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Story by Cassandra Cousineau Photos by Hugh Byrne
The defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces won their 15th game in 16 tries Saturday with a 102-84 win over the Connecticut Sun at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena.
The Aces outscored the Sun, 30-22, in the first quarter and, 25-15, in the third quarter to jump out to a lead and then salt away the win in the second half.
Kelsey Plum lead the Aces with 25 points, A’ja Wilson added 23 points and Candace Parker provided 15. Both Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray scored 11 apiece.
The Aces announced a crowd of 8,596 — which is about 3,000 a game more than in 2022.
The Aces play the Dallas Wings Wednesday and Friday at Mandalay Bay.
The All-Star Game is July 15 here in Las Vegas.
After the game, Plum mentioned the team’s new training facility this season has been a big help.
“It’s a big part I think,” Plum said. “In the past you’re moving around, high schools, UNLV. Maybe there’s a weight room, maybe there’s not. Maybe there’s a cold tub there, maybe there’s not. Now it’s all in one place.”
In the WNBA’s newly-expanded 40-game season, conditioning impacts game performance.
“I really do feel it allows us to take a step as professionals. You see it as a product on the court,” the All-Star reserve added.
The Aces training staff also now includes a strength coach. “We hired a strength coach. We’ve never had that in the past. You kind of were on your own.”
Aces coach Becky Hammon chimed in, “ “Everybody gotta get one. If you want the best product.”