Palmetto, FL (September 12, 2020)—The Las Vegas Aces (17-4) clinched at least the two seed, and the double bye into the semifinals that comes with it, Saturday afternoon, thanks to an 84-70 win over the Los Angeles Sparks (15-7). The Aces can still finish with the number one seed with a win over Seattle (18-3), Sunday, but with no home court to speak of in the Wubble (in theory), that would merely impact locker rooms, team benches and uniform colors.
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Las Vegas 21, Los Angeles 17)
Neither team led by more than 5 in the quarter.
Second Quarter (Las Vegas 43, Los Angeles 35)
Las Vegas opened the quarter on a 7-2 run, and scored 18 of the first 28 points of the period to lead 39-27 with 3:03 remaining.
Third Quarter (Las Vegas 64, Los Angeles 60)
Las Vegas scored 9 of the first 12 points in the quarter to go up 52-38. They still led by 14, 62-48 with 3:46 remaining in the quarter, but the Sparks scored 10 in a row to slice the Aces; lead to four, 62-58.
Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 84, Los Angeles 70)
Las Vegas led 69-64 with 8:26 to go, but the Aces scored five straight to push the lead back into double figures. The Sparks never got closer than 7 the rest of the way.
KEY STATS
It has been 183 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.
The Aces made 52.5 percent of their shots from the field, while Los Angeles made 37.5 percent of theirs.
The Sparks went 5 for 22 from three-point range while Las Vegas made 5 of 9.
Las Vegas outscored the Sparks 38-30 in the paint
The Aces went 15 for 19 from the free throw line, while Los Angeles made 11 of 12
GAME NOTES
The Aces have won five straight games, and 16 of 18 since starting the season at 1-2.
The Aces are now 14-0 when shooting 50 percent or better from the field over the past two years.
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 21st straight game to start the season, the 29th straight game dating back to last year, and the 77th time in her 80 games as a pro (19 points).
Angel McCoughtry scored in double figures for the 18th game this season, and the 278th time in her career (18 points).
Kayla McBride scored in double figures for the 15th time this season, and the 147th time in her career (17 points).
NEXT OPPONENT
Las Vegas remains on the road this weekend, closing out the year with a Sunday tilt “at” Seattle. Tip on ABC is slated for 3 pm ET/12 pm PT.