3 takeaways from Aces’ win: Streak hits 13 against WNBA’s top team
The Aces, facing a team that embarrassed them most of this season, redeemed themselves in the best possible fashion Thursday.
They defeated the Minnesota Lynx 97-87 at T-Mobile Arena for their 13th straight win, a new franchise record. The Aces’ 97 points were also the most scored against the Lynx this season.
Three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who told her teammates not to come back to the gym if they were OK with the embarrassing 53-point loss they took in their last matchup with Minnesota on Aug. 2, scored 31 points in the victory.
When reminded postgame that Aces coach Becky Hammon said the team was like a pack of hungry wolves early in the season, Wilson grinned.
“I think we’re still baby wolves right now, but it took us a minute to get there,” Wilson said. “We’re slowly climbing up that mountaintop together and leaving no one behind.”
Guard Jackie Young added 20 points for the Aces. Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier, the betting favorite to win this year’s MVP award over Wilson, had 12 points and six rebounds.
The Aces (27-14) moved back into second place in the WNBA standings with the win with three games remaining in the regular season. That’s a major turnaround after the team was 14-14 and in eighth place in early August. The Lynx (32-9) have already clinched first place.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
1. Wilson shines
From conversations between fans on their way to the game, to questions from reporters in the pregame news conference, there was no avoiding the idea that Wilson and Collier would be competing for the upper hand in the WNBA MVP race as soon as the ball was tipped Thursday.
But Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said she wasn’t “buying” the idea that the outcome would be a referendum for the award.
“MVP is typically a body of work,” Reeve said. “I think it’s a really fun reason to watch the game.”
Regardless, Wilson came out and played like her chance to win a record fourth MVP was on the line.
She scored 10 points in the first quarter while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field. Her hot start included a block on an attempted driving layup by Collier.
It was a tight game with seven lead changes, but Wilson drew loud “MVP” chants after hitting a 3-pointer that put the Aces up 10 points with 5:38 left to play.
“Just another day at the office,” Wilson said.
2. Competing with a contender
The Aces, in their fourth game against the Lynx this season, finally looked like they belonged on the same court as Minnesota.
They showed grit at various points. The Aces held a narrow 47-44 lead at halftime but went on a 14-6 run in the third quarter to go up 63-55 with five minutes left in the frame. Minnesota ultimately cut the lead to 63-62 and trailed by just four points entering the fourth quarter. The Aces still maintained their composure and closed out the win.
“We sustained runs, we matched them,” point guard Chelsea Gray said. “I think those kinds of habits are what builds championship teams. Rather than looking down the road too far, it’s just building those daily habits. … And so here today, we showed some fight.”
3. More in the tank
The Aces now have the WNBA’s longest winning streak since the Connecticut Sun won 14 straight in 2021.
Hammon, who was part of a 12-game winning streak with the franchise as a player, said she’ll let the media and the fans “keep track” of the wins. She thinks her team can keep rolling as long as it moves the ball like it did Thursday.
“This gas tank is not tapped out yet,” Hammon said. “We’re slowly getting there offensively. But this is kind of how I envisioned this team offensively. All year, I’ve always thought they’re capable of 95 to 100 (points). Now, that means you’re playing extremely fast. You’re playing extremely efficient on both ends, and you saw what that looks like tonight.”
Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.
