LAS VEGAS (June 1, 2023) – The 2022 WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces (4-0) look to keep their season-opening winning streak going this Friday, June 2 when they take on the Atlanta Dream (2-2) beginning at 5:00 pm PT. The game is the first in a four-game road trip for Las Vegas, and is being broadcast nationally on ION. The Aces own an 18-17 regular season record over Atlanta, and are 8-2 over the past 10 meetings between clubs.
Las Vegas recently became the first club to open a season by scoring at least 90 points in its first four games, and is leading the league in scoring (96.5 ppg.), rebounding (40.3 rpg.), blocks (7.3 bpg.), steals (9.8 spg.), field goal percentage (.493), 3-pointers made (44) and 3-point field goal percentage (.393), while ranking second in assists (22.5 apg.) and tied for second in free throw percentage (.838).
Associated Press WNBA Player of the Week Jackie Young is averaging 23.0 ppg., which currently ranks 4th among league leaders. A’ja Wilson’s 19.0 ppg. ranks eighth and Kelsey Plum’s 15.5 ppg. is 17th. Wilson is tied for 5th in the W in rebounding (9.3 rpg), while Chelsea Gray ranks second in assists at 7.8 apg.
The Dream are led offensively by Rhyne Howard’s 17.8 ppg.; Allisha Gray’s 17.0 ppg., 6.3 rpg. and 3.3 apg; and Cheyenne Parker’s 15.3 ppg. Atlanta acquired Allisha Gray in a trade from Dallas in the offseason.
Game Status Report: Riquna Williams is out due to injury (lower back).
Last time out: The Aces prevailed, 97-90, at home over the Dream on August 9, 2022. Four Aces scored at least 20 points. Wilson led all scorers with 24 points to go with 14 rebounds, Plum scored 12 of her 22 points in the fourth quarter and dished out 8 assists, Chelsea Gray tallied 22 points and 6 assists, and Young finished with 20 points. Of the six Atlanta players who put up between 10-17 points each, three are still on the roster—Howard (14 points), Parker (14) and Naz Hillmon (10).
In a tight game that featured 16 lead changes and 11 knotted scores, neither team held a double-digit lead. Trailing 65-63 heading into the final period, the Aces took the lead for good with a Wilson jumper with 4:01 to play to bring the score to 84-83. Las Vegas held Atlanta at bay over the next few minutes and with Aces up 93-90 with time running out, Atlanta was forced to foul to stop the clock. Chelsea Gray hit all 4 of her free throw attempts in the final 21 seconds as the Aces closed with the 97-90 victory.