Plum, Wilson help the Aces rout the Sun 102-84 in a matchup of the WNBA’s top teams #Plum #Wilson #Aces #rout #Sun #matchup #WNBAs #top #teams

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kelsey Plum scored 25 points and A’ja Wilson added 23 points and 12 rebounds to help the Las Vegas Aces rout the Connecticut Sun 102-84 on Saturday in a matchup of the top two teams in the WNBA.

It was the eighth straight victory for the Aces (15-1), who avenged their only loss of the season. Connecticut (12-5) was able to win that game because of a career-high and franchise-record 41 points by DeWanna Bonner. Las Vegas hasn’t lost since thanks in big part to the play of Wilson, the league’s reigning MVP.

She had another strong game one day after signing a two-year contract extension.

Chicago Sky coach and general manager James Wade is stepping down to take an assistant coaching job with the Toronto Raptors.

Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas (25) celebrates a basket against the New York Liberty with Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sarah Gordon/The Day via AP)

WNBA career triple-double leader Alyssa Thomas of Connecticut was selected an All-Star reserve by the league’s coaches.

Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) shoots a layup past New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

A’ja Wilson has signed a two-year extension with the Las Vegas Aces, the team announced Friday. Wilson led the team to its first WNBA championship last season and has helped the team to a 14-1 record this year.

New York Liberty forward Kayla Thornton (5) is fouled by Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kelsey Plum scored 18 points and the Las Vegas Aces routed the New York Liberty 98-81 on Thursday night in the first meeting between two of the top teams in the WNBA.

Just as they did against New York two days earlier, the Aces blew open the game at the start of the third quarter. Las Vegas scored the first 17 points of the period to turn a 11-point advantage to 76-48.

The Sun finally ended the run with DiJonai Carrington’s 3-pointer with 4:31 left in the third quarter. Things got worse for Connecticut a minute later when Tiffany Hayes was ejected by official Clare Aubry when the Sun guard made money signs after she was called for a foul.

Connecticut never recovered.

Alyssa Thomas, who had a triple-double in each of their previous two games and became the career leader in the stat with five now in the regular season, had 12 points, 11 assists and five rebounds for the Sun.

Bonner finished with 19 points. Both were also chosen as All-Star reserves Saturday.

Plum, who was the MVP of last year’s All-Star Game also was picked as a reserve. She helped Las Vegas get out a strong start again with 10 points in the first quarter.

The coaches Saturday will be back in two weeks coaching in the All-Star Game on July 15. Becky Hammon will be coaching the game for the second consecutive year, leading Wilson’s team. Stephanie White will be coaching in the game for the first time when she leads Breanna Stewart’s squad.


#Plum #Wilson #Aces #rout #Sun #matchup #WNBAs #top #teams

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