LAS VEGAS (May 10, 2022)—Las Vegas (2-1) had its sights set on a a third straight win to open the season, but the Washington Mystics (3-0) won this battle of the unbeatens, 89-76, by outscoring the Aces 51-27 after the intermission.
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Las Vegas 26, Washington 13)
Las Vegas led 13-11 with 3:54 to go, but the Aces scored 13 straight to go up 15, 26-11.
Second Quarter (Las Vegas 49, Washington 36)
Washington scored the final 2 points of the first quarter and the first 7 of the second to close the lead to 26-20. The Aces scored 15 of the next 22 points to push their lead back to 14, 41-27. Las Vegas shot 57.6 percent in the first half.
Third Quarter (Washington 60, Las Vegas 56)
Washington opened the second half on a 22-5 run to take a 58-54 lead.
Fourth Quarter (Washington 89, Las Vegas 76)
The Mystics opened the fourth on a 14-4 run, and led by as many as 17 points.
KEY STATS
It has been 788 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.
Las Vegas made 57.6 percent of its shots from the field in the first half, but just 25.0 percent in the second half. The Mystics shot 38.5 percent from the field before the break, but 51.4 percent after.
The Mystics out-rebounded the Aces 38-34.
Washington outscored Las Vegas 36-28 in the paint.
The Mystics bench outscored the Aces’ 27-13.
Washington committed 9 turnovers which Las Vegas flipped into 8 points, while the Aces were forced into 16 miscues which the Mystics turned into 19 points.
GAME NOTES
Kiah Stokes was not with the Aces as she is still completing her overseas commitments.
Riquna Williams did not play (right foot)
Dearica Hamby scored in double figures for the 5th straight game and the 100th time in her career (14 points).
A’ja Wilson recorded her 3rd double-double of the season (10 points, 11 rebounds), and the 40th of her career. That ranks 3rd on the Aces’ franchise list—Natalie Williams (Utah, 53), Margo Dydek (Utah, San Antonio, 41).
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 3rd time this season and the 111th time in her 116-game career (10 points).
Jackie Young scored in double figures for the 5th straight game and the 43rd time in her career (19 points).
Kelsey Plum scored in double figures for the 10th straight game and the 67th time in her career (18 points).
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces remain on the road this week traveling to Atlanta for a Friday, May 13 tip against the Dream at 4:30 pm PT.