LAS VEGAS (June 15, 2023)—The Las Vegas Aces (9-1) fought through three quarters before pulling away from the Seattle Storm (2-7) in a 96-63 victory Thursday night at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Jackie Young scored a game-high 28 points (12-18 FGs, 4-7 3PT FGs), A’ja Wilson finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the 60th double-double of her career, Kelsey Plum added 19 points and Kierstan Bell scored 12 to tie her career high.
Ezi Magbegor posted team-bests of 23 points and 11 boards for Seattle.
Box Score / Photos / Highlights
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Las Vegas 17, Seattle 17)
The Aces led by as many as 5 early, but for the majority of the quarter there was even less separation between the teams. Turnovers plagued the home side during the first, and Seattle took advantage, scoring 7 points off the Aces’ 7 miscues. Wilson and Jewell Loyd, who finished with 17 points, each had 6 in the frame.
Second Quarter (Las Vegas 47, Seattle 37)
The second quarter saw six lead changes and one tie, however, with Seattle holding a slim 35-33 edge, Plum netted a 3 to put the Aces up for good. That bucket sparked a 14-2 quarter-ending run that was bookended by a Plum driving layup that gave Las Vegas its first double-digit lead of the game, 47-37, with 3.9 seconds on the clock. The Aces committed just 2 turnovers and dished out 9 assists after passing off for 4 dimes in the first 10 minutes of play. Young topped the second quarter scoring with 9 points and Plum had 7.
Third Quarter (Las Vegas 67, Seattle 52)
Seattle cut the gap to as few as 8 points in the third and trailed 59-51 with 3:39 to play. However, the Las Vegas defense held the Storm to 0-of-4 from the field and forced 1 turnover over the next 5 possessions, while its offense wrapped the quarter on an 8-1 spurt for a 15-point lead. at the break. Young hit 5-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-4 from afar, for 12 points.
Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 96, Seattle 63)
Bell, who hit on 5-of-7 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point, scored all 12 of her points in the final stanza.
KEY STATS
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The Aces, who entered the game leading the league in scoring (91.3 ppg.), steals (9.0 spg.) and field goal percentage (49.3%), surpassed those season averages after capping the night with 96 points, 10 steals and 55.7% shooting.
The Aces netted 46.2% of its shots beyond the arc and held Seattle to 37.5% shooting from the field and 21.7% from 3-point.
Las Vegas outrebounded Seattle 37-28.
Las Vegas outscored Seattle 50-30 in the paint and 10-4 on second chance points, while Seattle held a 17-14 advantage in points in transition.
The Aces bench outscored Seattle’s 20-1.
The Aces had 25 assists on 39 field goals, and were led by 9 from Chelsea Gray and 6 from Candace Parker. The 25 ties a season-high for the team.
GAME NOTES
Young’s 28 points tonight are the second-most by a player who did not attempt a free throw in Aces franchise history. Becky Hammon owns the top spot with 30 points versus Phoenix on Aug. 22, 2010.
Wilson scored in double figures for the 34th consecutive regular season game (14 points), which is the third-longest active streak in the WNBA, and the 5th-longest streak in Aces’ franchise history.
Wilson’s double-double was the 60th of her career, which is tied for 18th for all-time WNBA career double-doubles.
The Aces have scored at least 90 points in 8 of their 10 games this season.
The Aces shot 55.7 percent from the field, which is tied for the second highest field goal percentage in a WNBA game this season.
Riquna Williams did not dress for the Aces (lower back).
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces, who play 6 of their next 7 games at home, face Minnesota (2-7) on Sunday, June 18. The game is scheduled for a 6 pm PT tip, and is being broadcast on Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network and NBA TV. ESPN Las Vegas 100.9 FM and 1100 AM also will carry the game, with the pregame show set to begin at 5:30 pm PT.
The Aces prevailed 94-73 in their first contest against Minnesota this season on May 28. Jackie Young scored a game-high 23 points, A’ja Wilson had 21 after hitting 9-of-10 from the line, Chelsea Gray notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists, and Alysha Clark and Kelsey Plum added 11 points apiece. Napheesa Collier scored a team-high 21 points and Jessica Shepard grabbed a game-high 15 caroms for the Lynx.
The Lynx play the Sparks on Friday night before traveling to Las Vegas for the Sunday clash.