Jackie Young’s triple-double told only part of the story.
Young became the first player in Aces history to record a 25-point triple-double, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Las Vegas’ 109-87 win over Atlanta Monday night. However, the more important development was how she controlled the game after a frustrating opening quarter.
Defenses have changed coverages, sent extra pressure and tried to push Young away from her preferred spots. She adjusted anyway.
“She has found ways to slice up defenses, either with her scoring or with the pass,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “That ability to make those reads, not only to be effective scoring but to make other people effective in their scoring, is a real luxury.”
Working through pressure
Young’s night did not begin cleanly.
Las Vegas committed six turnovers in the first quarter, including two by Young. The Aces still shot 64 percent, but Atlanta converted those mistakes into nine points and closed the period on a 7-0 run.
Hammon saw Young fighting the game early.
“I think she was pretty frustrated in the first quarter, but she figured it out and got to her spots as the game came to her,” Hammon said. “Then, you know, triple-doubles happen.”
Young’s adjustment started quickly in the second quarter.
Atlanta extended its run to 12-2 before Young hit a 3-pointer off an A’ja Wilson assist. Wilson followed with a three-point play, and Las Vegas began to settle.
From there, Young started directing the game.
She scored in transition, hit another 3-pointer and finished a behind-the-back pass from Chelsea Gray. The Aces outscored the Dream 33-14 in the quarter.
Young had 19 points, six rebounds and four assists by halftime. More importantly, Las Vegas did not commit a turnover in the second period.
Aggression creates options
Young said the balance between scoring and passing has become clearer.
“I know the ball is going to be in my hands a lot,” she said. “I’m just trying to make the right decision off the ball screen or the handoff.”
Hammon said opponents have used hedges, pushes and blitzes to keep Young from turning the corner. Young has become more comfortable reading those coverages.
“For me, I have to come out and be aggressive,” Young said. “That’s when we’re going to get the best version of me. I think that helps everybody.”
That aggression did not mean forcing shots.
Young went 11-for-17 from the field and made four of seven 3-pointers. She also created clean touches for Wilson, NaLyssa Smith and Brianna Turner.
Her final assist came late in the fourth quarter. Young drew the defense and found Turner inside to complete the third triple-double of her career.
Jackie Young celebrates a third-quarter basket during her 28-point triple-double in the Aces’ 109-87 win over the Atlanta Dream on Aug. 3 at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Chemistry with Wilson
Young’s growth also depends on her connection with Wilson.
The Aces increasingly use handoffs between their two stars because defenses are sending more pressure toward Young. Wilson said those actions give Las Vegas several options without stopping the offense.
“Sometimes it can be a keep. Sometimes it can be a pitch,” Wilson said. “We can get into a rescreen and get back into it.”
That flexibility showed against Atlanta.
Young assisted Wilson three times during the game. Wilson also found Young for a 3-pointer in the second quarter and helped steady the offense during the decisive run.
“I think we flow out of our offense a lot better when we get into actions and handoffs,” Wilson said. “It’s just a matter of being there on time and trusting one another.”
Young described the same responsibility from her side.
“I know I’m playing with the best player in the world, so I have to be smart about when I take my shots and, obviously, try to get her the ball,” she said.
Finishing possessions
Young’s rebounding gave the Aces another advantage.
She grabbed 11 boards, including 10 on the defensive end. Those rebounds helped Las Vegas play faster and kept Gray from handling every transition possession.
Wilson said that part of Young’s game often gets overlooked.
“She was grabbing everybody’s rebounds, which is great,” Wilson said. “No lie, we love our guards who rebound.”
The Aces held Atlanta to 14 second-quarter points and 16 percent shooting from 3-point range. Young’s work on the glass helped finish possessions, while her passing turned stops into efficient offense.
Las Vegas finished with 23 assists and only nine turnovers.
Another organizer
Gray remains the Aces’ primary table-setter. She finished with 17 points and six assists while delivering several of the game’s sharpest passes.
However, Young’s growth gives Las Vegas another player who can control a possession from start to finish.
Hammon called Gray and Young a “two-headed monster” in the backcourt. Add Wilson behind them, and the Aces can attack from several points without changing their identity.
Young can score through contact, pull up from midrange or hit from beyond the arc. Now she is also punishing extra pressure with the pass.
That development makes the triple-double more than a milestone.
It shows how much larger Young’s role has become.
“I just try to go out there, play hard, make the right reads and play good basketball,” Young said.
Against Atlanta, that approach gave Las Vegas another engine.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
