GAME RECAP: Wilson’s 20-Point, 12-Rebound Double-Double Not Enough, As Aces Fall, 77-68, To Sun

Palmetto, FL (September 24, 2020)—Despite a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double from A’ja Wilson, Thursday evening, the Las Vegas Aces now face a win-or-go-home scenario, following their, 77-68, loss to Connecticut in Game 3 of the WNBA Semifinals.

KEY RUNS

First Quarter (Connecticut 19, Las Vegas 18)

Neither team led by more than 4 points in the quarter. The Aces committed 4 turnovers in the period. Sun led 4-0 in second chance points, 4-0 in fast break points, and 4-0 in points off turnovers. There were 5 lead changes and  ties.

Second Quarter (Connecticut 38, Las Vegas 32)

The Sun closed the half on a 6-0 run. Connecticut outscored the Aces 14-2 in points in the paint.

Third Quarter (Las Vegas 56, Connecticut 53)

Connecticut scored the first basket coming out of the locker room, but Las Vegas scored 9 of the next 11.

Fourth Quarter (Connecticut 77, Las Vegas 68)

Las Vegas scored the final three points of the third, and the first four of the fourth to take their largest lead of the evening, 60-53. It was still a seven-point Aces lead, 64-57, with 5:33 to go in the game, but Connecticut closed out the game on a 20-4 run.

KEY STATS

It has been 195 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered.

Connecticut outscored the Aces 24-12 in the fourth quarter, holding Las Vegas to 26.7 percent shooting in the period.

The Sun outscored the Aces 52-26 in the paint. In Tuesday’s Las Vegas win, the Aces outscored Connecticut in the paint, 52-20.

The Aces went 11 for 11 from the free throw line, while Connecticut made 12 of 15

Connecticut outscored the Aces 10-0 in fast break points.

The Sun made 1 of 11 shots from three-point range while the Aces made 5 of 11.

Las Vegas committed 16 turnovers which the Sun flipped into 14 points. Connecticut committed 5 turnovers which the Aces turned into 4 points.

GAME NOTES

A’ja Wilson has scored in double figures in all 25 games this season (22 regular season, 3 postseason).

A’ja Wilson recorded her second career postseason double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds (11 points, 11 rebounds vs. Chicago, September 15, 2019).

Jackie Young handed out a career playoff-high 7 assists.

NEXT OPPONENT

Las Vegas and Connecticut resume their best-of-five WNBA Semifinals series with Game 4 slated for Sunday, September 27. Tip on ESPN2 is at 1 pm ET/10 am PT.