Minnesota Lynx Crushes Las Vegas Aces with a Resounding Victory
In a demonstration of power on the court, the Minnesota Lynx defeated the Las Vegas Aces with a final score of 109-78, extending their home winning streak to 14 consecutive games. The match, played on Friday night, made the Lynx’s dominance clear from the start.
Napheesa Collier led the offense with 25 points, while Courtney Williams contributed an additional 23 points. Williams stood out with impressive efficiency, hitting 10 of 12 field goals, including 3 of 4 three-pointers. Collier, for her part, scored 7 of 12 shots and converted 10 of 13 free throws, in addition to grabbing nine rebounds. This was Collier’s 16th game of the season where she surpassed 20 points, the most in the WNBA.
Bridget Carleton scored 14 points, Kayla McBride scored 13, and Jessica Shepard achieved a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. With this victory, the Lynx (22-4) added their fourth consecutive win overall. The 109 points scored tied the season record in the WNBA.
The Minnesota team demonstrated its superiority from the start, leading 51-35 at halftime and accumulating 34 points in the third quarter to enter the final period with an 85-61 lead. The Lynx showcased outstanding three-point shooting efficiency (9 of 20 in the first three quarters) and made 22 free throws out of 31 attempts. In the third quarter, they set a record by shooting 23 free throws, tying for the third-most in a quarter since the WNBA implemented quarters in 2006. They finished the game with 54% field goal efficiency and 10 of 25 in three-pointers.
With four minutes remaining in the final quarter, the Lynx had already surpassed 100 points. Anastasiia Olairi Kosu closed the scoring with consecutive baskets in the final minute, establishing Minnesota’s largest lead of the night.
The Las Vegas Aces, playing on the road for the second consecutive night, shot 38% from the field. A’ja Wilson led the Aces (12-13) with 15 points, and Jackie Young added 14.
Aces’ Jewell Loyd did not score any points, the second time this has happened in her career, breaking a streak of 202 consecutive games with at least one point since July 19, 2019.
A Chelsea Gray three gave Las Vegas a 14-12 lead, before Minnesota finished the first quarter with a 15-4 run. Carleton scored two three-pointers in that period, and Collier contributed five points.
Williams, McBride, and Collier hit three-pointers at the end of the second quarter, solidifying the Lynx’s lead with a score of 51-35 at halftime.
