Lynx Hold Off Aces 92-87 After Late Las Vegas Rally

The Las Vegas Aces fell to the Minnesota Lynx 92-87 Saturday night at Michelob ULTRA Arena, despite a fourth-quarter rally that brought the Aces within two possessions late in the game. The matchup was tied at 48 at halftime before Minnesota used a strong third quarter to create separation.

The Aces opened the game with an early 5-0 run, but Minnesota responded and took a 23-19 lead into the second quarter. Las Vegas answered in the second, shooting 65 percent from the field and outscoring the Lynx 29-25 to even the game at halftime. A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 19 points through the first two quarters, while NaLyssa Smith had nine points and six rebounds. Chelsea Gray contributed five points and seven assists in the first half.

Wilson continued to lead the Aces offensively, finishing with 32 points on 10-of-15 shooting. She also went 11-of-12 from the free-throw line and added seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. NaLyssa Smith recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Gray finished with 12 points and nine assists. Jewell Loyd added 10 points, and Jackie Young had eight points and nine assists.

The third quarter proved to be the difference. Minnesota outscored Las Vegas 26-16 and built a 10-point lead heading into the fourth. The Lynx shot 43.8 percent from the field during the period, while the Aces struggled to find their rhythm, shooting 23.1 percent. Wilson scored 11 points in the quarter, including nine free throws, but Minnesota still entered the final period with a 74-64 advantage.

Las Vegas refused to go quietly. The Aces opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run, cutting Minnesota’s lead to 74-73 with 7:27 remaining after a Chelsea Gray pull-up jumper. The Lynx responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Napheesa Collier to push the lead back to seven. Las Vegas continued to fight, with Smith, Gray and Loyd helping keep the Aces within striking distance.

With 2:41 remaining, Loyd knocked down a three-pointer to bring Las Vegas within four at 86-82. Olivia Miles answered with a driving layup, and Minnesota maintained its advantage. Wilson then made two free throws with 1:09 remaining to cut the deficit to 88-84.

Gray gave the Aces one final push, hitting a three-pointer with 11.3 seconds remaining to make it 90-87. Minnesota answered with two free throws from Collier, and Gray’s final pass went out of bounds with 8.3 seconds remaining as the Lynx closed out the 92-87 victory.

Minnesota was led by Olivia Miles, who finished with 23 points and eight assists. Collier added 19 points and six rebounds, while Natasha Howard had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Kayla McBride and Nia Coffey each scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The Aces finished the game shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three-point range. Minnesota shot 50 percent overall and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. Las Vegas also held advantages in fast-break points, 9-3, while Minnesota led in points in the paint, 32-30, and second-chance points, 16-12.

The Aces’ fourth-quarter comeback made the finish competitive, but Minnesota’s third-quarter surge ultimately proved to be the difference in the 92-87 final.