Hoops Happening: Today in women’s basketball — Monday May 7, 2018

In the first day of WNBA play, A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces put to rest any doubts that its rookie-filled roster can’t contend with the best teams in the league. In fact, newness may be the team’s biggest strength because of the fearlessness that comes with being bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Wilson finished with 20 points and 7 rebounds in her WNBA Las Vegas Aces debut.

And here are the results from all of Sunday’s preseason matchups:

Washington Mystics (90) vs. Minnesota Lynx (85)

The Mystics showed that when the majority of players get it done on both ends of the floor, the team can win. Monique Currie finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, while Myisha Hines-Allen contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. Also in double-digit scoring for the night were Elena Delle Donne with 11 and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt with 17. The high-scorer for the Lynx was Danielle Robinson with 18 points; Maya Moore did not play. Both teams had a ton of turnovers: 14 for the Mystics and 20 for the Lynx.

Atlanta Dream (78) vs. Chicago Sky (61)

Most notable about the Dream’s play was the even distribution across the stat chart, with players Elizabeth Williams, Brittany Sykes and Renee Montgomery having strong showings. Williams finished with 11 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. Montgomery, however, came up big in other categories — dishing a team-high 7 assists and grabbing a team-high 3 steals. Sykes tallied 7 points and 5 rebounds; she also shot 100% from the free-throw line.

China National Team (63) vs. Las Vegas Aces (98)

Wilson was the team’s leading scorer, with 20 points off of 72.7% shooting from the field. Tamera Young, Ivey Slaughter and Nia Coffey also contributed big on the offensive end. But the team tallied 13 turnovers for the game, with three of those rolling off the fingertips of Sydney Colson. Kelsey Plum did not play.

Up next ...

Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever

Today — Monday May 7 at 12:30 EST

Bankers Life Fieldhouse — Tickets

Other happenings in women’s hoops

The Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell is a college graduate

Geno Auriemma poses with newly graduated Huskies

Links Appeal

• With a floor like this, Aces threaten to become biggest show in Vegas
• Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich throws full support behind Becky Hammon
• WNBA rookies share their favorite basketball movies (What are yours?)
• DeWanna Bonner and Diana Taurasi are greeted to a standing ovation — at practice
• Maybe AI would’ve had better practice habits if fans had greeted him the way the X Factor greets DB + DT ... (Just sayin’ ...)
• Katie Smith, first-year head coach with the New York Liberty, discussed team progress, prospects for the season