The Aces defeated the Golden State Valkyries 84-79 after a season-high performance from Jackie Young to claim their first win of the season in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Young, who had two games earlier this season in which she was held scoreless, has now gone four consecutive games with at least 15 points, including against the Valkyries when she scored 27 points, hitting six 3-pointers.
“I mean, there was never a doubt with Jackie Young in my mind,” Aces head coach Becky Hammon said. “I see her work too much, and I have an unbelievable belief in her.
“So, you know, there’s a human element where life is life, and they have to work through that stuff, and you just try to support and encourage along the way, but her work is too good. It was just a matter of time.”
This is the second time this season that Young has recorded over 20 points, and the last time was when these two teams met previously in San Francisco, where the Aces won 91-81 as one of their six road wins.
“I was just going through it a little bit, and it’s hard to do what I do on the court whenever you’re feeling heavy, and so just trying to kind of balance the two,” Young said. “I just had to take some time and get back to myself, but my teammates were there for me throughout the process.
“At the end of the day, I’m human, and we go through stuff. I don’t think it was necessarily like a basketball thing. I’ve been putting in the work.”
Complementing Young’s performance, A’ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 28 points and 14 rebounds as the Aces moved to 7-3 on the season and tied the Dallas Wings for the second-best record in the league.
The matchup with the Valkyries included the return of former Aces center and three-time WNBA champion Kiah Stokes to Michelob Ultra Arena after departing this past offseason.
Stokes was a big reason why the Valkyries held the Aces to just 20 points in the paint when Las Vegas entered averaging a WNBA-leading 46 points around the basket per game.
Despite their difficulties down low, the Aces shot 43 percent from beyond the arc, almost 10 percent higher than their average clip this season.
Aces guard Chelsea Gray had six assists in the victory to break the all-time franchise record for total assists with 1,134, passing Hammon.
“It’s a testament to all the players that I’ve been able to play with,” Gray said. “I’ve played with some great players, and I’m currently playing with great players, and so you need a little help to get those assists.
“I’m just blessed to be in the position that I am healthy, having fun doing it, and enjoying the moment.”
Gabby Williams led the way for Golden State in scoring, posting 27 points and six rebounds while shooting 58.8 percent from the field. Following back-to-back losses on the road, the Valkyries are now 6-5 on the season and have lost three out of their last four games.
The Aces will look to extend their winning streak to four games on Monday when they play the Seattle Storm at Michelob Ultra Arena at 7 p.m.
