GAME RECAP: Aces Move Into First Place Thanks To Record-Setting, Fourth-Quarter Comeback

LAS VEGAS (August 15, 2021)—Las Vegas (16-6) moved into first place atop the WNBA standings Sunday thanks to a record-setting, fourth quarter comeback in an 84-83 victory over visiting Washington (8-11). The Aces trailed by as many as 21 in the game, and by 14 at the end of the third quarter, but outscored the Mystics 29-14 in the final stanza. A’ja Wilson poured in 10 points in the period, while Liz Cambage added 9, and Chelsea Gray dished out 5 of her game-high 11 assists.

Box Score/Video Highlights

KEY RUNS

First Quarter (Washington 27, Las Vegas 15)

Washington led by one, 7-6, and scored 18 of the next 24 points to build their biggest lead of the quarter, 25-12. The Mystics made 55.6 percent of their field goal attempts in the quarter.

Second Quarter (Washington 50, Las Vegas 35)

A 9-0 run mid way through the quarter helped Washington turn a 10-point lead into a 19-point advantage. The Aces scored the final 6 points of the period to slice the advantage to 15.

Third Quarter (Washington 69, Las Vegas 55)

Washington’s lead vacillated between 12 and 21, but the Aces scored 5 straight to close the quarter.

Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 84, Washington 83)

After closing out the third quarter scoring 5 straight points, the Aces scored the first 8 in the fourth to close the gap to six, 69-63. After cutting the lead to four with 5:27 to go, Las Vegas didn’t scoot any closer until the clock ticked under the one minute mark. With 55.9 seconds remaining, Jackie Young drained a pull up jumper and drew the foul to make it 81-80. Natasha Cloud connected on a driving hook on the Mystics next possession, and drew contact, but missed the subsequent free throw. Wilson’s jumper made it one-point game again, and after a travel call on Myisha Hines-Allen, Gray’s game-winning, step-back jumper fluttered through the net with four second on the clock. Ariel Atkins hoisted a three that missed the mark as time expired.

KEY STATS

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Las Vegas made 57.9 percent of its field goal attempts in the fourth quarter and went 7 for 9 from the free throw line, while Washington made 37.5 percent and went 0 for 1 from the charity stripe.

The Mystics made 10 of 29 shots from three-point range, while the Aces went 3 for 10.

The Aces went 15 for 21 from the free throw line, while the Mystics made 7 of 9.

Las Vegas outscored Washington 38-28 in points in the paint.

GAME NOTES

A’ja Wilson has scored in double figures in 52 consecutive regular season games dating back to the 2019 season (20 points). She has scored in double figures 100 times in her 103-game career. Wilson added 14 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the season and the 31st of her career.

Jackie Young scored in double figures for the 15th time this season and the 34th time in her career (14 points).

Liz Cambage scored in double figures for the 19th time this season and the 117th time in her career (17 points).

The Aces fourth quarter comeback was the largest in franchise history. The previous record was a 13-point comeback vs. Indiana on July 5, 2014.

The Aces 21-point comeback was the second largest in franchise history. The largest is a 22-point comeback at Phoenix on August 20, 1999 when the team was located in Utah.

NEXT OPPONENT

The Aces and Mystics tangle again on Tuesday, August 17 at 7 pm PT at Michelob ULTRA Arena on MyLVTV and CBS Sports Network.