Aces snap three game losing streak against Indiana, 89-81

On Sunday, the Las Vegas Aces (6-7) took on the Indiana Fever(6-7) at the T-Mobile Arena.

The Aces went with their lineup of Kiah Stokes, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, and A’ja Wilson.

Jewell Loyd got off to a great start in the first quarter. Kiah Stokes cleaned up the glass on offensive rebounds. Chelsea Gray picked up the defensive assignment on Caitlin Clark.

With 6:27 left in the first quarter, the Fever went up 8-6. The Aces stayed with Fever for the quarter. Chelsea Gray closed out the quarter for the Aces with a falling three-pointer at the buzzer putting the Aces to within one of Indiana, 21-20.

The second quarter for off to a quick start. Chelsea Gray picked up an assist and a rebound with the pass to Dana Evans putting the Aces to within two of the Fever with 5:51 left in the quarter.

It was clear that the Fever’s defensive plan was to smother A’ja Wilson in the paint. Wilson was visibly frustrated that she couldn’t connect at the basket. The Aces closed out the half down by six, 42-36.

To start the third quarter, Aces coach Becky Hammon was asked what the Aces can improve upon and Hammon said, “A better start than what we’ve had. Hopefully we clean things up, Caitlin Clark was eating us up on defense.” A’ja Wilson seemingly found her stride after a rough first half for her.

When asked what clicked for her in the second half, A’ja Wilson said, “Really, nothing. I still feel like I’m missing the easy ones. It’s not like they’re [the Fever] are guarding me with some special sauce, I just gotta knock it down. I ain’t goin give up. I’ma keep shooting it, I don’t really care, everybody know that.”

In the fourth, the Aces began making a comeback. Jewell Loyd knocked down a shot to pull the Aces to within one of the Fever. Rookie Aaliyah Nye hit a three-pointer over Caitlin Clark to give the Aces the lead, 63-61.

The Aces then went on a 16-2 run to extend their lead, 69-63. Kelsey Mitchell sank a three-pointer on the other end to tie the game with 5:01 left in the game.

The Las Vegas Aces earn the win, 89-81 to snap a three-game losing streak.

In the post-game interview, A’ja Wilson said, “It was our defense. That’s something we’ve been harping on a lot. I don’t know how many turnovers we had it was our defense, we had to lock in on a lot schemes, but we got the job done. I just want to apologize to everybody that was watching, that was not a normal A’ja Wilson night and we goin be back.”

The Aces continue their homestand on Wednesday, June 25 to take on the Connecticut Sun at 7pmPT.