FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Dream - Game 33 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Dream – Game 33 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Aces (29-4) | Atlanta Dream (16-17)

 

A’ja Wilson erupted for a WNBA record-tying 53 points as the Las Vegas Aces toppled the Atlanta Dream, 112-100. 

The Aces vs Dream played at the Gateway Center on Tuesday.

This marks the 29th victory of the season for the Las Vegas Aces, tying them with the 2014 Phoenix Mercury for the most wins in a season in WNBA history. Their next victory would set a brand-new record.

A’ja Wilson’s 53 points (16-of-23 FGs, 20-of-21 FTs) tied the WNBA’s single-game scoring record set by Liz Cambage in 2018. Wilson’s 20 made free throws are also the second most ever in a WNBA game, falling two shy of Cynthia Cooper’s record of 22.

“I don’t know what kind of a creature she is, but I can tell you she runs like a deer, jumps like a cat and catches like if she were Spiderman,” Aces’ coach Becky Hammon said of Wilson. “I don’t know exactly what that is, but she is just special.”

Wilson now ranks 19th in WNBA history for most career 20+ point games, which is right behind Brittney Griner, who is in 18th place with 104.

It was also the 10th time in Wilson’s career that she has scored 30 or more points, tying her with Hammon for the most 30+ point games in Aces’ franchise history.

It is also the second time she has scored at least 40 points in a game this season, making her the seventh player in WNBA history to score 40 or more points in a game twice in the same year.

The Aces handled business against the Dream

Joining Cambage and Riquna Williams, Wilson also became just the third player in WNBA history to record 50 or more points in a single game.

The start of the Aces vs Dream’ first half. 

Also contributing for Las Vegas, Chelsea Gray recorded her eighth point-assist double-double of the season with 16 points (6-of-16 FGs, 1-for-4 3s) and 12 assists, extending her franchise record for career point-assist double-doubles to 10. She also missed out on her third career triple-double by one rebound.

Kelsey Plum added 20 points (5-of-8 FGs, 3-for-5 3s, 7-of-7 FTs), seven assists, and two steals, and Jackie Young poured in 12 points (5-of-12 FGs, 1-for-4 3s) and four assists.

For the Atlanta Dream, Rhyne Howard had 27 points (9-of-16 FGs, 3-for-7 3s, 6-of-8 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Haley Jones came off the bench and added 23 points (8-of-13 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. 

Also for Atlanta, Danielle Robinson chipped in 17 points (3-of-7 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs) and five assists, while Aari McDonald put up 11 points (4-of-8 FGs, 2-for-4 3s) and three rebounds.

It wasn’t a great start for the Aces, as despite leading by three, Las Vegas went on a 9-2 run to go up double figures, 18-8. However, the Dream countered with an 8-0 run of their own to slice the Aces’ advantage to two. 

Las Vegas was able to extend their lead back out to seven, but Atlanta went on another devastating 12-1 run to re-take the lead. 

Atlanta came out scorching hot, making 60 percent of their shots in the first period (12-of-20 FGs), and went 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Las Vegas made 55.6 percent of their field goal attempts, and 11-of-12 from the charity stripe. 

The end of the Aces vs Dream’ first half. 

Wilson scored 16 points alone in the first quarter to lead all scorers.

The start of the Aces vs Dream second half. 

Neither team led by more than four points in the second quarter as both teams’ offenses cooled off. The Dream made 42.9 percent of their field goal attempts and committed five turnovers. While Las Vegas connected on 37.5 percent of their shots and coughed up the ball four times. 

Both teams went 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. Wilson also cooled off here, scoring just six points in the second period.

It was still just a two-point Las Vegas lead in the third quarter when the Aces scored nine-straight to go back up double digits, and held the Dream to just five points over the rest of the period. 

Wilson scored as many points as the Dream did in the quarter (13), as Las Vegas held Atlanta to 4-of-16 shooting from the field, while the Aces made 10-of-17 (58.8 percent).

Las Vegas extended their lead to as many as 22 in the fourth period, as Wilson scored 18 points in the fourth quarter, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

The final score of the Aces vs Dream was 112-100, Aces.

The Aces will now take on the Chicago Sky on Thursday, August 24th, at 5:00 PM PST.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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