Las Vegas Aces: Absolute Domination on the Road to the WNBA Playoffs
The Las Vegas Aces are preparing for the WNBA playoffs with an impressive streak of 16 consecutive wins, the longest to close out the regular season in league history. The Las Vegas team secured the second seed in the postseason after defeating Los Angeles with a score of 103-75 on Thursday, finishing the regular season with a 30-14 record. The Aces will host the seventh-seeded Seattle Storm in the first game of the series on Sunday. In Thursday’s game, the Aces set a new WNBA record with 22 three-pointers, highlighting the performances of Jewell Loyd, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and A’ja Wilson. A’ja Wilson, in her quest for her fourth MVP award, shined with 23 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks against the Sparks. Wilson averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, becoming the first player in league history to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in multiple seasons. The Aces’ winning streak, which began after a loss to the Minnesota Lynx, equals the second-longest streak in WNBA history, surpassed only by the Sparks’ 18-game winning streak in 2001.Hammon highlighted the importance of ball movement in the team’s success, which allowed them to get open shots and record 35 assists in the game. Jackie Young, who wore an “M’VP” hat in honor of Wilson after the game, commented on the team’s mentality during the winning streak.This is a special group, a group that had to find their way together. There have been many really good teams in this league.
Becky Hammon, Aces coach
Everyone is playing very unselfishly. The coach talks a lot about ‘good to great’. You might have a good shot. You pass one more time, and your teammate might have a great shot. We’re having fun, playing with a lot of energy and at the pace we want to play.
Jackie Young, Aces player
