A’ja Wilson delivered another complete performance, Jackie Young helped close the door and the Las Vegas Aces finally reached the end of a brutal stretch with another road win.
Wilson finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists as Las Vegas beat Toronto 88-78 on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The Aces improved to 26-13 and finished a run of 13 games in 26 days with a 9-4 record. However, NaLyssa Smith’s third-quarter leg injury became the major concern coming out of the victory.
Wilson sets the pace
Wilson entered the afternoon as a game-time decision, but she looked sharp immediately. She scored nine first-quarter points on 4-of-5 shooting and repeatedly found space in the midrange as Las Vegas built a 25-22 lead.
Chelsea Gray beat the shot clock early, while Stephanie Talbot knocked down a 3. Young added a floater in the key, and Wilson’s jumper helped force a Toronto timeout with the Aces ahead 14-9.
Mai Yamamoto provided another lift late, hitting a 3 with 42.8 seconds remaining. Her mother, grandmother and sister were in attendance as she played in Vancouver.
Before the game, Aces coach Becky Hammon called Yamamoto “a really solid piece” for Las Vegas. Hammon also praised her defensive pressure, physicality and energy.
The Aces shot 63 percent in the quarter and recorded eight assists on 10 made baskets. They also outrebounded Toronto 9-3.
Turnovers stall the push
Las Vegas had opportunities to create more separation in the second, but turnovers kept Toronto close. The Aces committed five in the quarter and went into halftime with seven overall.
Yamamoto supplied another important moment at 7:08. She forced a turnover, then made the technical free throw after Isabelle Harrison was assessed a technical foul. Yamamoto remained perfect from the line this season at that point, improving to 9-for-9 through nine games.
Young followed with a 3 to push the lead to 35-26. Talbot later finished a scoop shot, while Wilson continued to punish Toronto from the top of the key and midrange.
Las Vegas eventually built a 10-point lead, but Toronto scored the final six points of the half. The Aces led only 43-39 despite shooting 56 percent and holding a 14-11 rebounding advantage.
Injury clouds strong third
Las Vegas began creating more room in the third. Wilson hit a 3, then Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and converted the putback to make it 52-43.
Young also began finding her spots, scoring eight points in the quarter. Wilson continued to facilitate as well, reaching six assists by the end of the period while Las Vegas stretched its lead as high as 11.
Then the game took a concerning turn.
Smith went down hard while attacking the rim with 3:08 left. Her left leg buckled as she planted, and she immediately grabbed around her left knee. Smith needed assistance and was later evaluated by the Aces’ athletic trainer.
There was no official injury update by the end of the game. Smith did not return after finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, three steals and a block in 19 minutes.
Las Vegas still closed the quarter well enough to take a 66-57 lead into the fourth.
Stars finish the job
Wilson and Young took control when Toronto needed one last push. Wilson scored on a fadeaway, Young finished in transition and Wilson followed with another running layup.
Wilson then made two free throws before Yamamoto buried a 3 to stretch the lead to 79-61 with 6:04 remaining. Young added another jumper, while Gray converted an and-one as Las Vegas pushed the margin to 20.
Hammon eventually went deep into the bench, bringing in Justine Pissott, Kierstan Bell and Ta’Niya Latson for the closing minutes.
Wilson finished 10 of 15 from the field and recorded her 190th career 20-point game, tying Tina Charles for second-most in WNBA history behind Diana Taurasi’s record 259.
Yamamoto scored nine points and added two steals in 22 minutes, giving her family in attendance several moments to celebrate. Las Vegas shot 52 percent overall, scored 40 points in the paint and forced 15 Toronto turnovers.
After playing 13 times in 26 days, the Aces finally get some rest. The immediate question, though, will be Smith’s status after an afternoon that otherwise ended with another Las Vegas win.
Up next
Las Vegas hosts the Toronto Tempo on Friday, Aug. 28, at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT.
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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.
