A’ja Wilson helped lead the Aces to a 112-100 victory while scoring 53 points to tie Liz Cambage for the most points in WNBA game.
After losing to the Sparks in the previous game, the Aces defeated the Dream 112-100. A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 53 points, Kelsey Plum had 20, Chelsea Gray had 16, and Jackie Young had 12.
Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 27 points, followed by Danielle Robinson with 17 points, Aari McDonald added 11 points.
Rhyne Howard and A’ja Wilson put on a scoring clinic in the first half leading their teams in scoring in a hard fought first half with the Aces leading one. A’ja Wilson had 22 points at the half on 7-13 shooting, while Howard had 21 points on 7-9 shooting. The Aces would pull away in the third quarter, holding the Dream to 4-16 and outscoring the Dream 26-13. Wilson scored 31 of her 53 points in the second half as the Aces continued to feed the hot hand. Chelsea Gray almost had another triple double, ending with 16 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum ended with 20 points and 7 assists. With the 112-100 win agains the Dream the Aces swept the season series.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Aces bounce back
After losing to the Sparks the Aces came out showing the world once again that you do not want to face them after a loss. The Aces defense was huge all night long allowing them to get out in transition forcing 10 turnovers which they turned into 11 points. Cheyenne Parker averaged 19 points per game in three matchups against the Aces but was held to just 6 points. Rhyne Howard was getting to her spots in the first half for the Dream scoring 21 points on 7-9 shooting. In the second half the Aces made adjustments and held Howard to just 6 points.
“I thought we had better attention to detail on Rhyne Howard first of all she had 21 at half and ended with 6,” Hammon said. “We felt like we could do a better job cleaning up some of her coverages and then just being able to play out of our defense and make the main things the main things.”
Aces huge third quarter
The third quarters have been a strong third quarter has been something that the Aces have done really well this season and that would continue against the Dream. The Aces would come out fire on all cylinders, shooting 58% from the field on 10-17 shooting. A’ja Wilson led the way in the third quarter scoring 13 points on 5-6 shooting and blocking 2 shots. Chelsea Gray was big in the third quarter scoring 8 of her 16 points in the quarter. The Aces defense held the Dream to just 4-16 shooting from the field and 1-5 from three.
“In the third quarter we were able to get some separation but I never feel comfortable in this gym,” Hammon said. “Last time we were here we I think. we gave up 53 points in a half so this is a team that makes me a little nervous all the time because they can come at you in waves.”
A’ja Wilson ties record with 53 points
It was another one of those nights for A’ja Wilson, who was on fire from the start, scoring 16 points in the first quarter. Wilson finished the half with 22 points and continued her hot shooting in the second half, scoring 31 points, the second most in a second half this season behind Taurasi’s 32. The 53 points tied Liz Cambage for the most points in a WNBA game with 53 points. Wilson finished the game shooting 16-23 from the field and 20-21 from the free throw line well well only knocking down one three pointer.
“We got her rolling early and obviously she is just a hand full, you kind of have to foul her when she is rolling like that there is no way to get her under control,” Hammon said. “I thought she was really good on the defensive end the rim protection she had 4 blocks she was just everywhere.”
The Aces will travel to Chicago Thursday to take on the Sky with tip off set 5 p.m. PT.
