‘Core Four’ rests as Aces end regular season on high note

Rolling at just the right time, the Las Vegas Aces will be riding high into this year’s postseason.

In the regular season finale, Las Vegas did away with Dallas, 98-84, Thursday, Sept. 19 from the Michelob Ultra Arena. The victory comes after head coach Becky Hammon chose to give her “Core Four” of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray rest ahead of the playoffs.

“I think it was really fun just to have that support,” forward Megan Gustafson said. “I’m not surprised [they were cheering] at all, that’s just who they are as leaders.”

With the win, the Aces have now won nine of their last 10 games to close the regular year. Additionally, Thursday’s win was the first time the reigning back-to-back champions have seen the Wings since blowing a 13-point lead in Texas.

“Whenever you play a team and they’ve beaten you in the past you always want to get that one back,” Gustafson said. “But we also really just wanted to focus on ourselves and put together a good performance before the playoffs.”

Even before the outcome of Thursday’s game, the first round of this year’s WNBA Playoffs was already set with the No. 4 seed Las Vegas set to square off against No. 5 Seattle. That opening round series is set to begin Sunday, Sept. 22 from the Michelob Ultra Arena.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

“Overall, I really like the direction we’re headed at this point in the season,” head coach Becky Hammon said. “If I had to pick a time to play well, it’d be at the end of the season. Not at the beginning or the middle, we want to be playing our best basketball and so far, right now, that’s what it’s looking like.”

While Hammon rested four of her Olympians, the two remaining on the active roster led the way for those missing in action. The Olympic pair of Gustafson and Tiffany Hayes combined for 45 points in the winning effort.

“It’s a luxury,” Hammon said. “This team is probably the most talented team that we’ve had since I’ve been here. The depth, the quality of player from one through 12 is really good.”

Hayes knocked down half of the team’s six made three-pointers in the first quarter on her way to 11 points for the half. She’d finish with a season-high 21 points in 26 minutes played.

“Long journey man,” the previously retired Hayes said. “It’s been fun, it’s been a lot of hard work. They trusted me bringing me in here like Becky always says, ‘Fresh off the beach.’”

Gustafson also had a double-digit first half on her way to a career-high 24 points on a crisp 9-for-16 from the field. Before tonight, her previous season-high was 13 points set last month on the road in Chicago.

“I just have to credit my teammates,” she said. “They were finding me in positions to get me in the paint, obviously made a couple of threes. I just wanted to go in and show that we have a really good bench.”

In total, five players scored in double-figures while everybody who played found the score sheet. Moreover, seven of the eight players who logged minutes hit a three.

Guard Sydney Colson got the start and was a spark plug adding 13 points with three made threes, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. One of her made threes came in dagger fashion as it put the team up 14 with just over two minutes left in regulation.

“She’s silly, she’s hilarious, she’s one of the funniest people I know,” Hammon said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve said this before, ‘Don’t get it twisted, Syd is the adult in the room.’ She knows exactly how and when to turn it on.”

Reigning Sixth Woman of the Year Alysha Clark added 10 points of her own in a starting assignment.

The final Ace in double-figures was third-year pro Kierstan Bell, who reached the accomplishment for the first time this season. She has battled through injuries throughout the season while most recently dealing with an illness.

“She was on her deathbed the other day,” Hammon said. “Was sicker than a dog and to come out and not have played in a live game like that — I thought she was so good.

”Everybody who touched the floor did their part.”

Center Queen Egbo made the most of her minutes with eight points, five rebounds and a block in just over 15 minutes on the floor.

“I’m just proud of each and every person that came into the game today,” Gustafson said. “Whenever anyone was called they were ready to go.”