Young has 32, Wilson 27 and Gray returns to help Aces defeat Storm 94-83
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Wed, Jun 26, 2024
Young Scores 32, Wilson Adds 27, and Gray Returns to Propel Aces to 94-83 Victory Over Storm
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jackie Young scored 32 points, A’ja Wilson added 27, and the Las Vegas Aces celebrated the return of All-Star point guard Chelsea Gray by defeating the Seattle Storm 94-83 on Wednesday night.
Gray, a five-time All-Star and 2020 Olympic gold medalist who will head to the Paris Games next month, contributed seven assists, four rebounds, and two blocks, scoring one point in 15:30 minutes. Gray has been instrumental in the Aces' success, including their clinching victory last year when Las Vegas beat the Liberty for their second-straight championship.
“Man, I missed this game so much. Never taking it for granted,” Gray said. “It’s a long journey, lots of crying, lots of sleepless nights, a lot of conversations. I’m so thankful to be back on this court.”
Kelsey Plum scored 11 points for Las Vegas (7-6), which led by double figures from the 1:53 mark of the first quarter and by as many as 20 points. Tiffany Hayes added 10 points, and Alysha Clark contributed 10 off the bench.
Young missed her career-high by two points, and Wilson scored 16 in the fourth quarter, marking her 20th consecutive game with at least 20 points. The Aces shot 56% (35 of 63) for the game, with 25 assists on their 35 baskets.
Nneka Ogwumike scored 21 points for the Storm (9-6). Ezi Magbegor added 19 points with 13 rebounds, Jordan Horston contributed 18 points, and Skylar Diggins-Smith had 10. Jewell Loyd, who led the league in scoring last season at more than 24 points per game and came in averaging just under 20, missed nine shots and was held to a single point, ending a streak of 55 games in double figures. Loyd also scored one point in a loss to Las Vegas on Aug. 7, 2022.
Gray entered the game to a standing ovation with 1:41 to play in the first quarter, helping to extend the lead to 26-13.
“A lot of love from the fans,” said Gray, the ninth WNBA player to reach 1,500 assists. “They were amazing.”
The Aces led 29-16 at the end of the first quarter. With Young pouring in 19 points, the Aces led 47-32 at halftime. Ogwumike had 12 points for the Storm, who committed 10 turnovers and shot 41%.
The Aces extended their lead to 19, 59-40, in the third quarter when Plum hit a 3-pointer, followed by a layup, and Wilson’s layup made it 61-42. Ogwumike hit a 3-pointer, and Magbegor converted a 3-point play inside the final two minutes, allowing the Storm to close within 66-54 entering the fourth quarter.
The lead was at 20 when Plum fed Wilson for a layup with 4:21 to go. Seattle made a surge to cut the deficit to 11 with 2 1/2 minutes to play but got no closer.
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AP WNBA:
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jackie Young scored 32 points, A’ja Wilson added 27, and the Las Vegas Aces celebrated the return of All-Star point guard Chelsea Gray by defeating the Seattle Storm 94-83 on Wednesday night.
Gray, a five-time All-Star and 2020 Olympic gold medalist who will head to the Paris Games next month, contributed seven assists, four rebounds, and two blocks, scoring one point in 15:30 minutes. Gray has been instrumental in the Aces' success, including their clinching victory last year when Las Vegas beat the Liberty for their second-straight championship.
“Man, I missed this game so much. Never taking it for granted,” Gray said. “It’s a long journey, lots of crying, lots of sleepless nights, a lot of conversations. I’m so thankful to be back on this court.”
Kelsey Plum scored 11 points for Las Vegas (7-6), which led by double figures from the 1:53 mark of the first quarter and by as many as 20 points. Tiffany Hayes added 10 points, and Alysha Clark contributed 10 off the bench.
Young missed her career-high by two points, and Wilson scored 16 in the fourth quarter, marking her 20th consecutive game with at least 20 points. The Aces shot 56% (35 of 63) for the game, with 25 assists on their 35 baskets.
Nneka Ogwumike scored 21 points for the Storm (9-6). Ezi Magbegor added 19 points with 13 rebounds, Jordan Horston contributed 18 points, and Skylar Diggins-Smith had 10. Jewell Loyd, who led the league in scoring last season at more than 24 points per game and came in averaging just under 20, missed nine shots and was held to a single point, ending a streak of 55 games in double figures. Loyd also scored one point in a loss to Las Vegas on Aug. 7, 2022.
Gray entered the game to a standing ovation with 1:41 to play in the first quarter, helping to extend the lead to 26-13.
“A lot of love from the fans,” said Gray, the ninth WNBA player to reach 1,500 assists. “They were amazing.”
The Aces led 29-16 at the end of the first quarter. With Young pouring in 19 points, the Aces led 47-32 at halftime. Ogwumike had 12 points for the Storm, who committed 10 turnovers and shot 41%.
The Aces extended their lead to 19, 59-40, in the third quarter when Plum hit a 3-pointer, followed by a layup, and Wilson’s layup made it 61-42. Ogwumike hit a 3-pointer, and Magbegor converted a 3-point play inside the final two minutes, allowing the Storm to close within 66-54 entering the fourth quarter.
The lead was at 20 when Plum fed Wilson for a layup with 4:21 to go. Seattle made a surge to cut the deficit to 11 with 2 1/2 minutes to play but got no closer.
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AP WNBA:
LA Sparks Rookie Cameron Brink Tears ACL in Left Knee
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Los Angeles rookie Cameron Brink tore the ACL in her left knee, the Sparks announced Wednesday.
The rookie forward had to be helped off the court after suffering the injury in the first quarter of the Sparks’ 79-70 loss to Connecticut on Tuesday night. Brink played under four minutes and committed one foul before getting hurt.
Once over to the sideline, the No. 2 pick in the draft hobbled toward the locker room but was forced to stop due to the pain. A pair of Sparks personnel lifted Brink off her feet and carried her to the locker room.
“You never think it will happen to you. And despite all the hard work, sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom, but I know it will only make me stronger,” Brink said. “I will not be derailed, and I will continue to love this life — I’m not defined by basketball, but it is something that I love deeply, and I will work every day to get back to it. It’s not goodbye basketball; it’s just a see you later. I’m always so thankful for your thoughts and prayers.”
The 22-year-old Brink came into the game averaging 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in her first season for Los Angeles (4-11). She’s tied with A’ja Wilson for the second-most blocks in the WNBA.
“Except for the 2019 season, I’ve lost a starter to injury every single year I’ve been a head coach in this league,” Curt Miller said. “You just have to have the mentality of the next person up and rally around it.”
Brink is on the U.S. 3x3 team for the Paris Olympics, and a replacement will have to be named for her.
“Our thoughts are with Cameron as we wish her a speedy recovery. As a result of Cam’s injury, USA Basketball will begin the process of selecting an athlete to join the 2024 USA 3x3 Women’s National Team,” USA Basketball said in a statement. “We hope to see Cam back on the court and representing the red, white, and blue soon.”
It’s the second consecutive Olympics that the U.S. team will have to replace one of its original players. Katie Lou Samuelson missed the 2021 Tokyo Games after she caught COVID right before the Olympics. She was replaced by Jackie Young, who helped the team go on to win a gold medal.
The Sparks head to New York to play two games against the Liberty on Thursday and Saturday.
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AP WNBA:
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