Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
Before the Las Vegas Aces finally defeated a young and hungry Atlanta Dream team, 97-90, Tuesday, Aces President Nikki Fargas told LVSportsBiz.com that she is looking to sell out the season’s final game Sunday when the Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird plays her final WNBA regular season game in Las Vegas.
“That’s the goal. That’s the plan,” Fargas said before the Aces’ hard-fought win at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena.
It’s going to be quite a final week for the Aces, which improved to 24-10. Las Vegas has a huge showdown with defending champion Chicago Sky (25-9) at Mandalay Bay Thursday. Then, Seattle and longtime WNBA star Bird come visiting on Sunday.
On Tuesday night, check out this trio of fans — Aces owners Mark Davis, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and Raiders star receiver/tight end Darren Waller, right to left.
The Aces relied on a 35-point fourth quarter to defeat the Atlanta Dream by seven points. It was an intense, well-played and exciting game.
There were 16 lead changes and 11 ties as the Aces made 14 three-pointers, shooting 52 percent from three-point land. A’ja Wilson scored 24, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum each scored 22 and Jackie Young added 20 points. That foursome scored 88 of the Aces’ 97 points.
Thursday’s big game will pit the Aces, which are 24-10, against Chicago, the league’s current number one seed with a 25-9 record.
The Atlanta Dream had a lot to play for as the young club is fighting to qualify for the playoffs. Atlanta dropped to 14-20, but the Dream are still in the playoff hunt.
Atlanta actually led the Aces by three points entering the fourth quarter before Las Vegas closed out the win. From the Aces PR staff:
The down part about the Aces win was that Dearica Hamby injured her leg while driving the baseline on a scoring attempt. She was helped into the Aces locker room.
After Chicago comes to town Thursday, Seattle visits Sunday.
Fargas said the Michelob Ultra Arena capacity is about 10,000, with the goal to sell out the arena for Bird’s final regular season game. Fargas noted that the Aces drew about 9,600 fans last season when Las Vegas played Phoenix in a Game 5 in the WNBA semifinals.
She believes the arena can hold about 10,000 when packed.
Noted Aces owner Mark Davis on building attendance at Aces home games: “We’re trying to create something that’s going to take time.”