The Aces return home for a game against the Atlanta Dream, which has playoff implications. The Atlanta Dream are currently one game behind the Sky for the eighth and final playoff berth; if the Aces win, they will clinch a spot in the postseason.
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???? The House
⌚️ 7:00PM PT
???? @IONWNBA #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/seFP9Lcv5R— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 30, 2024
Aces Dream
These teams have played twice, both in Atlanta, with the Aces winning 84-70 in their most recent meeting in July. A’ja Wilson went off in the game, ending with 33 points, 18 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 3 steals, while Jackie Young scored 19 points on 4-8 from three.
In their other matchup, the Dream defeated the Aces 78-74. The Aces struggled from three, shooting 6-21. A’jaWilson scored a game-high 28 points, but it wasn’t enough. Dream guard Allisha Gray was on fire in this game, shooting 6-7 from three to end with 24 points, while Rhyne Howard scored 16.
Both teams have struggled since their previous meeting; the Dream have won three of their past six games while the Aces have lost four of their last six after the Olympic break. Since the Aces have been out-rebounded in five of their previous six games, the rebounding battle will be very important in this one.
Tina Charles, who is coming off a triple double of 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, is out tonight. Charles absence is a significant blow for the Dream, as she has averaged 18.5 points and 12.8 rebounds in six games since the Olympic break.
Tina Charles checking off some big boxes tonight…
First career triple-double ✅
First in @AtlantaDream history ✅
Only player EVER to record 15+ PTS, 15+ REB, 10+ AST, 4+ STL in game ✅#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/axC5YTrgx2— WNBA (@WNBA) August 29, 2024
A’ja Wilson of the Aces is coming off a 42-point perfomance in a tough loss to the Dallas Wings, shooting 16-22 (72.7%). Wilson now has three 40-point games in her career and just needs one more to tie Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart for four.
Highest FG% in a 40-point game in WNBA history:
77.8% — Kelsey Plum (2023)
77.3% — Liz Cambage (2018)
72.7% — A'ja Wilson (Tonight) pic.twitter.com/XIAfCJTSMv— StatMamba (@StatMamba) August 28, 2024
The Aces defense has been inconsistent lately but tonight is a chance for them to get back on track against the Atlanta Dream, who have the league’s worst offensive rating at 95.2 and average the fewest points per game at 76.1. Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray lead the Dream, both averaging 16 points per game, followed by Tina Charles, who is out tonight but averages 14.6 points.
A player to watch for in this game for the Aces is Chelsea Gray who in these last two games has really started to be more aggressive averaging 13 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 assist and 2 steals. With Gray beginning to regain her form, the Aces will benefit greatly since she is an essential piece of the team on both ends of the ball.
With a win tonight, both the Aces and Seattle can clinch their playoff spots. The Aces are currently just one game behind the Storm in their battle for the fourth spot, while both teams have ten games left to play. They will both play each other one more time on September 17th in a game that could decide the fourth spot.
