FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Lynx - Game 4 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Lynx – Game 4 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Aces (4-0) | Minnesota Lynx (0-4)

 

The Las Vegas Aces continue to dominate, protecting their perfect record with their 94-73 victory over the Minnesota Lynx.

The Aces vs Lynx played at the Michelob ULTRA Arena on Sunday.

The Las Vegas Aces tied their franchise record for consecutive wins to open the season with their fourth win in a row over the Minnesota Lynx 94-73.

On the other hand, Minnesota has lost its first four games in each of the last three seasons.

Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray were both key in this victory, with Young pouring in 23 points (7-of-13 FGs, 4-for-8 3s), six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Gray added 19 points (7-of-10 FGs, 3-for-4 3s), 10 assists, five rebounds, and two assists.

Gray’s 10 assists marked the 10th time in her career that she dished out a double assist total, and it’s the sixth point-assist double-double of her career.

A’ja Wilson also starred in this one, totaling 21 points (6-of-10 FGs, 9-of-10 FTs), five rebounds, and two blocks for the Aces. Kelsey Plum and Alysha Clark scored 11 points a piece.

Wilson scored in double figures for the 28th consecutive regular season game, which is the third-longest active streak in the WNBA. Also credited with at least one steal in each of her past 24 regular season games, Wilson owns the league’s longest active streak in that category.

Despite Candace Parker falling flat in this one with just three points (1-of-9 FGs, 1-for-5 3s), Parker moved into ninth place for all-time WNBA career wins (256). Eighth is Tamika Catchings with 263 career victories. Parker is also close to playing in her 400th career game, after playing in number 396.

The Aces handled business against the Lynx

For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier had 21 points (8-of-17 FGs, 1-for-5 3s), 10 rebounds, and two steals. Tiffany Mitchell added 16 points (6-of-12 FGs, 2-for-3 3s), five rebounds, and four assists. 

The start of the Aces vs Lynx first half. 

Also for Minnesota, Diamond Miller scored a season-high 14 points (4-of-10 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs) and Rachel Banham had 12 points (4-of-11 FGs, 4-for-7 3s) off the bench. Jessica Shepard had a season-high 15 rebounds and tied her season-best with seven assists to go along with four points.

Wilson made a layup to put the Aces in front, 11-10 with 5:52 to go in the first quarter. The Aces never gave up their lead and outscored the Lynx 13-7 to close out the first, with a lead of 24-17. The Aces’ defense collected six points off of five Lynx turnovers in the period.

Las Vegas went up by 14 points early in the second quarter. However, the Lynx wouldn’t go away, cutting the lead to single digits several times throughout the quarter, though the Aces regained control with a 50-38 lead at the half. Young went a perfect 3-of-3 from the field after going 0-of-5 in the first.

The end of the Aces vs Lynx first half. 

With 3:47 to play in the third quarter, Minnesota was still within striking distance, 60-51. However, the Aces closed out the period on a 13-2 run, fueled by a pair of 3s from Young. Las Vegas’ defense held the Lynx to 1-of-8 shooting from the field, and with 10 minutes to play the home squad was up, 73-53.

The start of the Aces vs Lynx second half. 

The Aces cruised through the final quarter to bring the game to a close. Gray went off for 10 points in the final 10 minutes to secure her double-double.

It was an off-shooting night for both teams, as the Aces held the Lynx to 36.6 percent (26-of-72 FGs) shooting from the field, while Las Vegas’ offense hit 44.4 percent (32-of-72 FGs) of their attempts.

Riquna Williams was ruled out again, this time against Minnesota. It’s Williams’ fourth consecutive missed game with the lower back injury.

After playing three games in four days, the Aces have four days off before a four-game road trip. Their next game is against the Atlanta Dream. The Aces own an 18-17 regular season record over Atlanta and are 8-2 over the past 10 meetings.

The final score of the Aces vs Lynx was 94-73, Aces.

The Aces will now take on the Atlanta Dream on Friday, June 2nd, at 1:30 pm PST.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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