A’ja Wilson Double-Double: Aces Beat Mercury, Extend Winning Streak
Aces Extend Win Streak to Nine, Dominate mercury 83-61
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Las Vegas Continues Ascent
LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Aces showcased their dominance on Thursday night, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 83-61 to secure their ninth consecutive victory.A’ja Wilson led the charge with 19 points adn 13 rebounds, while Dana Evans contributed a strong 17 points off the bench. This win pushes the Aces’ record to 23-14, solidifying their position as a force in the league.
Aces’ Balanced Attack Proves Too much
The Aces’ victory wasn’t a one-person show. Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and NaLyssa Smith each added 12 points to the scoreboard, demonstrating the team’s depth and balanced scoring ability. Wilson, despite seeing her streak of 30-point games end at three, still managed to record her 18th double-double of the season, highlighting her consistent impact on the game.
Phoenix struggled to find an answer for the Aces’ offensive firepower. Satou Sabally led the Mercury with 15 points, and Alyssa Thomas contributed a solid performance with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Aces’ relentless attack. The Mercury were held to a season-low 61 points, shooting just 31% from the field.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The Aces seized control early, sparked by a three-pointer from Kierstan Bell that ignited a 7-0 run, giving them a 23-17 led at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, a series of key plays by Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young extended the Aces’ lead to 14 points at halftime. The Aces continued to build on their advantage in the third quarter, with Evans and Gray answering a basket by Sabally with crucial scores of their own, pushing the lead to double digits and effectively sealing the victory.
A notable moment came in the third quarter when Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper left the game with a rib injury following a collision with A’ja Wilson and did not return. This further hampered the Mercury’s chances of mounting a comeback.
Looking Ahead
The Aces will look to continue their winning streak as they travel to Washington to face the Mystics on Saturday. The Mercury will return home to host the Golden State Sparks on Friday, seeking to rebound from this decisive defeat.