On Thursday, The Las Vegas Aces will play their fifth and final Commissioner’s Cup game against the Phoenix Mercury. The game will be televised on Prime Video starting at 7pm.
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— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 12, 2024
The Phoenix Mercury enter this game 6-6 on a two-game winning streak, while the Aces are 5-5 on a three-game losing streak. This is the first time the Aces have lost three consecutive games since August 2019, and another loss would make it the first time they have lost four in a row since the 2018 season.
Keys to watch in the game
One of the most important news stories to follow heading into this game is the potential return of Aces point guard Chelsea Gray, who has yet to play this season due to a lower leg injury. Gray was upgraded from out to questionable after being ruled out for the first 10 games.
Britney Griner missed the previous two games, but made her regular season debut on June 7th against the Minnesota Lynx. Since Griner’s return, the Mercury have won both games, with the most recent game going to double OT and Griner recording 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
This is why we say #ValleyTogether. It takes EVERYONE pic.twitter.com/6bBgthTDPz
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 10, 2024
The Aces will also try to slow down Kahleah Copper, who scored 37 points on 65% shooting in their previous meeting. Copper has been on a roll this season, averaging 24 points per game and shooting 39% from three.
As for the Aces, getting their backcourt going will be crucial in this game, as Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young struggled last game, shooting a combined 7-21 from the field and 3-15 from three. Tiffany Hayes, a free agency signee, has been a significant contributor to this backcourt, scoring 10.8 points per game and ranking as the second highest reserve.
The Aces lost their most recent game to the Phoenix, 98-88, but had previously won their last 10 games against the Mercury. Will the Aces get back to their winning ways and will Chelsea Gray return will be the two biggest questions heading into this matchup.
