Aces down Wings in Dallas as Loyd comes off bench

The Las Vegas Aces made their most significant lineup change of the season ahead of Sunday’s 106-80 victory over the Dallas Wings. 

Coach Becky Hammon decided to send struggling trade acquisition Jewel Loyd off the bench for the first time, obliging to a suggestion Loyd made earlier in the season on her own accord. 

Loyd responded to the demotion like the professional she is, recording just her fourth 20-point game of the season on 6-of-11 shooting despite playing just 19 minutes off the bench. Loyd’s 54.5 percent field goal percentage marked the first time she shot over 50 percent from the field in a game since June 25. 

Jackie Young led the Aces’ season-high scoring effort with 24 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Kierstan Bell made her second career start in Loyd’s place and tallied a career-high 19 points herself, also making 6-of-11 attempts from the field. Bell was also tied with Young with a game-high plus-minus of +25. 

Dallas was without superstar rookie Paige Bueckers, whose absence was officially designated as rest. Bueckers has been dealing with a lingering knee injury throughout the season that will likely prevent her from participating in back-to-backs for the remainder of her rookie campaign. 

The Aces again brought their record back to .500. 13-13, with Sunday’s win. They’ll travel to Los Angeles for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday before heading back home for a noontime date with the league-leading Minnesota Lynx on Saturday at Michelob Ultra Arena.