Aces fall to the Mercury in a close one, 76-70

The Las Vegas Aces (5-5) closed out their three-game home stand against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday afternoon.

The Aces were again without A’ja Wilson as she was still in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury on June 11 against the Los Angeles Sparks.

In the first quarter, the trio of Gray, Loyd, and Young got off on the right foot. Jackie Young attacked the rim from the three-point line and a quick, speedy lay-up to give the Aces an early lead.

To close out the first quarter, the Aces were tied with the Mercury, 20-20.

To start the second quarter, the Aces were down as 30-24 with 7:05 left in the half. The Aces crashed the boards on the offensive end but missed the mark on second chance points. With 5:30 left in the quarter, Jewell Loyd got inside with a layup that brought the Aces to within six of the Mercury.

At the half, the Mercury led 43-39.

In the second half, the Aces forced a Mercury turnover that turned into a Jewell Loyd layup down the court. Early in the fourth quarter, Aaliyah Nye was elbowed in the face under the rim. Nye made her two free-throws and headed back to the locker room to be further examined. Nye then returned to finish out the game.

The Aces attempted to make a comeback but just couldn’t make it stick, going down to the Mercury 76-70. The Aces are now 5-5.

In the post-game presser, coach Becky Hammon said, “22 turnonvers…giving the ball up 22 times. We just have to have an next woman up mentality. We gotta get creative right now.”

The Aces head on the road to tip-off against the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, June 17 at 5pm PT.