The Las Vegas Aces kept their perfect record alive thanks to a scintillating A’Ja Wilson performance which included 21 points with 9 of 16 from the field, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 assists.
The Las Vegas Aces started the game with A’Ja Wilson (#22), Kelsey Plum (#10), Candace Parker (#3), Chelsea Gray (#12) and Jackie Young (#0). Atlanta Dream starting lineup comprised of Aari McDonald (#2), Allisha Gray (#15), Rhyne Howard (#10), Nia Coffey (#12) and Cheyyene Parker (#32).
In addition to A’Ja Wilson performance, Jackie Young scored 20 points with 6 of 10 from the field, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Candace Parker and Kelsey Plum contributed with 13 and 15 points respectively.
For the Dream, Cheyyene Parker had 25 points and rebounds, Allisha Gray had 16 points and 5 rebounds and assists apiece and Rhynne Howard had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream were very competitive. All their games were coming down the wire and they battle hard every time. The Dream are taking the right steps and are improving significantly. Atlanta Dream put up a great fight, but the Las Vegas Aces were just too stacked.
A’Ja Wilson was the one keeping the momentum in favor of the Aces. With the scoreline reading 36-25 for the Aces, a Wilson block resulted in Jackie Young scoring a three-pointer at the other end.
At the halftime, the scoreboard read 45-30 in favor of the Aces. Wilson had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, Jackie Young had 12 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists and Allisha Gray was leading the Dream with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
With the Aces sailing comfortably in the third quarter, an Asia Durr three pointer started a good momentum for the Dream. Dream now had 51 points to Aces 65. Aari McDonald three pointer in the fourth quarter brought back the Aces dream to single digits with the scoreboard now reading 80-71.
Las Vegas Aces
With the scoreline reading 86-82, A’Ja Wilson was fouled with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game, Wilson made one free throw and missed the second one. It was capitalized by the Dream with Rhynne Howard scoring quick two to cut down the lead to just three.
With jus 48 seconds remaining in the game, Kelsey Plum stole the ball and Chelsea Gray scored a bucket off it. The Aces now lead 89-84 with just 48 seconds remaining in the clock. Rhynne Howard scored a quick three and with just 36 seconds remaining, the Aces were up by just 2 points.
Finally, a clutch fade away shot by “Point God” Chelsea Gray ensured with the final score board reading 92-87.
Following a 5-0 start to the WNBA 2023 campaign, this Aces team have been drawing comparison to the 2016 Goldens State Warriors team which comprised of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala.
Similar to that Warriors super team, Aces have Jackie Young, A’Ja Wilson, Candace Parker, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray in their lineup. This Aces team are the first super team in WNBA.
Candace Parker
Candace Parker moved to eighth in the all-time points list. She overtook Katie Smith who had 6452 points. Parker had 13 points and 3 assists and rebounds apiece in her 23-minute playing time against the Dream.
Ahead of the list are Sue Bird with 6803 points at seven, Cappie Pondexter with 6811 points at 6, Candice Dupree with 6895 points at 5, Tina Charles with 7115 points at 4, Tamika Catchings with 7380 points at 3, Tina Thompson with 7488 points at 2 and the “White Mamba”, Diana Taurasi with 9747 points at number 1.
Kelsey Plum also reached the milestone of reaching 2000 career points and Jackie Young reached 1500 career points.