Home sweet home.
The Las Vegas Aces returned to Michelob Ultra Arena after going 2-3 during a season-long five-game road trip and rediscovered their footing, defeating the Washington Mystics 86-76 on Tuesday night.
A’ja Wilson posted a game-high 26 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, for her 17th double-double of the season leading the Aces to their third consecutive home win. Las Vegas snapped Washington’s seven-game winning streak and ended its own two-game losing streak.
The four-time MVP is just three blocks away from reaching 600 for her career. Wilson would become just the sixth player in WNBA history to reach the milestone as she continues her pursuit of a fourth Defensive Player of the Year award.
Guard Jackie Young finished with 25 points and eight assists, including nine consecutive points in the first quarter that erased an 11-5 Mystics lead.
Young’s hot streak sparked a 17-8 run to close the opening quarter and helped her become the 27th player in WNBA history to reach 4,000 points and 1,000 assists. Young accomplished the feat in 275 career games, making her the seventh-fastest player in league history to reach the milestone and surpassing Sheryl Swoopes, who reached it in 312 games.
The victory gave Las Vegas a measure of revenge after Washington escaped with a 100-99 win on July 22, when Shakira Austin converted a late and-1 before Chelsea Gray’s potential game-winning shot came up short at the buzzer.
Las Vegas is now a game behind the second-place Golden State Valkyries with 11 regular-season games remaining as the Aces continue their push toward an eighth consecutive postseason berth.
