A’ja Wilson Shines as Las Vegas Aces Secure First Road Win of 2024

A’ja Wilson delivered an outstanding performance Wednesday night, scoring 29 points and grabbing 15 rebounds to notch her fifth consecutive double-double, leading the Las Vegas Aces to an 80-66 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. The win marks the Aces’ first road triumph of the 2024 WNBA season.

Wilson, the heart and soul of the two-time defending champions, was dominant on both ends of the court. She added four blocks, two steals, and three assists, shooting 11 of 23 from the floor to spearhead the Aces’ (4-1) victory. Jackie Young also played a crucial role, contributing 19 points and 10 assists, while Kelsey Plum chipped in with 10 points and six assists.

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Napheesa Collier led the Lynx (4-2) with 18 points and 13 rebounds, securing her fourth double-double in six games. The UConn alum also achieved a personal milestone by collecting her 1,000th career rebound during the game. Minnesota also saw solid contributions from Kayla McBride with 11 points and Courtney Williams with 12 points.

The Aces faced an early challenge when Williams hit a pullup jumper to give the Lynx a brief lead in the first quarter. However, Las Vegas quickly regained control after a timeout, with Young’s pullup jumper followed by a three-pointer from Kate Martin.

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Minnesota briefly took the lead again in the second quarter with a three-pointer from Alanna Smith. But the Aces responded with a 13-3 run to close out the first half, capped by a three-pointer from Plum, and never looked back.

The Lynx narrowed the gap to just one point in the third quarter but couldn’t sustain their momentum. The Aces pulled away in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to as much as 17 points.

Las Vegas dominated the paint, outscoring Minnesota 32-18 and winning the rebounding battle 41-36. Despite missing key players Chelsea Gray (lower left leg injury) and Kierstan Bell (right leg injury), the Aces showcased their depth and resilience.

The victory extends Las Vegas’ dominance over Minnesota, making it 9-1 in their last ten meetings. The Aces will face the Lynx again on June 11, this time on their home court.