Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon calls out to players during the first half of an WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena in Mandalay Bay Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
Published Friday, May 31, 2024 | 7:07 p.m.
Updated Friday, May 31, 2024 | 7:52 p.m.
Buckets were hard to find on Friday in Atlanta as the Las Vegas Aces (4-2) suffered their second loss of the season, falling to the Dream (4-2), 78-74.
It’s the Aces first loss in Atlanta since Sep. 5, 2019.
“We didn’t want to do the little things, and it turned into ‘my turn’ type of basketball which has never been a part of us,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “A lot of 1-on-1. A lot of holding the ball and just really a poor offensive showing.”
Guard Allisha Gray boosted the Dream from 3-point range, finishing with a team-high 24 points and downing 6-of-7 shots from deep.
She powered Atlanta to 50% (8-of-16) shooting from beyond the arc. Despite a strong shooting performance from Gray, the Dream shot for just 36% (22-of-61) from the field.
Similarly, Las Vegas shot for 36% (25-of-69) from the field, 7% lower than its season average of 43%. From 3-point range, the Aces shot just 28% (6-of-21).
“A lot of the things we did were self-inflicted,” guard Kelsey Plum said. “Give credit to them. They had a great game plan. They loaded the pain. Anytime A [A’ja Wilson] caught the ball, people either doubled her or were really digging hard.”
The Aces also sent the Dream to the line 29 times, collecting 26 points off free throws.
Wilson saw her five-game double-double streak snapped, finishing with 28 points and nine rebounds.
“We had a pretty decent defensive showing,” Wilson said. “On the offensive that’s where we got away from our system…Offensively we just kind of didn’t have it.”
Plum followed with 19 points and Jackie Young had 15.
The Aces wrap up their three-game road trip on Wednesday at 5 p.m. PST when they travel to Dallas (NBA TV). It’s set to be another competitive matchup as the Wings narrowly fell to the undefeated Connecticut Sun on Saturday, 74-72.
Dallas (3-3) also boasts the leading scorer in the WNBA, Arike Ogunbowale, who is averaging 28 points a game. Wilson follows her with 26.2 points.
“When you compete at a high level, you’re gonna win some, you’re gonna lose some and you’ve gotta learn from it and keep pushing,” Plum said. “It’s a tough league, we’re on the road, and it’s news if we lose at this point.”