LAS VEGAS (June 25, 2022)—Las Vegas (13-4) used a Jackie Young three-pointer with 7.7 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, but the Washington Mystics (12-9) outscored the Aces 7-6 in the extra period to secure the 87-86 victory.
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Las Vegas 22, Washington 20)
Neither team led by more than 4 points. Kelsey Plum (9 points) and Chelsea Gray (6) combined to go 5 of 7 from the field for 15 points in the quarter.
Second Quarter (Washington 46, Las Vegas 40)
The Aces scored the first 5 points of the period to go up 7, 27-20. Washington scored 14 of the next 18 points to re-take the lead. Tied at 38, the Mystics scored 8 of the final 10 points of the half.
Third Quarter (Washington 63, Las Vegas 60)
Washington’s lead vacillated between 1 and 7 points throughout the quarter.
Fourth Quarter (Washington 80, Las Vegas 80)
Washington led by as many as 6 in the period. The Aces tied the score on two occasions including with 7.7 seconds left, on a Jackie Young three-pointer, to send the game into overtime.
First Overtime (Washington 80, Las Vegas 80)
The Mystics scored the first 4 points of overtime. The Aces cut the lead to 1 on two occasions, but were never able to re-take the lead. Neither team shot well in the extra period with the Aces making 2 of 10 shots and the Mystics going 1 for 6. Washington’s Natasha Cloud went 5 of 6 from the free throw line, though, to secure the win.
KEY STATS
It has been 834 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.
The Mystics made 47.1 percent of their shots compared to 38.3 percent for the Aces.
Las Vegas outscored the Mystics 12-2 in second chance points.
The Aces outscored Washington 18-10 in fast break points.
Las Vegas recorded 17 steals compared to 10 for Washington
GAME NOTES
Riquna Williams missed the game with a left foot strain.
The Aces lost back- to-back games for the first time this season.
Aces 2021 first round draft pick Iliana Rupert saw her first WNBA action, checking in with 3:04 remaining in the first quarter. She scored her first career points on a lay up with 6:36 to go in the second quarter
The Aces 13-4 start is tied for the best 17-game start in franchise history (2020 and 2021).
The Aces collected 17 steals on the night. That is the most for the team since moving to Las Vegas.
Kelsey Plum scored in double figures for the 24th straight game and the 81st time in her career (20 points). She also connected on 5 three-pointer, making it 24 straight games in which she has connected on at least one from long distance—the longest active streak in the league. She also collected a career-high 6 steals.
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 15th time this season and the 123rd time in her career (17 points). She added 14 rebounds for her league-leading 9th double-double of the season, and the 46th of her career.
Jackie Young scored in double figures for the 14th time this season, and the 54th time in her career (20 points). It was also her 7th game this year with 20 or more points and the 13th of her career. She also played a career-high 41:21.
Chelsea Gray scored in double figures for the 14th time this season, and the 151st time in her career (12 points). She added a season-high 5 steals, and played a season-high 39:56.
Dearica Hamby recorded a season-high 4 steals.
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces are packing for a seven-day, four-game road trip over the next week, beginning with a Monday, June 7 tilt in Los Angeles. Tip time against the Sparks is 7:30 pm on My LVTV.