Young career high powers Aces past Storm

Jackie Young carried her World Cup form straight back into the WNBA.

Young scored a career-high 35 points, including 22 in the first quarter, as the Las Vegas Aces rolled past the Seattle Storm 114-77 on Thursday at Climate Pledge Arena. Las Vegas improved to 28-13 and extended its winning streak to four games.

A’ja Wilson added 29 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. The Aces shot 58 percent and produced a season-high 114 points.

Before the game, Aces coach Becky Hammon warned that Seattle could be a “trap game” coming out of the FIBA break. Instead, Las Vegas controlled the game almost from the opening tip.

Young erupts early

Stephanie Talbot opened the scoring with a 3-pointer. After that, the first quarter belonged to Young.

Young scored 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting. She went 3-of-4 from 3 and 3-of-3 at the line while scoring from all three levels.

Her 22 points were the most by any WNBA player in a first quarter this season.

Young buried another 3-pointer with 2.9 seconds left, sending Las Vegas into the second ahead 25-13. Seattle shot just 21 percent and missed all five of its 3-point attempts.

Hammon was asked before the game about Young’s championship résumé and recent international run.

“She wins. All she does is win,” Hammon said. “She works hard. She puts a lot into her game, and you see the results.”

Hammon also called Young one of the league’s top two-way guards. She said Young’s winning is not surprising because of the work she puts into her game.

Wilson takes over

Young attempted only one field goal in the second quarter, but Las Vegas had another answer.

Wilson scored 13 points in the period after opening 0-of-4 from the field. She attacked the free throw line, converted an and-one and began finding space in the midrange.

Wilson also contributed elsewhere. She had four rebounds, three assists and two blocks by halftime.

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus gave the bench another lift. She scored six points in the quarter with strong off-ball movement and activity around the rim.

Parker-Tyus finished with nine points, seven rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

Chelsea Gray also returned after briefly going to the locker room following contact while trying to draw a charge in the first quarter. She finished with five points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Las Vegas won the second quarter 27-21 and carried a 52-34 lead into halftime.

Career night continues

Young resumed attacking after the break.

She scored 11 more points in the third and reached a new career high with two late free throws. Young also created for teammates, including a long pass to Wilson underneath for a basket.

Wilson added 11 points in the quarter and continued filling the box score. Talbot knocked down another 3-pointer and finished with eight points and five assists.

The defense was not as sharp as it had been before halftime. Seattle scored 29 points in the third after managing 34 in the entire first half.

Still, Las Vegas scored 33 of its own and carried an 85-63 lead into the fourth.

Young finished 12-of-18 from the field, 4-of-10 from 3 and 7-of-7 at the line. She also added five assists.

Hammon said before the game that Young’s ability to deliver on big stages was no surprise.

“She wins. All she does is win,” Hammon said. “The winning is not surprising, honestly, if you saw how she works.”