The Aces dominated the Mercury from start to finish, winning 97-79. With the win, the Aces move to 20-12, and with Seattle’s loss earlier today, they have a one-game lead over the Storm for fourth place.
The Las Vegas Aces take an authoritative 97-79 dub over the Phoenix Mercury ????
A'ja Wilson put on an absolute clinic dropping 41 PTS & 17 REB on 16-23 FG!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/ZuzUZPPgMz
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 1, 2024
Aces Mercury
The Aces dominated the Mercury, leading by double digits early and 29-10 after the first quarter. A’ja Wilson was excellent in the first quarter, scoring 15 points on 6-7 shooting while also grabbing 7 rebounds and getting two steals.
Make that 15 PTS for A’ja Wilson! https://t.co/mC9RhICEfV pic.twitter.com/W7nYV3R1u2
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 1, 2024
Jackie Young, who missed the previous game due to rest, also had a terrific first quarter, going 2-3 from three with 6 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds.
In the second quarter Chelsea Gray would go down hard taking a charge with 8:36 remaining and the Aces up 33-14.
As Kahleah Copper was driving toward the basket, she collided with Chelsea Gray who struggled to get up. Gray slowly walked to the bench, clearly in some pain.
Las Vegas Aces 33-14 Phoenix Mercury#ValleyTogether #WNBA #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/4t4qTDDPvs
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) September 1, 2024
Gray would return to the floor for the Aces with 3:00 left and the Aces leading 47-16. Phoenix scored 12 of the last 14 points in the second, but still trailed the Aces 52-28. A’ja Wilson led all scorers at halftime with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 9-12 shooting from the floor.
In the third quarter, the Mercury sliced the Aces led in half with a 19-7 run.
WE'VE GOT A GAME ????
The Phoenix Mercury are on a 19-7 run in the 3Q and have cut the Aces' 34-PT lead in half
???? Live on X pic.twitter.com/7Po8t6pSa1
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 1, 2024
Phoenix shot 10-18 (55.6%) from the field and 4-7 (57.1%) from three in the third quarter, led by Britney Griner (9 points) and Sophie Cunningham (8 points). The Mercury outscored the Aces 31-24 in the third quarter, but still trailed by 17, 76-59.
The Aces led by 15 or more points throughout the fourth quarter, eventually winning 97-79, with A’ja Wilson leading the way with 41 points and 17 rebounds. The Aces shot 56% from the field overall and outrebounded the Mercury 35-24.
Four Aces scored in double figures led by A’ja Wilson who finished with 41 points, 17 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Wilson now ranks third all-time in WNBA history with 72 games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds. This is also A’ja Wilson’s seventh game this season with 30+ points and 10+ rebounds, surpassing Tina Charles for the most in a single season.
31 PTS for A'ja ????
This marks her 7th 30+ PTS, 10+ REB game this season, passing Tina Charles (6, 2021) for most in a single season in WNBA History pic.twitter.com/H2haCDsfVz
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 1, 2024
Kelsey Plum ended with 16 points and four assists, hitting three three-pointers.
Jackie Young had a solid performance after missing the last game due to rest, ending with 11 points, 14 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Young made three three-pointers in the game, shooting 3-6 from the field.
Tiffany Hayes was a key player off the bench for the Aces, ending with 11 points on 5-7 shooting, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.
From wayyyyy downtown!@SydJColson ???? @tiphayes3 #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/xoYAytjaOv
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 1, 2024
Mercury were led by Britney Griner who finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds on 10-13 shooting from the field and 1-1 from three. Sophie Cunningham finished with 16 points and Kahleah Copper scored 15 to round out the double figure scoring for the Mercury.
On Tuesday, the Las Vegas Aces will play the Chicago Sky at the T-Mobile Arena. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. and it will be televised on NBA TV.
