ATLANTA, GA (May 31, 2024)—The Las Vegas Aces (4-2) led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but the Atlanta Dream (4-2) roared back in the third quarter and held on for the 78-74 victory. Allisha Gray scored a team-high 24 for the Dream, while A’ja Wilson paced the Aces with 28.
Box Score | Highlights | Photo Gallery
First Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 11, Atlanta 10)
The Dream scored the first 7 points of the game, holding the Aces scoreless for the first 3:16 of play. A Kelsey Plum technical free throw ended the drought, and started an 11-1 run for Las Vegas. Wilson went 4 for 9 from the field in the quarter, while the rest of the team went a combined 0 for 10. Wilson’s 8 points led all scorers in the frame. Atlanta made just 4 of 20 shots in the period led by Tina Charles and Rhyne Howard with 3 points apiece.
Second Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 34, Atlanta 28)
Las Vegas opened the second stanza scoring 13 of the first 16 points over the first 3:29. The Dream countered with a 10-2 run to slice the Aces’ advantage to three, 26-23 with 3:54 on the clock. Jackie Young (8 points) and Kelsey Plum (6) combined to score 14 of the Aces 23 points in the period, as Las Vegas connected on 50% of their shots in the second. Atlanta was led by 5 points each from Allisha Gray and Crystal Dangerfield.
Third Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 53, Atlanta 53)
The Aces extended their lead to as many as 12 early in the third. It was still an 11-point Las Vegas lead, 42-31, with 8:05 to go in the quarter, when Atlanta went on a 16-3 run, to take its first lead of the game since it was 7-5 Dream in the first. Alysha Clark’s free throws with 2:25 remaining ended the run. Las Vegas committed 5 turnovers in the period, which the Dream turned into 19 points. Atlanta went 10 for 10 from the free throw line in the quarter, while the Aces made 5 of 6. Wilson scored a high of 10 in the third, while Allisha Gray led the Dream with 9.
Fourth Quarter Highlights (Atlanta 78, Las Vegas 74)
Las Vegas extended its lead to 4 points, 60-56 less than two minutes into the period, when the Dream went on an 11-2 run, giving them a lead they would never relinquish. Allisha Gray scored a high of 10 points in the quarter for Atlanta, while Wilson led the Aces with 6. The Dream went 13 of 15 from the free throw line in the period, while Las Vegas went 5 for 6.
KEY STATS
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Las Vegas made 28.6% of its 3-pointers (6 of 21), while the Dream made 50% of theirs (8 of 16).
The Aces outscored the Dream 30-20 in the paint.
Atlanta made 26 of 29 free throws while Las Vegas went 18 for 20.
The Aces were whistled for 25 fouls, Atlanta 17. The last time the Aces had that many infractions was against Dallas on June 13, 2021.
GAME NOTES
The Aces’ 74 points are the fewest they have scored this season, and their fewest since Washington held them to 62 on August 26, 2023.
Wilson came up 1 rebound shy of her sixth-straight double-double to start the season (28 points, 9 rebounds).
Wilson has scored 25 or more points in 4 of 6 games this season.
Wilson had 4 blocked shots, and now needs 7 to draw even with No. 17 Jessica Breland (367). Wilson has blocked at least 1 shot in 15-straight games, which is the longest active streak in the WNBA. Brittney Griner owns the all-time league record with blocks in 80 straight games, while Margo Dydek has the franchise mark of 36.
The Aces were without the services of Kierstan Bell (lower right leg injury), Chelsea Gray (lower left leg injury) and recently signed guard Tiffany Hayes (not with team).
NEXT UP
Las Vegas heads home for a few days of practice before returning to the road for a Wednesday, June 5, meeting with the Dallas Wings. Tip is slated for 5 pm PT, and the game is being broadcast locally on Fox5 Vegas and the Silver Stats Sports & Entertainment Network..