The Las Vegas Aces put up big numbers Saturday night in a dramatic comeback against the Connecticut Sun, 94-90. Although Connecticut lead most of the game, the Aces dominated the 4th quarter with a 12-point epic comeback to win the game.
The team — finally at full strength with the return of Kayla McBride and Kelsey Plum from Turkey in late May— is coming together and starting to win more close games than they did earlier in the season.
It’s no big surprise McBride and surefire Rookie of the Year, A’Ja Wilson, led the way once again Saturday night with a combined 61 points. The tag team has been doing big things all season and their offense has helped the Aces compete in each game. The win over the Sun was big because it featured a dramatic team effort to turn an 11-point deficit into a four-point win.
“Obviously our two horses went off again,” Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer said after the game. “No question we’re where bread is buttered but there some other fine performances tonight.”
With the win, the Aces improved to 8-12, matching last year’s regular season win total in San Antonio.
The press has been all over the standout rookie A’Ja Wilson this season. She continues to awe both the local Las Vegas crowd and the WNBA fans around the country with her ability to score and her energy on the court. But, McBride is another standout player on track to play in the All Star Game at the end of the month.
Even “The Ringer’s” Shea Serrano, author of Basketball (And Other Things), is all-in on the Aces. He has been a beast on Twitter in support of the Aces and McBride as an All-Star.
bang
this thursday
we got four days to get Kayla McBride into the all-star game
we need like 10,000 votes
and you can vote 10 times a day
and all you gotta do is tweet "Kayla McBride #WNBAVote @WNBA"
it's going downnnnnnnnnnnnn https://t.co/mcP5pI5fCM— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) July 9, 2018
Here’s @SheaSerrano, @LVAces super fan. pic.twitter.com/pAbMvf4Hq6
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 8, 2018
McBride is in her 4th season in the WNBA. She was drafted third overall in 2014 by the San Antonio Stars and moved with the team to Las Vegas this year. In the 18 games she has played in so far this season, she has put up 342 points and 67 rebounds. She is also fifth in the league in free throw percentage with a .888 average. In the recent game against Dallas at the end of last month, she scored a career high of 38 points.
Her passion for the game shows off the court as well. She is a huge advocate for the WNBA and the women who play in it. There has been a lot of talk lately about women’s salaries compared to men’s and she has been leading the twitter conversations on the subject.
I don’t wanna hear anything or anyone who doesn’t walk in my shoes every day talking about salary in the WNBA. We deserve more. Period. If you don’t like it. Or watch it. Or whatever. Stay in your lane homie because you not out here hoopin every night. Like I Am.
— Kayla McBride (@kaymac_2123) July 2, 2018
Inform yourself on the players. The women, daughters and mothers of this league. The incredible athletes, olympians and all stars. Go to a game. Try it out. Stop sitting behind a keyboard telling me about myself and the other 143 women I work with. Bc. You know nothing
— Kayla McBride (@kaymac_2123) July 6, 2018
Throughout the season McBride has continued to get better and better. If the chemistry between McBride and Wilson grows as the season progresses, it will definitely mean more wins for the Aces.
The Aces have a three-day break this week. Their next game is at Chicago on Tuesday night. This will be the third time the Aces will play the Sky this year. In past games, the teams have split with one win each. It will be a good matchup since both teams have similar standings in the league.
