LAS  VEGAS (June 16, 2019)—The Las Vegas Aces (3-3) are once again trying to pull themselves over the .500 mark, as the team travels to Minnesota Sunday for a 4 pm PT start against the four-time WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx (4-4). The last time the Aces were over .500 this late in the season was back in 2014 when they were the San Antonio Stars (Watch Coach Raimon’s Video Scout).

The Aces boast the best defense in the WNBA this season, leading the league in defensive efficiency (90.9), opponent field goal percentage (.374), opponent adjusted field goal percentage (.417), and defensive rebound percentage (.797).

Offensively, Las Vegas is led by two-time WNBA All-Star Kayla McBride, who is averaging 17.3 points per game, while connecting on 53.0 percent of her field goal attempts, 55.6 percent of her three-pointers, and 96.0 percent of her free throws. Last year’s WNBA MVP runner up, Liz Cambage, is averaging 15.2 points and 6.0 rebounds  per game in just 17.7 minutes of action. 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year A’ja Wilson is chipping in with 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Minnesota won its first three games of the year, but has since dropped four of its last five including three straight. All four of their losses are by seven points or less.

Sylvia Fowles paces the Lynx’ offense, averaging 15.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Minnesota has three other double-figure scorers in Odyssey  Sims (13.5), Napheesa Collier (11.5) and Lexie Brown (10.0).  Defensively, the Lynx have been most effective outside the arc, holding opponents to 28.6  percent shooting.

Las Vegas snapped a 12-game losing streak to Minnesota last season, beating the Lynx 85-77 at Target Center on July 13. Minnesota took the season series from the Aces, though, winning two of three.