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WNBA Las Vegas Aces

Game Preview: Aces Look to Get Back on Winning Track Thursday vs. Connecticut

August 19, 2020 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Las Vegas Aces News Release


Bradenton, FL - The Las Vegas Aces (8-3), who had their seven-game winning streak snapped at Chicago, Tuesday, look to get back on the winning track Thursday, August 20, as they host the Connecticut Sun (5-7) at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT.

The Aces mounted a furious comeback against the Sky, scoring 11 straight points over a 2:30 span late in the fourth quarter to tie the game, but Azura Stevens' cutting layup gave Chicago its eventual two-point margin of victory.

It was the most difficult shooting night of the season for Las Vegas, as the Sky held the Aces to 37.8 shooting from the field. Las Vegas kept the game close by taking care of the basketball (season-low 7 turnovers), and dominating at the free throw line (21 of 24 compared to 2 of 5 for Chicago).

Those two statistical categories have become a mainstay of the team's offense. The Aces commit a turnover on just 16.1 percent of their possessions, which is the lowest figure in the league. Las Vegas also leads the WNBA in free throws made (18.4) and free throws attempted (22.9) per game.

More than any other team in the league, the Aces offense is built inside-out, as 84 percent of their field goal attempts come from inside the arc. The Sun rank second in that category at 73.0 percent.

Leading MVP candidate A'ja Wilson ranks second in the WNBA in scoring (19.5), fourth in rebounding (8.5) and third in blocked shots (1.64). She paces a contingent of four additional double-figure scorers in Angel McCoughtry (15.5), Dearica Hamby (11.8), Kayla McBride (10.6) and Jackie Young (10.1). McCoughtry is posting career best this season in all three traditional shooting statistics, and ranks sixth in the W in field goal percentage (.558). Hamby is right behind her in seventh place (.557), and also ranks in the top 15 in rebounding (6.6 rpg, 15th) and steals (1.55 spg, 12th).

The Sun began the 2020 season with losses in each of their first five games, but they have turned things around of late with wins in five of their last seven.

Like the Aces, Connecticut also takes care of the basketball, committing a turnover on 17.0 percent of its possessions, but they have the second lowest effective field goal percentage (.465), the ninth lowest field goal percentage (.423), and the 11th lowest three-point field goal percentage (.311) in the league. Also like the Aces, the Sun make good use of the charity stripe, ranking third in the W in free throw attempts.

Offseason free agent acquisition DeWanna Bonner leads Connecticut in scoring (19.0 ppg), while grabbing 7.8 rebounds, handing out 3.2 assists and picking up 2.3 steals per game. Alyssa Thomas (13.8 ppg), Jasmine Thomas (12.7) and Brionna Jones (12.0) also average in double figures for the Sun. The team's fifth-leading scorer, though, is Bria Holmes at just 6.2 points per game.

Las Vegas is 16-27 all-time against Connecticut. the Sun took two of three from the Aces last year.

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