
Las Vegas scored 21 of the first 28 points of the quarter and extended its lead to 18, (49-31). Young scored 14 points in that period, while Cheyenne Parker countered with 11 for Atlanta. The Aces made 64.3 percent of their shots from the hardwood, while the Dream connected on 50%. The Dream turned the rock over five times which Las Vegas converted into 14 points.
The Aces led 54-43 at the break behind three double-digit scorers in Young (18), Wilson (13), and Plum (10). Vegas shot 63% from the court, including 7 of 11 from downtown.
Kierstan Bell made a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to push the Aces’ lead to 75-62 early in the fourth quarter. She finished with a career-high 15 points.
Kelsey Plum chipped in 14 points and five assists for Las Vegas. Chelsea Gray moved into 13th place in WNBA history for career assists.
Cheyenne Parker scored 15 of her 19 points in the first half for Atlanta . Allisha Gray, coming off back-to-back games with 25-plus points, was held to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. Rhyne Howard struggled on the hardwood, scoring just six points.
The Aces (24-2, .923) are on pace to record the highest winning percentage in league history. Only the 1998 Houston Comets (27-3, .900) won at least 90% of their games.
NEXT UP:
The Aces are on the road for their next 2 games, traveling to New York for a Sunday game, August 6 meeting with the Liberty on ABC that tips at 12 pm PT, and then to Dallas to take on the Wings on Tuesday, August 8 at 5 pm PT.
