FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Dream - Game 26 - 2022

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Dream – Game 26 – 2022

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Aces (18-8)  |  Atlanta Dream (12-14)

 

RECAP

“It just feels great to be headed home. Like, at the end of the day, it’s a different feeling. We’re excited to get back to the house.” – A’ja Wilson

 

The Aces spent portions of their postgame media availability following Sunday’s 91-83 win at Connecticut, voicing how eager they were to get back home.

“Yeah, I can’t wait to get home, either.” – said Chelsea Gray.

Becky Hammon and A’ja Wilson had spent the previous nine days on the road, three away games and one All-Star Weekend in Chicago. Before that, Vegas had spent seven more days away from home, bouncing from Los Angeles to Seattle and Minnesota. So, Tuesday’s return to Michelob ULTRA Arena was a much-desired one.

However, it didn’t show.

From the jump, it appeared that the visiting Atlanta Dream was the most interested in taking the court inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Three quick 3-pointers from rookie Rhyne Howard jolted Atlanta out to a 15-3 lead in the early parts of the game. Their lightning-fast start was the catalyst for everything coming in that first half. The Dream was quicker to loose balls, better on the glass, and indeed, the more disruptive team, as evident by their nine turnovers forced and 17 fastbreak points through the first 20 minutes.

 

But something changed at the half.

Las Vegas charged out of the locker room by scoring the first six points, which eventually turned into a 19-6 advantage over the first few minutes of the half. Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson had set the tone on both ends of the court, and a Wilson and-one got the crowd fully back into the game, trimming their deficit to just six points. Simply put, the Aces looked like a totally different team than the one that took the court in quarters one and two. That is until they didn’t.

It took just over three minutes of play for Atlanta to put a dagger in Las Vegas‘ ferocious comeback attempt. From six to 14, the lead ballooned, and the quick three-minute stretch ended up being the most telling stretch of play. The Dream needed to put the game out of reach for good.

Tiffany Hayes‘ 31 points led all scorers on the night and allowed Atlanta just its second win against an above .500 team.

 

NOTES

• Atlanta made 15 of 24 3-pointers. In the Aces‘ eight losses this season, they have allowed double-digit 3-point makes in six of them.
• Rhyne Howard made six 3-pointers, which tied a career-high.

 

KEY PERFORMERS

A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) – 22 PTS, 10 REBS, 5 ASTS, 3 STLS, 4 BLKS

Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces) – 18 PTS, 5 REBS, 6 ASTS, 2 STLS, 3/7 3PT

Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces) – 17 PTS, 7 ASTS, 3/7 3PT

Tiffany Hayes (Atlanta Dream) – 31 PTS, 3 REBS, 1 STL, 4/5 3PT

Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) – 24 PTS, 5 REBS, 3 ASTS, 2 STLS, 3 BLKS, 6/9 3PT

Aari McDonald (Atlanta Dream) – 11 PTS, 2 ASTS, 2/2 3PT

 

The Aces be right back at it at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Thursday, July 21st at 7 pm PST. They’ll face the Indiana Fever, who enter the contest at the bottom of the WNBA standings. Vegas will need to get back in the win column to keep pace with the first-place Chicago Sky and avoid dropping to third in the standings. Check back here Friday morning for the recap.

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-Cole Huff– Franchise Sports Media