Las Vegas dominates on both ends of double-digit win over Chicago

Las Vegas all-stars A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young acknowledge each other during the team's 14-point win over Chicago. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Aces

A new franchise-record for the most consecutive wins has been set for the Las Vegas Aces.

For the second time in the last two weeks, Las Vegas walloped Chicago, this time by a final score of 80-66 from the T-Mobile Arena Sunday, Sept. 7. 

“If you’re between those lines, we’re playing hard and we’re being coached,” head coach Becky Hammon said. “The score does not matter, even against our buddy [Tyler Marsh] over there. We just have to be about getting better every time.”

Overall, the Aces now rock a 28-14 record with two more regular season games left to play. After entering Sunday a half game back of second place which was held by the Atlanta Dream. Now, Las Vegas has reclaimed the spot as the regular season winds down.

Another meeting with the Sky looms ahead as the Aces prepare for their regular season home finale. That contest is set for Tuesday night from the T-Mobile Arena with tip-off set for 7 p.m.

“Now is the time we’re really trying to push and squeeze everything we can out,” Hammon said. “We’re still getting better – it’s always a constant pursuit to get better.” 

Not sure the start could’ve been any better for Las Vegas on both ends of its most recent win, jumping out to an 11-0 start. In the first quarter, Chicago was held to 15 points on 6-of-18 from the field while committing nine turnovers.

Aces forward A'ja Wilson drives past Sky center Kamilla Cardoso inside the T-Mobile Arena. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Aces

On those nine turnovers, the Aces scored 10 points on the other end. In total, the Sky were forced 19 turnovers while giving up 22 points off them in addition to 24 fast break points.

Las Vegas led by as many as 25 points in a game where it never trailed. The defense was crisp to the tune of 12 steals and six blocks. As a result of the lockdown defense, Chicago were held to 40% shooting including a 30%-mark from three-point range.

“We are executing our schemes at a higher level,” Hammon said. “If there’s 10 times, we’re doing it right 8 [or] 9 times. That’s the ratio we wanted not we’re doing it wrong 8 or 9 out of 10 times.”

The overall performance for the Aces landed the team the win despite losing the rebounding battle, 40-28.

Chicago forward Angel Reese was suspended for the first half by her team following “comments detrimental to the team.” After serving her suspension, she was held out the remainder of the game citing her back according to the team.

Forward A'ja Wilson took advantage of the missing piece in the paint for the opposition on her way to 31 points on 12-of-20 from the floor. That marked her fifth straight 30-point game while tallying her 13th 30-point game of the season which is a new WNBA single-season record.

Las Vegas guard Jackie Young runs the floor while looking for an open teammate. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Aces

While getting what she wanted on the offensive end, Wilson added 11 rebounds, four steals and three blocks to go along with her monster scoring night.

“I start to run out of adjectives that describe her,” Hammon said. “Some players in this league are like a deer right? They’re quick, they’re nimble, they’re very agile. You’ve got lions, who are – they can just physically dominate you. She’s the only person in the gym, in the world that is both lion and gazelle. She’s both, she can dance around you or she can eat you up physically.”

Guard Jackie Young flirted with a double-double of her own with 20 points and nine assists on a very efficient 8-for-14 from the floor.

“Jack’s been great all year,” Hammon said. “She has to be on some of these All-WNBA teams. She’s a huge part of the motor that makes us go.”

Fellow guard Chelsea Gray was the final player in double-figures with 13 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists.

Las Vegas shot 46% from the field on the night including a 10-for-34 finishing mark from beyond the arc. Eight of those 10 three-point makes came in the second half.

Forward Megan Gustafson got the start after fellow forward NaLyssa Smith (concussion) and recorded four points and two rebounds in 17 minutes.

“We like her size obviously but her ability to step out gives A’ja some more space in there,” Hammon said. “You can’t cheat off her too much. She missed tonight but just the threat of her three makes you step out two more feet towards her.”