Las Vegas Aces Rebound From Tuesday Loss To New York With 88-75 Win Over Liberty Before Announced Attendance Of 9,230 Thursday
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
We likely will see the New York Liberty back here in Las Vegas for the WNBA Finals.
The WNBA’s top two teams slugged it out amid a playoff atmosphere at Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena Thursday as the Las Vegas Aces bounced back from a disappointing Commissioner’s Cup loss to New York two nights ago here with a 88-75 win. Attendance was announced at 9,230 in a very loud arena tonight.
The Aces’ Chelsea Gray showed she’s the emotional heart of the team with a gutty 22-point, 11-rebound, 10-assist performance for the Aces franchise’s first triple-double, while two-time MVP A’ja Wilson overcame a slow start to assert her offensive presence with 21 points. Gray’s triple-double was the first in the Las Vegas part of the franchise history, which included time in Utah and San Antonio.
Kelsey Plum added 18 points, while Jackie Young supplied 16 for the Aces.
After the game, Aces coach Becky Hammon praised her team’s defense in a battle of two elite offenses.
“Excellent job defensively,” Hammon said, especially noting the Aces held the Liberty to only 11 points in the fourth quarter.
Las Vegas is 28-3, while New York is 24-7. The Aces and Liberty have emerged as the WNBA’s two powerhouse teams, with Connecticut Sun in third place at 21-9.
LVSportsBiz.com asked Hammon about what the league can do to showcase and market the Las Vegas vs New York games and players in light of the fact that both rosters are filled with world-class players who could help the WNBA grow the product to more casual basketball fans.
Hammon mentioned that both team play entertaining offensive brands of basketball and that fans will not enjoy games where points are scored in the 50s and 60s.
The Aces have won two of the three regular season games against New York, but the Liberty did defeat Las Vegas, 82-63, Tuesday in the in-season Commissioner’s Cup game.
Hammon praised her team for its ability to “re-group” and “re-focus” after Tuesday’s loss to New York.
Las Vegas plays the LA Sparks at 12 noon Saturday.
The Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu, who tweeted that her sneakers were stolen from the arena after Tuesday’s win over Las Vegas, said she has no update about the missing basketball shoes.
