ARLINGTON, TX (July 7, 2023)—The Las Vegas Aces had their 9-game winning streak snapped Friday evening, as the Dallas Wings erased an 11-point third quarter deficit to hand the Las Vegas its second loss of the season, 80-78.
The Aces (16-2) brought the most efficient offense in WNBA history into the game, but were able to score only 12 points in the 4th quarter, and turned the ball over 18 times on the night.
Arike Ogunbowale scored a game-high 21 points for Dallas (9-9), and Tearia McCowan (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Natasha Howard (16 and 11) each posted double-doubles. Kelsey Plum led Las Vegas with 21 points, and A’ja Wilson added 18.
Box Score | Photos | Highlights
KEY RUNS
First Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 25, Dallas 23)
Dallas jumped out to an early 7-point lead, 14-7, as the Aces committed 4 turnovers on their first 8 possessions. Plum scored 5 of Las Vegas’ next 7 points as they tied the score at 14 with 4:37 to go. Jackie Young and Wilson each scored 8 points to lead all scorers. Dallas outscored Las Vegas 12-6 in the paint.
Second Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 40, Dallas 39)
Neither team led by more than 5 points in the quarter. Las Vegas made just 5 of 13 shots from the field (.385), including 2 of 7 from distance, and turned the ball over 5 times, while the Wings made 7 of 16 shots from the floor (.438), including 1 of 7 from 3-point range, and committed 6 miscues. Ogunbowale was 4 of 8 from the field for Dallas for 10 points.
Third Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 66, Dallas 60)
The Wings scored the first 4 points out of the intermission, but Las Vegas countered by going on a 17-4 run, including a stretch where they scored 10 straight, to lead by 10, 57-47. A Young 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining in the period gave the Aces their largest lead at 11, 64-53. Dallas scored 7 of the final 9 points of the quarter to cut the advantage to 6. Plum was perfect from the field (2-2 FG, 1-1 3G, 3-3 FT) for 8 points. The Wings shot 9 of 11 from the field in the period, but Las Vegas scored 11 points off of 6 Dallas turnovers.
Fourth Quarter Highlights (Dallas 80, Las Vegas 78)
Las Vegas still led by 6 with 8:23 on the clock, but Dallas scored 8-straight points to regain the lead. There were 2 ties and 2 lead changes down the stretch, but over the final 2:30, the Aces committed 3 turnovers and gave up 5 offensive rebounds.
KEY STATS
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The Aces scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, and over the last 2:30 of the game, gave up 5 offensive rebounds and committed 3 turnovers.
The Wings outscored the Aces 46-22 in the paint, and 16-7 in second chance points.
Dallas recorded 13 steals to Las Vegas’ 7.
Las Vegas made 10 of 26 shots from 3-point range, while the Wings made 3 of 14 from distance.
GAME NOTES
Las Vegas had its 9-game winning streak snapped which was the third-longest in franchise history.
All 5 member of the Aces scored in double figures, but none of the team’s reserves dented the scoring column.
Dallas starters also each scored in double figures, with the Wings bench netting just 5 points.
The 5 combined points by reserves is tied for the 2nd fewest points by reserves in a game in WNBA history (4, Minnesota vs Phoenix, June 5, 2007)
Las Vegas has scored 90+ points in all but 5 games this season, and hasn’t reached that mark in 2 straight games, both against Dallas.
The Aces 12 points in the 4th quarter are tied for the fewest the team has scored in a quarter this season—June 21, 4th quarter at Phoenix
Wilson has played in 116-straight games, which is the longest active streak in the W
Riquna Williams (lower back) did not play for the Aces.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces remain on the road this weekend, traveling to Minnesota, Sunday, for a 4 pm PT tip against the Lynx.
Las Vegas upended Minnesota in their initial meeting this year, 94-73, at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Aces’ defense held Minnesota to 36.6 percent shooting from the field, while Jackie Young (23 points) and Aja Wilson (21) led 5 Aces in double figures.
After starting the season with 7 straight losses, the Lynx have won 9 of 12, and 5 in a row. Napheesa Collier is averaging 23.6 points and 9.4 rebounds over Minnesota’s last 12 contests. Diamond Miller (14.6 ppg), and Kayla McBride (13.0 ppg) are also scoring in double figures during that stretch.