The Aces ended their three-game losing streak with a 103-99 road victory over the Mercury. With the victory, the Aces move to 6-5, while the Phoenix Mercury fall to 6-7 for the season.
Desert Dub!#ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/aGvBYyd8I2
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 14, 2024
Aces huge second quarter leads them past Mercury
The Aces struggled to start the game, trailing 28-12 in the first quarter. A’ja Wilson accounted for 10 of the Aces 12 points in the quarter, shooting 5-6. The rest of the team went 0-11 from the field in the quarter, while the Mercury shot 61%.
The Aces responded in the second quarter, shooting 81% from the field and going 10 for 10 from three, outscoring the Mercury 42-23.
Precision beyond the Perimeter ????#ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/mVmnRo2A7k
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 14, 2024
Jackie Young led the way with 21 points, going 6-6 from the field and 5-5 from three in the quarter. Sydney Colson provided an enormous spark off the bench in the quarter, shooting 3-3 from the field and 2-2 from three for 8 points.
Special Agent 0 on a mission ????@JackieYoung3 // #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/UuSagQOUwz
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 14, 2024
A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young combined for 19 of the Aces 21 points in the third quarter, helping the team maintain its lead. Phoenix scored 23 points in the third, reducing the Aces lead to one at 75-74.
Early in the fourth quarter, both teams traded baskets, leading to a thrilling finish. Alysha Clark scored 5 of her 7 points in the closing 2 minutes of the game, including a huge corner three and two critical free throws, to help the Aces maintain their four-point lead with 1:12 left. Griner would trim the Aces lead to two points with 39 seconds remaining, 97-99, but the Aces would get back-to-back defensive stops and make free throws late to help them hang on and win 103–99.
Jackie Young led the Aces with a career-high 34 points, including seven three-pointers. Young shot a perfect 5-5 from the field and 6-6 from three in the second quarter.
Wilson finished with a thirty piece of her own scoring 32 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assist and 2blocks. A’ja Wilson extended her run of games with at least 20 points to 16 games, she also passed Tina Charles with her eighth consecutive game with 25 points. Wilson also moved up to tie for 15th all-time in WNBA blocked shots, with 372.
A’ja Wilson makes history with most consecutive 25-point games
The Mercury were led by Brittney Griner, who had 25 points, 9 rebounds, and two assists. Diana Taurasi scored 22 points and four assists before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
Kahleah Copper, who scored 37 points in the previous game against the Aces, was held to just 18 points on 6-16 shooting from the field and 1-6 from three.
The Aces will return home Saturday for a finals rematch with the Liberty. ABC will broadcast the game, which begins at 12 p.m.
