LAS VEGAS, NV (August 9, 2022)—The Las Vegas Aces (24-10) moved one game closer to front-running Chicago (25-9), Tuesday night, with a 97-90 victory over visiting Atlanta (14-20). The Sky dropped a 111-100 decision at home to Seattle.
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Las Vegas 28, Atlanta 22)
Neither team led by more than four until the Aces closed the period on a 9-0 run. A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young each scored 11 points in the quarter, and each went 3 for 3 from three-point range. That set a career-high for Wilson for made threes in a game.
Second Quarter (Las Vegas 47, Atlanta 44)
Atlanta opened the frame with an 8-0 run to re-take the lead. Las Vegas rattled off six straight of their own, and although the Dream tied the score on two occasions in the second, the Aces never trailed again before intermission. Dearica Hamby injured her right knee in the quarter, and did not return to the game. Aari McDonald came of the Dream bench to lead all scorers in the quarter with 8 points, as Atlanta held Las Vegas to 37.5 percent shooting in the period.
Third Quarter (Atlanta 65, Las Vegas 62)
Neither tam led by more than five points in the period. The Dream held Las Vegas to 35.3 percent shooting in the quarter while connecting on 53.8 percent of their own shots. Erica Wheeler led all scorers with 9 points.
Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 97, Atlanta 90)
With the score tied at 67, Las Vegas went on an 11-2 run to take their largest lead of the game. The Dream scored nine straight to tie the score, and led briefly, 83-82, with 4:17 to go. A’ja Wilson put the Aces back on top for good with a 14-foot jumper, and Las Vegas went 8 for 8 from the free throw line down the stretch. Kelsey Plum poured in 12 points, and played all 10 minutes of the final stanza. The Aces went 11 for 11 from the free throw line in the fourth.
KEY STATS
It has been 879 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered. Recently, four Louisville Metro Police Department officers were charged by the FBI with federal crimes in relation to her death.
It has been 173 days since Russia’s wrongful detention of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner began.
The Dream made 50.0 percent of their field goal attempts (33 for 66), while the Aces made 47.8 percent (32 for 67).
Las Vegas went 14 for 27 from three-point range, while Atlanta went 9 for 19.
The Aces went 19 for 19 from the free throw line while Atlanta went 15 for 18.
Both teams had 10 turnovers but the Dream scored 18 points of of the Aces’ miscues, while Las Vegas scored just 9 off of Atlanta’s errors.
The Dream bench outscored the Aces’ bench 18-9 (Aari McDonald with 15).
The game featured 16 lead changes and 11 ties.
GAME NOTES
The Aces had four players score 20 or more points which is the fourth time in WNBA history that that has happened.
Kelsey Plum extended her streak of consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer to 41, which is the longest active streak in the WNBA.
Kelsey Plum’s 3 three-pointers give her 105 on the year, extending her franchise single-season record. She now holds the WNBA record for most threes in a season by somebody not named Diana Taurasi. Taurasi holds the league record with 121 three-pointers in a season.
| 1 | Diana Taurasi | 2006 | Phoenix | 121 |
| 2 | Diana Taurasi | 2018 | Phoenix | 106 |
| 3 | Kelsey Plum | 2022 | Las Vegas | 105 |
| 4 | Diana Taurasi | 2017 | Phoenix | 96 |
| 5 | Diana Taurasi | 2007 | Phoenix | 95 |
| 6 | Diana Taurasi | 2022 | Phoenix | 92 |
Chelsea Gray scored in double figures for the 25th time this season and the 162nd time in her career (22 points).
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 32nd time this season and the 140th time in her career (24 points). It was her 19th game with 20 or more points this year (73rd of her career). She connected on a career-high 3 three-pointers, all in the first quarter. Wilson added 14 rebounds for her league-leading 16th double-double of the year, and the 53rd of her career, tying her with Natalie Williams for the franchise record.
Jackie Young scored in double figures for the 29th time this season and the 67th time in her career (20 points). She connected on a career-high 4 three-pointers.
Kelsey Plum scored in double figures for the 33rd time this season and the 97th time in her career (22 points).
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces remain at home for a Thursday, August 11 with the first place Chicago Sky. Tip on MyLVTV is at 7 pm PT at Michelob ULTRA Arena.