WNBA and Las Vegas Aces Support ‘Taking Action For Responsible Gun Laws;’ Aces Drop 97-90 Decision To Connecticut Thursday

June 2, 2022June 2, 2022 Alan Snel A'ja Wilson, Becky Hammon, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, Nikki Fargas

Story by Alan Snel and Cassandra Cousineau of LVSportsBiz.com Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell

The WNBA and its players are speaking out again.

Case in point: Before Tuesday’s Las Vegas Aces vs Connecticut Sun game, the Aces’ pregame announcement/moment of silence reflected a WNBA and Players Association “Wear Orange” campaign that supports a movement of Americans committed to ending gun violence.

Before the Aces-Sun game two days ago, this was the PA message at Michelob Ultra Arena: “New York . . . and Uvalde. Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones. And we hope that each and everyone of you will join us in taking action for responsible gun laws.”

“It hits home a lot,” said Aces team president Nikki Fargas, who has a young child. “These types of incidents affect not only the families who lost loved ones but also the friends who lost loved ones.”

The WNBA is not shy about speaking out against social and violent problems plaguing the U.S.. You might recall the WNBA led the sports protests against social injustice and racial violence in 2000, even weighing in on the U.S. Senators’ races in Georgia.

And in Clark County, county commissioners and volunteers with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, will come together Friday to turn the world-famous Welcome sign orange in support of National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

The Aces came out flat against Connecticut Thursday evening, as the Sun jumped out to a 15-5 lead and piled up a stunning 37 points in the first quarter as Connecticut led, 37-22, after one quarter.

But Las Vegas made its comeback move in the second quarter and trailed only by three points at halftime, 53-50.

The Sun extended its lead to 78-72 after three quarters.

The Aces’ Jackie Young was red hot, scoring 24 points during the first three quarters.

The Aces suffered a big loss early in the fourth quarter when Young was injured. She sank her two foul shots and then needed the help of two Aces staffers to leave the court and head to the locker room with about nine minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

The Aces were chasing the Sun the entire fourth quarter.

With 2:39 left in the game, Connecticut led, 92-88, as Las Vegas’ Kelsey Plum was keeping the Aces close.

The Aces’ big woman, A’ja Wilson, had an off night. She missed several close shots and also missed four foul shots.

With 1:32 to go, the Aces trailed, 96-88.

They could not mount a comeback win.

Final: Connecticut 97 Las Vegas 90. The Aces’ seven-game winning streak was snapped and it was the first home loss for Las Vegas. Wilson struggled with a 5-for-16 shooting night and 3-of-7 from the foul line. Plum was 8-for-19 from the field. “This was the most physical game I’ve played in,” Plum said after postgame.

Not only did Young leave the game with an injured leg, fellow guard Chelsea Gray left with a mouth injury and needed stitches.

“We’re gonna be staying together in the locker room. And we’ll bounce back,” Plum said after the game.

The Sun made 50 percent of its shots compared to 48.5 percent for Las Vegas. Las Vegas committed 14 turnovers, which the Sun turned into 21 points. Connecticut made 10 miscues, which Las Vegas turned into 14 points.

LVSportsBiz.com asked Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon about who she will step up for the injured Young until when and if she’s able to return.

”It’s going to be really hard to step into Jackie’s shoes. It’s going to be a little bit of everybody. I really don’t know,” Hammon said.