The Las Vegas Aces put their league-best 9-game winning streak on the line, Friday, as they travel to Dallas to take on the Wings for the second time in as many games. Tip at College Park Center is slated for 5 pm PT, and the game is being televised nationally on ION and broadcast across the Las Vegas radio-waves on KRLV 98.9 FM/1340 AM.

• Game Notes

An Aces win over the Wings, or a loss by Minnesota Friday at home against Phoenix, would clinch the Western Conference slot in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game for Las Vegas. The Aces would also host the game on Tuesday, August 15 at an as-yet-to-be-determined time.

Las Vegas improved to 16-1 on the season Wednesday evening in an 89-82 come-from-behind victory over Dallas at Michelob ULTRA Arena. That ran the team’s home winning streak to 15 games, which is tied for the 8th longest streak in WNBA history. The Los Angele Sparks own the league record with 28-straight wins from July 14, 2000 through June 27, 2022.

The Aces dug themselves a 14-point first-quarter hole Wednesday, but outscored Dallas 49-31 after halftime to secure the win. Jackie Young led Las Vegas with 28 points, while A’ja Wilson added a 23-point, 13-rebound double-double.

It was just the 4th time in 17 games this year that the Aces have been held under 90 points. They are averaging a league-leading 93.4 points per game, which is just off the 2010 Phoenix Mercury’s WNBA record of 93.9.

Las Vegas is on pace to shatter several other league marks this season, including largest scoring differential (+15.1—Houston Comets, 2000, +12.8), field goal percentage (.504—Chicago Sky, 2020, .491), 2-point field goal percentage (.565—Chicago Sky, 2020, .557), and winning percentage (.941—Houston Comets, 1998, .900).

The Aces are also looking to become just the 8th team in WNBA history to lead the league in offensive (1st, 113.7) and defensive efficiency (2nd, 94.9) in the same season. Of those previous seven teams, six won the WNBA Championship, as have all 5 of the previous teams who have finished the year with a scoring differential of +10.0 or better.

Las Vegas’ five starters are each in possession of an Olympic gold medal, and many are calling them the best starting five in WNBA history. A’ja Wilson is gunning for her 3rd M’VP award, and averaging 19.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while making a career-high 52.0 percent of her shots from the field, and blocking 2.1 shots per game.

Jackie Young has gone from the 2022 Most Improved Player to an MVP candidate, as she is sporting career highs in scoring (19.5 ppg), field goal percentage (.575), 3-point field goal percentage (.481) and 2-point field goal percentage (.633).

Kelsey Plum is following up her 2022 All-Star campaign by averaging 17.6 points per game, while making a career-high 48.0 percent of her shots from the field, and 57.1 percent from 2-point range.

The Point Gawd, Chelsea Gray, continues to reinvent the position as she is connecting on 50.3 percent of her field goal attempts, 45.0 percent of her three balls, and 97.1 percent from the charity stripe. Should she maintain those percentages, and qualify for league rankings in each category, she will join Elena Delle Donne as the only players in WNBA history in the 50-40-90 club.

Last, but certainly not least, is two-time WNBA Champion and two-time MVP Candace Parker, who as an offseason free agent acquisition has seamlessly blended with Las Vegas’ starters. Although the future Hall-of-Famer is not called upon to shoot as much as she did during the first 15 years of her career, her shooting slash line of .467/.333/.885 is her best since the 2020 season, and she is still averaging 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

The Wings are 8-9 on the year following Wednesday’s loss, and boast the 6th most efficient offense (101.5) and defense (100.4) in the league. Although they don’t shoot the ball particularly well, they are the best offensive rebounding team in the WNBA (.348), and lead the league in second chance points (14.0 per game).

Satou Sabally has been their most effective player to date as the 25-year-old is averaging career highs in scoring (18.5 ppg), rebounding (9.8), assists (3.4), and steals (1.4). She scored 9 points in 18 minutes against the Aces Wednesday, but did not play in the second half due to an illness.

Arike Ogunbowale leads Dallas in scoring at 21.5 points per game, but her shooting percentages are among some of the lowest of her career (.385 FG%, .304 3pt FG%). Las Vegas held her to 5 of 20 from the floor and 2 of 9 from distance Wednesday night, and kept her off the free throw line entirely.

Natasha Howard led all scorers against the Aces with 32 points to go along with 13 rebounds. She is averaging 17.5 points and 8.0 boards per game, but is also struggling somewhat from the field as her .438 field goal percentage and .288 3-point field goal percentage are her lowest in at least 6 years.

The Aces are 37-34 all-time against the Wings, and have won 11 of the past 12 meetings between the two clubs.