Did you catch the thrilling WNBA showdown? The Las Vegas Aces just extended their incredible win streak to 12! A’ja Wilson was unstoppable, and Jackie Young pulled off a rare triple-double. But how close did the Atlanta Dream come to breaking their run? Find out all the game-changing moments!
The Las Vegas Aces cemented their dominance in the WNBA with a hard-fought 81-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream, marking their twelfth consecutive win. This remarkable performance saw star forward A’ja Wilson deliver an outstanding individual effort, complemented by a historic triple-double from guard Jackie Young, as the Aces showcased their championship pedigree in a crucial road contest.
A’ja Wilson was once again the focal point of the Aces’ offense, orchestrating a commanding performance with 34 points and nine rebounds. Her ability to consistently score and control the boards proved instrumental in navigating the challenging matchup against the resilient Atlanta Dream, highlighting her MVP-caliber season.
Jackie Young further etched her name in the record books by achieving her second triple-double of the season, tallying 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. This rare statistical feat underscores her versatility and crucial role in the Las Vegas Aces’ offensive and defensive schemes, providing a multifaceted contribution that often sparks the team’s most effective runs.
The turning point of the game undeniably arrived in the third quarter, where the Las Vegas Aces unleashed a decisive 21-6 scoring run that completely shifted the momentum. Guards Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd each contributed 14 points, with Gray initiating a four-point play that gave the Aces their first lead, showcasing their clutch performance and deep offensive talent.
Despite their strong start and the efforts of Brionna Jones and Rhyne Howard, who each contributed 19 points, alongside Allisha Gray’s 15, the Atlanta Dream struggled to counter the Aces’ third-quarter surge. The Dream, who had previously won nine of their last eleven games, ultimately lost the season series to the Las Vegas Aces 3-0, reflecting the visitor’s consistent superiority.
The game opened with the Atlanta Dream establishing an early advantage, with Jones scoring the first four points. Although the Aces managed to tie the score three times in the initial period, they couldn’t seize the lead, allowing the Dream to conclude the first quarter with a narrow 19-16 edge, indicating a tightly contested start to the WNBA clash.
The second quarter saw a similar back-and-forth battle, with Loyd’s layup briefly giving Las Vegas points before a 7-0 run, capped by a three-point play from Jones, extended Atlanta’s lead to 26-18. While Wilson’s free throws halted the run, and Young’s jumper brought the Aces within two points, the Dream maintained a 42-40 lead heading into halftime.
The pivotal moment arrived with a dominant 15-0 run by the Las Vegas Aces in the third quarter. Following Dana Evans’ layup, A’ja Wilson exploded for eight consecutive points, and Jewell Loyd added five more, propelling the Aces to a commanding 61-48 lead as they entered the final period, effectively breaking the Dream’s resolve.
The Atlanta Dream mounted a late charge in the fourth quarter, narrowing the deficit to just three points with a Te-Hina Paopao three-pointer. However, the composed Las Vegas Aces responded decisively with consecutive three-pointers from Loyd and Chelsea Gray, sealing their 12th consecutive victory and underscoring their championship aspirations in the competitive WNBA landscape.