By Alan Snel
LVSportsBiz.com
Las Vegas Aces All-Star A’ja Wilson was injured with a bad ankle and couldn’t show her hoops skills for NBA legend Bill Russell, who sat behind one of the baselines.
But the Aces won without Wilson, as All-Star center Liz Campage poured in 22 points and the Las Vegas team defeated the Minnesota Lynx, 79-74.
Raiders owner Mark Davis was in his usual courtside seat near half court, but it was Russell who garnered the crowd’s cheers when introduced at Mandalay Bay Events Center on the Strip. Attendance was reported at 4,352, though there seemed to be less people in the building than that.
Wilson sat out, but Kayla McBride dropped in 20 points and Dearica Hamby, in the starting lineup for Wilson, added 14 points.
Russell, who was in a wheelchair at age 85, met each Aces players after the game in their locker room.
Sugar Rodgers, who scored eight points off the bench, said she was “at a loss of words” to describe the meaning of meeting Russell, who set a record for winning most NBA championships with the Boston Celtics.
“You appreciate the support,” Rodgers said.
McBride, one of the Aces three All-Stars, said she was star-struck when Russell introduced himself to her after the game.
“He’s a legend,” McBride said. “He’s one of the first names you think of when you think of the NBA.”
Hamby, who said she felt fine with the added minutes playing in the starting line-up for Wilson, said, “It’s an honor to meet him.”
Coach Bill Laimbeer also met Russell.
Rushia Brown of the Aces staff interviewed All-Stars Cambage and McBride, who will be in action Saturday when the Mandalay Bay Events Center hosts the WNBA All-Star Game.
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