WNBA Las Vegas Aces

Young, Gray, Wilson Top 20 Points Each as Aces Upend Mercury 98-72

Published on July 12, 2023 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Las Vegas Aces News Release


LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Aces (18-2) boasted three players with 20 or more points Tuesday evening as they upended the visiting Phoenix Mercury, 98-72. Jackie Young scored a game-high 23 points, Chelsea Gray posted a 21-point, 11-assist double-double, and A'ja Wilson added 20, as the trio of All-Stars combined to go 25 for 39 from the field including 6 of 8 from 3-point range. The victory not only extended the Aces' home winning streak to 16 games-tied for the 7th longest streak in WNBA history-but it allowed them to close out Commissioner's Cup play with a 9-1 slate, raising $18,500 for NAMI Southern Nevada.

KEY RUNS

First Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 26, Phoenix 22)

There were 3 lead changes and 7 ties in the first quarter. A 7-0 run midway through the period turned a 2-point Las Vegas deficit into a 5-point advantage, and gave the Aces a lead they would never relinquish. Las Vegas outscored the Mercury 20-8 points in the paint, and received 11 points from Wilson and 10 from Plum. Brittney Griner led the Merc with 6 points in the period.

Second Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 52, Phoenix 34)

The Aces scored 6 consecutive points to start the quarter, opening up their first double-digit lead of the night in the process. A 15-0 run later in the period put Las Vegas up 20, and th4 Mercury never got closer than 17 points the remainder of the half. Young scored 10 points and Gray had 8 for the Aces and Diana Taurasi tallied 5 for the Mercury. Las Vegas ruled the paint by a margin of 16-4 and shot 58.8% from the field, while its defense held Phoenix to just 25% of its field goal attempts.

Third Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 84, Phoenix 57)

An 8-0 midway through the quarter gave the Aces a 30-point lead, and effectively ended the game. The Aces shot 64.7% overall in the period and 66.7% from 3-point range, while the Mercury made 47.4% of their field goal attempts and 33.3% from afar. Gray scored 13 points to lead all scorers.

Fourth Quarter Highlights (Las Vegas 98, Phoenix 72)

The reserves did most of the heavy lifting for both teams in the low-scoring fourth as the Mercury's Michaela Onyenwere's 6 points were tops in the period.

KEY STATS

It has been 1,215 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered. In 2022, three officers were federally charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and civil rights violations. One of the officers later pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy, marking the first conviction in the case.

The ACLU is currently tracking 491 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the United States.

The Aces made 50-percent of their shots from the field, while the Mercury made 38.6-percent of theirs.

Las Vegas held Diana Taurasi to 11 points on 3 of 11 shooting, while Britney Griner scored 13 points making 6 of 9 from the field.

The Aces outscored Phoenix 50-32 in the paint.

Las Vegas committed just 4 turnovers.

GAME NOTES

Teams have made 50 percent or more of their shots in 46 games this season. Las Vegas' offense accounts for 11 of those.

Gray netted her fourth point-assist double-double of the season and 9th of her career (21 points, 11 assists).

The Aces have won 16 straight home games, which is tied for the 7th longest streak in WNBA history. The 2014-15 Phoenix Mercury are next on the list in 6th place with 17 straight home victories.

Las Vegas nearly became the 5th team in league history to have four players score 20 or more points in the same game-Young, 23; Gray, 21; Wilson, 20; Plum, 17.

Chelsea Gray is still on pace to join the 50-40-90 club as she is making 51.1 percent of her field goal attempts, 45.9 percent of her shots from beyond the arc, and 94.9 percent from the charity stripe.

The Aces 3 player turnovers are the fewest by any team in the league this year.

Las Vegas honored franchise alumnae Nikki McCray-Penson with a moment of silence before the game. The three-time WNBA All-Star passed away late last week at the age of 51.

NEXT UP

The Aces don't have much time to relax as they flew to Los Angeles immediately following the game. They take on the Sparks, Wednesday, July 12 at Crypto.com Arena. Tip is slated for 7 pm PT. Las Vegas is 2-0 on the year against Los Angeles, and has won 12 straight vs. the Sparks.

Check out the Las Vegas Aces Statistics

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