Aces capture a big win against Golden State on Sunday

After an embarrassing 111-58 loss to the Minnesota Lynx (26-3), the Las Vegas Aces (15-14) hoped for a bounce back in a turnaround game on Sunday against the Golden State Valkyries (14-14) in San Francisco.

This was the Aces final back-to-back series of the season.

Las Vegas started the first half with a great defensive stop of the Valkyries in the opening seconds.

The Aces quickly picked up the pace with Jackie Young dishing out assists to A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray feeling confident in her mid-range jumper giving the Aces an early 11-7 lead.

Las Vegas exhibited great ball movement on the offensive end and stayed consistent in communication on the defensive end. The Aces then went on an 8-0 run to close out the first quarter.

Chelsea Gray picked up an two-point play at the buzzer of the first quarter to give the Aces a 27-12 lead.

Jackie Young spoke before the second quarter on what it was going good for the Aces, “I think we came out strong, execute on the defensive end.” At the end of the first half, the Aces held on to a 50-25 lead with a 9-foot jumper from Kierstan Bell at the buzzer.

Headed into the second half, the Aces continued with their defensive attack against the Valkyries. With 2:30 left in the third quarter, the Aces went on a 9-0 run. Jewell Loyd came up with the hot hand in the third quarter.

Megan Gustafson stepped up with getting to the line and getting some looks from behind the three-point line.

In the fourth quarter, the Aces continued more of the same tempo to close out the game.

The Aces bounce back with a 101-77 win over Golden State. Jewell Loyd took over for the Aces scoring 27 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist.

In the post-game presser, Becky Hammon talked about the team’s defense, “I will give us an A+ in the first half and a D in the second half (on defense).”

Hammon continued, “We put them [Golden State] under duress on the shot clock in the first half.”

The Aces meet the Valkyries in San Francisco on Wednesday, August 6 at 7pm PT.