Aces fall to 5-6 with a loss to the Lynx

The Las Vegas Aces (5-6) tipped-off against the Minnesota Lynx (10-1) at the Target Center on Tuesday night.

The Aces were without MVP A’ja Wilson for a third straight game as she is in concussion protocol.

During the first quarter, the first possession was a defensive three-second call that had Jewell Loyd at the charity stripe to give the Aces a 1-0 lead. Jewell Loyd and Tiffany Mitchell got off to quick starts to put the Aces up 8-0 early.

To start the game, the Aces seemed focus and shot 57% from the floor. Tiffany Mitchell made her presence felt on both sides of the floor. With 2:07 left in the quarter, the Aces were up by one, 14-13. Kierstan Bell beats the clock with a jumper to bring the Aces to 18-15 to end the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Aces stayed consistent with their defensive plan and staying aggressive. Kiah Stokes hit a big three-pointer with the shot clock winding down, giving the Aces their biggest lead of the game at that point, 30-19.

With 3:26 left in the half, Jackie Young went down on the court, and she was taken to the locker room to be examined by the Aces training staff. To close out the half, the Aces led the Lynx 39-30.

The third quarter began with Jackie Young coming back on to the court to continue playing. The momentum shifted with a Lynx comeback after a challenge. The Lynx then tied the game 40-40. Aaliyah Nye made a three-pointer to break the tie, 43-40.

The Lynx outscored the Aces 26-13 to close out the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Aces got good looks but couldn’t find the basket. With 2:01 left to play, the Aces were down by 9 after a three-pointer by Kierstan Bell, 71-62.

The Aces fall to the Lynx, 76-62.

In the post-game presser, Kiah Stokes said “I wouldn’t say it’s easier with A [A’ja], I think because A’ja is such a big presence in the paint I tend to just find myself floating on the perimeter, so when A’ja’s not here, I’m in more actions, I think that’s the easier part.”

Stokes continued, “We just gotta hold it together until A comes back.”

The Aces meet the Seattle Storm for the third time this season at home on Friday, June 20 at 7pm PT.