The Las Vegas Aces secured a thrilling 103-99 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in a high-octane matchup. Jackie Young shined with a career-high 34 points, including 21 in the second quarter, while A’ja Wilson dominated with 32 points and 15 rebounds. The dynamic duo became only the third pair in franchise history to each score over 30 points in a game.
Wilson’s impressive performance also saw her breaking the WNBA record for scoring 25-plus points in eight consecutive games, surpassing Tina Charles’ previous record of seven. On the Phoenix side, Brittney Griner contributed 25 points and nine rebounds, Diana Taurasi added 22 points, and Kahleah Copper chipped in with 18 points.
Despite a slow start with a season-low of 12 points in the first quarter, Las Vegas exploded in the second quarter, scoring 42 points, including a perfect 10 for 10 shooting from the 3-point range, to take a 54-51 lead at halftime. Young’s five 3-pointers in the second quarter were crucial in the Aces’ turnaround.
Alysha Clark’s clutch 3-pointer and free throws in the closing minutes helped secure the victory for Las Vegas, with Plum adding 16 points to the winning effort. Wilson’s flawless performance from the free-throw line, going 11 for 11, played a significant role in the Aces’ success, as they finished with an impressive 24 of 25 free throws made.
Notably, Diana Taurasi set a new record with 21 games of scoring at least 20 points at the age of 40 or older, surpassing the legendary Michael Jordan for the most such games in NBA or WNBA history.
The thrilling matchup between the Las Vegas Aces and the Phoenix Mercury showcased the incredible talent and determination of both teams, with standout performances from Young, Wilson, Griner, and Taurasi. The game will be remembered as a highlight of the season, with Las Vegas emerging victorious after a hard-fought battle on the court.