LAS VEGAS -- Fresh off the All-Star break and eager to keep their momentum alive, the Aces were looking for their third straight win - and they got it, securing an 87-72 victory over the Atlanta Dream.
All-Star A’ja Wilson set the tone early for the Aces and maintained that energy throughout the game, recording her third consecutive double-double in the process, posting 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Las Vegas shot an efficient 44.9% from the field and 90.5% from the free-throw line, while holding Atlanta to just 38.5% shooting. The Aces dominated the glass with a 34–31 rebounding edge, and their defense forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 24 points.
The Aces outscored the Dream in each of the final three quarters and closed strong with a 20–13 fourth quarter to improve their record to 12–11 for the season, the first time they have been over .500 since June 13, when they were 5-4.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
DANA KEEPS DELIVERING
Dana Evans continues to be a spark off the bench for the Aces, delivering timely offense and energy. In just under 23 minutes of play, Evans scored 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including a clutch 3-pointer and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. Her second-quarter performance was especially pivotal, scoring 11 of her points in that frame alone, helping flip the momentum and erase an early deficit. Evans also added two steals and two assists, showcasing her impact on both ends of the floor.
“They've been very helpful in this process and this journey,” Evans said about her teammates. “With me starting the season, I feel like I was struggling, trying to figure out when to attack, when to set the offense up, and when to do what. So just having that mindset of getting to the basket, getting into the paint, and making things shake. I feel like me and A’ja play really well in a pick and roll. She's such a great pick and pop player. So just being smart with that and taking what the defense gives me.”
And where might her confidence come from?
“I would say it really just comes from God," she said. "Because I feel like when I really put my all into Him and I focus on Him and glorify Him, then everything just flows. I feel like I'm in a better state of mind right now, and I feel like my peace has really been coming from God - so that's where my confidence is coming from.”
CLOSING GAMES OUT
The Aces showed poise and control in the fourth quarter, outscoring Atlanta by seven to seal the win. Wilson led the charge with eight points in the final frame, while NaLyssa Smith added a key jumper at the 6:54 mark to push the lead back to double digits. Jackie Young’s steady hand at the line and a late assist to Wilson helped maintain the cushion. The Aces’ defense tightened up as well, holding the Dream to just 33.3% shooting in the quarter and forcing three turnovers to close the door.
“I thought finishing the games, that’s something that we focus on, something that we haven’t done a lot of times, you know, in Dallas and then a couple of other games,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said. “But we’ve got to be able to finish games. A big part of that is taking care of the ball. Turnovers have been an issue a lot of times in that fourth quarter. So I was pleased tonight. To only hold them to 13 points in the fourth quarter is a lot of really great work by all five.”
BRINGING MOMENTUM ON THE ROAD
Las Vegas carried its momentum into this home matchup with a sense of urgency, knowing it was in eighth place, and with only eight teams making the playoffs. The Aces' balanced scoring attack, featuring four players in double figures, and a dominant 44.9% shooting night set the tone. With this win, Las Vegas not only extended its win streak to three but also built confidence heading into a tough road stretch. The Aces close out July with four games in six days, including back-to-back against the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx on Thursday and Friday.
“I think this one was just really important to finish off,” Hammon said. “Obviously, coming out of the All-Star break, I wanted to make sure everybody came back and all on the same page. And again, that constant pursuit of excellence, not perfection, but excellence. So that’s been the message - just keep getting better.”