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The Las Vegas Aces grabbed a resounding win over the Los Angeles Sparks Wednesday night to give them three wins in a row ahead of this year’s All-Star break.
The Aces defeated the Sparks 97-78 at Crypto.com Arena Wednesday, July 12 to improve to 19-2 on the season and continue their dominant play after last Friday’s hiccup in Dallas.
Las Vegas came out strong in the first quarter and immediately took control of the game. Forward A’ja Wilson was the key figure early, scoring 16 points in the opening quarter.
Wilson shot 7-for-8 from the field to start the game and chipped in with five rebounds in the first quarter as well. She finished with 25 points.
Guard Kelsey Plum added 21 points for the Aces while fellow guards Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young combined for 30 points for Las Vegas with 16 and `14 respectively.
.Wilson’s early statement was what got it all started though, helping Las Vegas jump out to a 32-15 lead after one quarter. They would continue their run in the second quarter and finish with a 23-point lead at the end of the half.
The Aces scored more points in the opening quarter than the Sparks managed in the entire first half, a credit to the Aces’ stingy defense and its role in their large runs.
The third quarter wasn’t as smooth.
At the start of the period, Las Vegas allowed two quick buckets. Though their lead wasn’t exactly dwindling, head coach Becky Hammon sensed the team wasn’t locked in. She called a timeout just 1:40 into the second half and got Las Vegas back into form.
The surging Sparks would get as close as 14 points, led by forward Nneka Ogwumike and center Azura Stevens, who ended up with a combined 42 points for Los Angeles.
The Aces were able to recover thought and managed the lead to once again pull away to end the third.
The lead peaked at 29 points in the fourth quarter before the Aces ultimately won, but the third quarter provided a glimpse into the Aces’ mentality toward perfection, and was a sign of their ability to keep their foot on the gas and finish games strong.
Most teams would love a 14-point second-half lead, but for the Aces, there is always more to be gained.
Wilson suggested postgame that the team still isn’t playing their best basketball and that there is a long way to go to reach their true potential.
Hammon echoed that thought, reiterating that until the team claims multiple titles, they have no right to rest on their laurels.
In that same breath, however, Hammon did acknowledge the uniqueness of this year’s Aces team in being one of the most consistently dominant squads she can recall. Las Vegas might not be perfect, but it sure appears to be close.
The win also came without forward Candace Parker, who missed her third consecutive game dealing with a right ankle injury. When it comes to the team’s peak performance, Parker is a key factor in that equation.
No update was given on her status moving forward but the break comes at a good time for Parker to continue to heal.
Next up is the WNBA All-Star Game which will take place on Saturday from Michelob Ultra Arena at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Wilson is a captain for the game facing off against New York LIberty all-star Breanna Stewart.
In a team draft of All-Star players last week Wilson was sure to grab all her fellow Aces as Plum, Gray and Young will all suit up alongside their teammate.
The Aces won’t be back in action until Thursday, July 20 when they head north to take on the Seattle Storm.
Twenty games await Las Vegas on the other side of the break, and if they even play fractionally as well as they did in the first half, they’ll be in a great spot heading into the postseason.