Playoff spot clinched as Las Vegas wins 11th straight contest

Las Vegas forward A'ja Wilson makes a post move against Chicago forward Angel Reese. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Aces

A split record 28 games through the regular season is a thing far in the past for the Las Vegas Aces, who have clinched the playoff berth.

While pushing the win streak to 11 straight games, Las Vegas got the better of Chicago, 79-74, Monday, Aug. 25. It was the team’s first meeting of the season against former assistant coach turned head coach Tyler Marsh on a night where former Ace Candace Parker had her No. 3 jersey retired.

“It’s our seventh game in about 14 days,” head coach Becky Hammon said. “So I thought we looked tired, disinterested at times. Just going to try to regroup some energy, try to put a better game in Atlanta together. I mean, the other side had our playbook.”

The season-long win streak has Las Vegas sitting at 25-14 on the year as it slides back in the second spot in the WNBA standings. Entering play, the team was a half game behind Atlanta for that same spot.

A three-game road trip for the Aces will continue Wednesday, Aug. 27 in Atlanta against the Dream. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. in what will be the third regular season meeting of the year with Las Vegas claiming the first two contests.

“It just took time man,” guard Chelsea Gray said. “You don’t want to be playing your best in June, that’s a little scary if you’re playing your best in June.”

Aces guard Chelsea Gray takes a right wing three-pointer that moved her into fifth place all-time on the franchise's made three-pointers list. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Aces

Chicago went up by two points late in the fourth quarter after not leading since early in the game’s opening quarter. From there, Gray drilled a deep three from the top of the key before teammate A’ja Wilson chipped in with a midrange jumper to put Las Vegas up by four points.

Gray’s three pushed her final point total to 14 points to go along with seven assists and four rebounds.

“At the end of games we usually try to find ways to get the ball to A’ja,” she said. “Becky is always like, ‘I’m running this play but it’s always to make a read. They may take it away so you have to do something else.”

Wilson ended the night with 18 points and nine rebounds on a night where she was held to just one made field goal in the first half. After being held to just four points on 1-of-6 from the field, she knocked down two buckets in the first three-plus minutes of the third quarter.

“She’s No. 1 in total points,” Hammon said. “She’s No. 1 in total rebounds. She’s top in every category possible. It’s a little irritating with the narrative. You have to come into this every season with an open mind when you’re [an MVP] voter.

“She’s going to be the greatest player to ever play this game when it’s all said and done. And don’t miss it, she’s in her prime and she’s killing it.”

As a team, the Aces went up by 12 points in the first half before the Sky went on a 9-0 run, ultimately cutting the deficit to two points. A fiery 12-2 close to the first half pushed the lead back to 12 points.

Las Vegas’ lead would be stretched to 14 ahead of another push by the home team, this time in the form of a 15-3 run.

Las Vegas guard Jackie Young looks to run the offense while defended by Chicago guard Rebecca Allen. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Aces

“Just grinded it out,” guard Jackie Young said. “It wasn’t pretty tonight and they kept it close, we knew it was going to be a good game. Obviously, with Ty and Beck. There’s a lot that goes into that.”

Young scored 20 of her 22 points in the first half on 8-of-10 shooting including a 4-for-5 mark from downtown. She did so in her first career outing against Marsh, who both have admitted was influential in the development of the former No. 1 overall pick.

“I think tonight I just came in aggressive,” she said. “I’m super thankful for him, obviously we go back so our relationship is special. To just have a good night tonight felt good because I knew he was going to make it hard on me.

“But it’s just cool to see him in a head coach role after the success we had together.”

Forward NaLyssa Smith was the final player in double-figures with 10 points, three rebounds and two blocks.

Even with the win, the Aces were outrebounded by 18 while being outscored by 10 points in the paint. The frontcourt tandem of Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese combined for 29 points and 27 rebounds.