Palmetto, FL (September 10, 2020)—The Aces big three starters of Angel McCoughtry (22), Kayla McBride (21) and A’ja Wilson (20) combined to score 63 points Thursday evening, moving the team one step closer to clinching a top two seed in the WNBA playoffs with a 104-89 victory over the Minnesota Lynx (13-8). With the win, Las Vegas (16-4) can now finish no lower than third, and with wins in its last two games —at Los Angeles (15-6), Saturday, and at Seattle (17-3), Sunday—would finish with the top seed.

KEY RUNS

First Quarter (Minnesota 29, Las Vegas 25)

The Lynx led, 15-12, but Las Vegas scored 10 straight to go up seven, 22-15. Minnesota scored 14 of the final 17 points of the period.

Second Quarter (Las Vegas 56, Minnesota 54)

Minnesota built a six-point lead early in the second, 35-29, but the Aces went on a 17-4 run to go up seven, 46-39.

Third Quarter (Las Vegas 81, Minnesota 69)

It was just a one-point Aces lead, 58-57, early in the third, but Las Vegas scored eight straight to go up nine, 66-57. It was still a five-point Las Vegas’ advantage with 3:04 remaining in the quarter, when the Aces scored nine straight to lead, 79-65.

Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 104, Minnesota 89)

Las Vegas scored nine straight points beginning at the 9:19 mark to out the game effectively put of reach, 94-73.

KEY STATS

It has been 181 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.

Las Vegas outscored the Lynx 46-38 in the paint

The Aces went 20 for 23 the free throw line, while Minnesota made 13 of 14

Las Vegas outscored the Lynx 11-5 in fastbreak points.

GAME NOTES

The Aces 104 points are the most the team has scored since moving to Las Vegas three years ago.

The Aces 10 made threes are the most the team has made since moving to Las Vegas three years ago.

Las Vegas is 9-0 this season in games decided by  10 or more points.

Kayla McBride’s five made threes are the most by a member of the Aces this season.

A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 20th straight game to start the season, the 28th straight game dating back to last year, and the 76th time in her 79 games as a pro (20 points). It was also her 14th game scoring 20 or more points this year, and the 39th of her career.

Angel McCoughtry scored in double figures for the 17th game this season, and the 277th time in her career (22 points).

Kayla McBride scored in double figures for the 14th time this season, and the 146th time in her career (21 points).

Jackie Young scored in double figures for the 12th time this season and the 19th time in her career (17 points).

Danielle Robinson scored in double figures for the 5th time this season and the 127th time in her career (12 points).

NEXT OPPONENT

Las Vegas remains on the road this weekend, closing out the year with games “at” Los Angeles on Saturday, September 12, and at Seattle on Sunday, September 13.