Photo credit: Neal Carter, Vegas Sports Today
The Las Vegas Aces secured a 75-72 victory over the Washington Mystics in a closely contested matchup. The Aces trailed at various points in the game but rallied behind strong performances from several players.
Jackie Young led the Aces with 25 points, while A’ja Wilson notched her 102nd career double-double. Chelsea Gray added 17 points for the Aces, who shot well from the field and from beyond the arc.
The game’s final minutes were intense, with both teams fighting for every possession. A crucial block by Kiah Stokes sparked a sequence of events that ultimately led to Jewell Loyd’s game-winning 3-pointer with 7.3 seconds remaining.
“To be down with three minutes left and to come back—that was a gutsy win. And shoutout to Kia Stokes for that last defensive possession,” Chelsea Gray said.
The Aces’ win was a testament to their resilience and determination. The team’s ability to come from behind and secure the victory was a highlight of their performance.
The Mystics, meanwhile, will look to build on their efforts in their next outing. Despite their best efforts, they came up just short in this matchup.
The game was a competitive and entertaining matchup between two teams with strong talent and determination. Both teams will look to continue improving as the season progresses.
By the Numbers: Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter Highlights (Washington 18, Las Vegas 16)The Aces and Mystics traded baskets for most of the opening quarter with four lead changes and four tied scores. Both Wilson and Young scored 5 points apiece for the Aces and Stefanie Dolson had 5 for Washington. Las Vegas opened shooting 41.2% from the field and 22.2% from 3-point range. Washington, on the contrary, shot 47.1% in the first quarter and made 2-of-4 from distance.
Second Quarter Highlights (Washington 42, Las Vegas 33)Washington continued its hot streak from beyond the arc, hitting 4-of-8 from 3-point and 46.2% overall. Mystics extended their lead to 10 points, 28-18, after a Citron 3 with 8:04 left in the second. The Aces closed the deficit to within 2 (33-31) after a 13-7 run that ended with a Gray 3-pointer at 3:17, but Washington responded with a 3 of their own and increased its lead to 9 by halftime. Gray scored 5 points, while Iriafen topped Washington’s scoring with 7 in the second quarter.
Third Quarter Highlights (Washington 59, Las Vegas 50)The Aces cut the gap to 6 points, 44-38 with 6:15 left in the quarter, but the Mystics responded and increased the lead to 12, 54-42, with 3:47 remaining in the period. The Aces again got to within 6 before Washington scored another 3 to end the quarter’s scoring. The Aces and Mystics scored 17 apiece, with Gray and Wilson contributing 6 each for the home side and Citron topped Washington with 7.
Fourth Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 75, Washington, 72)Las Vegas brought the lead to as close as 6 several times before Washington’s lead was back up to 9 with 3:52 to play. Young scored a pair from the line and a jump shot, followed by aDana Evans 3-pointer at 2:02 to cut the Mystics lead to 2, 68-66. Washington scored the next 4 points but 6 straight points from Young tied the game at 72-72 with 11.6 seconds on the clock. On the other end, the Aces had a successful challenge over a Kiah Stokesblocking foul. Las Vegas had possession with 7.3 seconds left before Loyd knocked down a dagger left corner 3 with 2.5 seconds left. Young scored a high of 13 points in the final frame, while Washington was paced by 6 from Citron.
