After being held to under 80 points for just the third time this season the Aces responded scoring 98 points against the Lynx.
The Las Vegas Aces improve to 21-2 on the season after defeating the Minnesota Lynx 98-81.
A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 35 points and 14 rebounds, while Jackie Young had 19 points and Kelsey Plum had 16.
Diamond Miler led the Lynx with 17 points, followed by Naphessa Collier finished with 16 points and Kayla McBride with 10 points.
Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson led the charge for the Aces in the first half, outscoring the Lynx 32-30 to propel the Aces to a commanding victory. The Aces win completes a season series sweep of the Lynx in a series where no game was close. The Aces won all four games of the series by an average margin of 23.3 points.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
A’ja Wilson continues to dominate
A’ja Wilson followed up her dominant effort against the Storm with a 35 point, 14 rebound game. This is Wilson’s sixth career 30-point, 10-rebound game which is one short of the WNBA record for most in a player’s first six seasons. Wilson shot 14-17 from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line in an efficient shooting night. Wilson has been playing the center position with Candace Parker out but the results have been the same with her dominating.
“I have not seen a difference in play I feel like I have been playing this position my whole career” Wilson said. “My adjustment is just every single game who is guarding me and things like that so it has not been different”.
Big second quarter
The Aces got off to a fast start leading 11-0 forcing an early timeout from the Lynx. The Aces were only up 5 points entering into the second quarter after leading 11-0 at the start. This is where reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson would be to take over the game. Wilson scored 13 of her 35 points in the quarter on 5-6 shooting. The Aces limited Minnesota to 12 points in the quarter while scoring 25.
“We tightened up not switching as much getting under and I think that helps us keep the ball in front,” Hammon said. “When they decide they want to clamp down defensively they are hard to score against.”
Aces continue to click on both ends
After having to grind out a game in Seattle the Aces bounced back dominating on both ends of the floor. The Aces defense was dominant, forcing 15 turnovers and scoring 25 points off of Lynx turnovers. On the offensive end they dominated as well scoring 98 points on 52% shooting. The ball movement was on full display with the Aces finishing the game with 25 assist. Chelsea Gray set up her teammates all night long with a few no look passes leading the way with 11 assist.
“The way she sees the game is a calming effect,” Hammon said. “There is times where she is dribbling up the court and you know exactly what she sees, she already has a plan in her head.”
The Aces will travel to Chicago for a matchup with the Sky on Tuesday with tip off set 4 p.m. PT.
