Aces Fall to Lynx 98-87 as Minnesota Pulls Away in Second Half

The Las Vegas Aces fell 98-87 to the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday after a competitive first half gave way to a strong second-half performance from Minnesota. The Aces kept the game within reach for much of the afternoon, but the Lynx used their defensive pressure and offensive execution to create separation after halftime.

The teams were tied at 25 after the opening quarter, with both sides trading runs. Minnesota took a 28-25 lead after one behind Kayla McBride’s perimeter shooting and Olivia Miles’ late three-pointer. Las Vegas responded in the second quarter, with Jackie Young scoring 10 points in the first half while A’ja Wilson and NaLyssa Smith helped keep the Aces within striking distance. Minnesota ultimately carried a 49-45 lead into halftime after another three-pointer from Miles late in the second quarter.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point. Miles continued to attack offensively, while Napheesa Collier found her rhythm from beyond the arc. Collier connected on two three-pointers during the period, including back-to-back triples late in the quarter, as Minnesota extended its lead to 73-62 heading into the fourth.

A major challenge for Las Vegas was Minnesota’s defensive attention on Wilson. The Lynx consistently brought multiple defenders toward Wilson when she received the ball, forcing the Aces to make decisions against a crowded defense. Hammon described the approach as “swarm ball” and said Las Vegas did not do enough to counter it.

“They dared us to pass today, and we just didn’t pass the ball well enough to beat a good defensive team today,” Hammon said. “Instead of anticipating those double and triple teams coming, we ran to them, let them double and triple team, and then tried to pass it out.”

The pressure contributed to 16 Aces turnovers, which Minnesota converted into 22 points. Hammon said the Aces’ execution against Minnesota’s defensive pressure was a major issue throughout the game.

Las Vegas continued to battle in the fourth quarter and briefly cut into Minnesota’s lead. Young knocked down a three-pointer with 2:15 remaining to make it 90-83, and Dana Evans followed with a pull-up jumper to cut the deficit to seven points again with 1:39 remaining. Minnesota responded with Miles’ driving finger-roll layup and Howard’s putback in the final minute to close out the victory.

Young led the Aces with 23 points, shooting 6-for-13 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Wilson finished with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Smith recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds. Chelsea Gray added nine points and six assists, and Evans contributed 11 points off the bench.

Minnesota was led by Miles, who finished with 26 points on 11-for-23 shooting, including 3-for-7 from three-point range, along with seven assists and four rebounds. Collier added 22 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks, while Natasha Howard finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. McBride scored 15 points, including four three-pointers, and Courtney Williams contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Both teams shot 43.5 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from three-point range. Minnesota, however, made 17 of 18 free throws and took advantage of the Aces’ turnovers to help create the difference.

Hammon also pointed to Minnesota’s ability to establish an offensive rhythm early, particularly McBride and Collier.

“I thought our first quarter defense was atrocious,” Hammon said. “So you had K-Mac feeling real good. You had Phee feeling real good. Everybody feeling comfortable after that first quarter.”

Hammon also acknowledged the challenge Collier presents, particularly with the Minnesota forward entering the game as an MVP candidate.

“She’s an MVP candidate. You have to try to make her look difficult and tough,” Hammon said.

Ultimately, Hammon called the defensive performance one of the Aces’ poorest in terms of execution this season.

“This was probably one of our poorest execution games defensively that we’ve had all year,” Hammon said.

The Aces will have little time to regroup. Las Vegas will travel to New York to face the New York Liberty on Sunday, August 9, with tipoff scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Hammon indicated that the quick turnaround and workload could lead to changes in the Aces’ rotation.

“There’s going to be some rotation things for sure,” Hammon said. “There’s just too many minutes on our players.”

Las Vegas will look to respond quickly when it takes the court in New York.