Aces snap a two-game losing streak against Golden State

The Las Vegas Aces (10-11) welcomed A’ja Wilson back to take on the Golden State Valkyries (10-10) as she nurses a right wrist injury she suffered on Tuesday, July 8 against the New York Liberty.

To start the first quarter, the Aces started off with excellent ball movement on the court. With 7:49 left in the first quarter the Aces were 4-for-4 on the floor. A’ja Wilson was in rare form with a pair of jumpers to put the Aces up early.

The Aces finished the first quarter with a strong showing. Dana Evans continued to be aggressive against the Valkyries, drawing the last foul of the first quarter. Las Vegas ended the quarter up 23-21.

In the second quarter, the Aces kept up the high energy. The two teams traded shots back and forth with former Aces stars Kate Martin and Tiffany Hayes, who got the start, hitting from three-point lane.

A’ja Wilson continue to stay hot when the Aces needed a score to put the Aces to within two, 36-32 with 5:16 left in the half. Wilson made her way to the line for the fourth time during the half, pushing the Aces to within one of the Valkyries, 46-45 to close out the half.

In the first half, Chelsea Gray reached another milestone. Gray became the fastest and youngest player in WNBA history to score 4,000 points, 1,700 assists, 1,000 rebounds, 400 steals, and 100 blocks in her career.

Jackie Young busted through the paint with an easy play in traffic to tie the two teams, 49-49. Jewell Loyd got in on the Aces act shooting a three to give the Aces a one-point lead.

Kayla Thronton crashed the boards heavy for the Valkyries in the second half. Jewell Loyd, paired the emergence of Jackie Young in the third quarter took over for the Aces, giving them a 63-61 lead with under 4 minutes left in the quarter.

Before the fourth quarter, A’ja Wilson was asked how to the Aces proceed, Wilson said, “Defense is going to be so key.”

Dana Evans and Chelsea Gray took over as Jackie Young sat on the bench with a slight shoulder issue. Chelsea Gray went coast-to-coast as Dana Evans came right back to step up and over the Valkyries in the pant to give the Aces an 85-77 lead with 7:09 left in the game.

In her comeback game, A’ja Wilson finished the game with 34 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. Jackie Young came up big with 30 points of her own.

The Aces played a complete game for the first time since earlier in the season, coming away with the 104-102 win in the final seconds.

“We weathered the storm,” A’ja Wilson said after the win. The Aces are now 10-11 and snapped a two-game losing streak.

Up next for the Aces is the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, July 16 at 5pm PT.