Aces Take Care Of Washington For 6th Straight Win (7-4-24)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: WNBA
Paradise, NV- The Las Vegas Aces handled business Thursday evening, defeating the Washington Mystics 98-77 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. After beginning June losing four out of its first six games, the Aces have now won six straight victories.
Washington (5-16) will play Las Vegas (12-6) for the final time again next Sunday but have dropped the season series against WNBA’s defending champs. The Mystics now drop to (2-9) on the road this year.
The game opened with D.C. keeping things tight in the first quarter, as they hit four 3-pointers. The Mystics gained its only lead of the game 20-17 but trailed after the first 23-20.
Kelsey Plum had nine second-quarter points hitting three of the five Aces’ 3-pointers to help them gain a 13-point halftime lead. Washington’s defense couldn’t keep up with the fast-paced Las Vegas offense on the break and off the dribble. This second-quarter run was all the Aces needed as they would never lose the lead once again to finish out the second half for a comfortable double-digit victory.
Plum scored 28 points, shooting lights out from the field finishing 10-13 and 6-9 from three. Jackie Young had an efficient double-double performance with 20 points and 10 assists.
Arguably the WNBA’s leading MVP candidate A’ja Wilson dropped 18 points, 9 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks, another great performance for Wilson who had a lighter evening in the box score.
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough built off her nice offensive output from the other night in LA, leading the Mystics in the scoring column with 19 points, shooting 54% from the field, and adding three 3-pointers. Emily Engstler had 10 points off the bench and Ariel Atkins rounded out the double-digit scoring with 18 points.
The Aces dominated the interior scoring 46 points in the paint to Washington’s 24. Las Vegas also had 31 assists as a team.
Washington was missing Brittney Sykes (foot), Shakira Austin (hip), and Karlie Samuelson (hand) all of who are out into All-Star Break.
D.C travels north Saturday evening to face the Minnesota Lynx (14-6) for the first time this season at 8 p.m.
