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- A’ja Wilson has 28 points, 17 rebounds as Aces beat Mystics (newsbreak.com)
WASHINGTON — A’ja Wilson delivered a standout performance with 28 points and 17 rebounds, while Kelsey Plum added 22 points, helping the Las Vegas Aces overcome a 13-point deficit in the second quarter to secure an 89-77 victory over the Washington Mystics on Sunday. This marked their fourth consecutive win.
Tiffany Hayes matched her season-high scoring with 17 points and dished out a season-best five assists for the Aces, who now hold a record of 16-7.
After a rocky 6-6 start to the season, the Aces have turned things around dramatically, winning 10 of their last 11 games following Chelsea Gray’s return to the lineup. Gray, the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP, came back from a foot injury on June 19, boosting the team’s performance significantly.
Plum put the Aces ahead with a layup early in the second half, marking Las Vegas’ first lead since the opening minutes, and Wilson dominated the third quarter with 14 points and eight rebounds. This surge helped Las Vegas enter the final quarter with a 65-62 advantage, a lead they maintained through to the end.
Wilson’s efforts set a record as this season she has achieved 11 games with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds, the most in WNBA history. She also extended her streak of games with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds to three, another league record.
For the Mystics, Ariel Atkins shone brightly despite the loss, tying her career-high of six 3-pointers and scoring a personal best of 36 points.
The Mystics started strong, with Atkins leading the charge for an early 31-20 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, their momentum waned in the second quarter, allowing the Aces to claw back into contention.
Atkins was the standout performer for Washington in the first half with 21 points, while Plum and Wilson were the top scorers for Las Vegas.
With this win, Las Vegas completed a season sweep over Washington, winning all three encounters by comfortable margins.
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- A’ja Wilson has 28 points, 17 rebounds as Aces beat Mystics (newsbreak.com)