Recaps: Aces move into first place after routing Sparks

The Las Vegas Aces (12-4) moved into first place in the WNBA by routing the Los Angeles Sparks (6-9) 99-75. Jackie Young was the top point-getter for the Aces with 18 points and was quite active in all facets of the game, recording five assists, five rebounds and three steals.

The Aces improve to 6-2 in in conference play which gives them the edge in the battle for the top spot in the league over the Seattle Storm (12-4) who are 5-3 in conference play and have dropped their last two games.

The Aces had a total of six players score in double digits, with A’ja Wilson recording her seventh double-double this year with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Liz Cambage contributed her sixth double-double of the year with 13 points and 11 rebounds. All nine of the players that played for Las Vegas scored in the win.

For the Sparks, Amanda Zahui B was the game-high scorer with 22 points and nine rebounds. She was 9-of-20 from the field. Los Angeles did have three double-figure scorers, but they shot 34.1 percent from the field as a team. The Sparks’ poor shooting allowed the Aces to win the defensive rebounding battle 43-29 and the rebounding battle 55-39.

The Sparks had a lead as large as four points at three separate points in the first quarter but were never able to expand on it. The Aces went ahead 18-17 with four minutes left in the opening period and would never relinquish the lead. Las Vegas led by as many as 26 points.

Other action

Chicago Sky (10-8) over Dallas Wings (8-9), 91-81

The Sky led wire-to-wire and had seven different players score in double figures, a franchise record. They were led by Kahleah Copper who scored 17 points and recorded seven rebounds. Additionally, Chicago had two players record double-doubles as Candace Parker scored 10 points while nabbing 10 boards and Courtney Vandersloot recorded 12 points, 10 assists and four steals.

The Sky led by as many as 30 points but the Wings were able to pull within as close as seven early in the fourth quarter. The Sky recovered and closed out the game to earn their eighth win in their last 10 games.

In a losing effort, Isabelle Harrison was the game’s scoring leader with 23 points while Arike Ogunbowale scored 22 points. Ogunbowale’s performance is her 54th consecutive game with at least 10 points, which is tied for the sixth-best streak in league history.

Minnesota Lynx (8-7) over Phoenix Mercury (7-8), 82-76

Kayla McBride led the Lynx with a season-high 26 points on a season-best 9-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-7 on 3-point shots.

The Mercury opened up an 11-point lead through the middle of the first quarter which was completely erased by the Lynx by the 5:10 mark of the second quarter. Minnesota opened up an 11-point lead of its own in the third quarter, which the Mercury would cut to as little as four in the fourth, but Minnesota would see out the game.

Napheesa Collier and Sylvia Fowles scored 19 and 15 points, respectively, while each hauled in 11 rebounds. Additionally, Layshia Clarendon scored 12 points, their fifth game in double-figure scoring this season.

Britney Griner scored a game-high 28 points and recorded seven rebounds, marking her seventh 20-point game this season. Skylar Diggins-Smith contributed 16 points in the loss. Diana Taurasi scored 10 points and was 2-of-14 from the field and 1-of-8 from beyond the arc.

Up Next

The Sky and Wings will face each other again on Friday in Dallas at 8 p.m. ET. The Aces and the Sparks meet again on Friday in LA at 10 p.m. ET. The Lynx will stay in Phoenix to play the Mercury again on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.