On Friday, the Aces will face the Atlanta Dream for the second time this season. These two teams previously played on May 31st, with the Dream defeating the Aces 78-74. Allisha Gray led the way for Atlanta, shooting 6-7 from three and scoring 24.
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— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) July 11, 2024
Aces Dream
Both teams have changed dramatically from their previous meeting, with the Dream being 4-2 at the time and now 7-14 and having lost eight of their past 10 games. The Aces were missing Chelsea Gray when the two teams first met, but they were also 4-2 at the time. Since Gray’s return, the Aces have gone 9-2 and currently sit at 14-7, the total opposite of the Dream.
The Dream are going to be without Rhyne Howard who is the second leading scorer on the Dream averaging 15.4 points per game 4.5 rebounds and 3.4 assist per game to go along with 2.2 steals. They are also without Jordin Canada who did not play in the first meeting between these teams.
Aerial Powers was out last game and might be out again this game, which would be a significant loss given her importance in their victory against the Aces. Her energy and spark off the bench energized the Dream crowd, as did her defense, so if Atlanta is without her, it may be significant.
As for the Aces since they have Gray back it will be interesting to see how they match up against the Dream this second time around. In the first matchup they were led by A’ja Wilson with 28 points and 9 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum had 19 points. Jackie Young is someone to keep an eye on as she looks to bounce back after a 4-15 performance in the previous matchup between these teams.
Allisha Gray, the Dream’s player to watch, is coming off a 20-point, 6-rebound effort in her last game. In the last matchup between the Aces, she led the Dream with 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 6-15 from the field and 6-7 from three. It will be critical to slow Gray down in this game, and the Aces must get off to a solid start since they do not want the Dream fans to get into this game like they did in the previous game.
With every game so vital, and the Aces rising up the standings, only two games behind the Lynx for third place, this will be a significant game. The game will be televised on the ION, with tipoff scheduled for 4:30.
