A’ja Wilson recorded 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Las Vegas Aces beat the Minnesota Lynx 100-97 to take the West lead in the Commissioner’s Cup, extending their winning streak to six games heading toward the June 30 title.
The scoreboard barely had time to settle before the game flipped back toward Las Vegas.
In Las Vegas on Saturday night, the Aces survived a late push from Minnesota to beat the Lynx 100-97 and take the West lead in the Commissioner’s Cup. A’ja Wilson finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds to offset a career-high 29 points from Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles.
The last stretch turned into a string of high-pressure free throws. Wilson and Chelsea Gray each made two free throws shots in the final 20.5 seconds, a finishing burst that helped Las Vegas close the deal. The Aces, now 10-3, won their sixth straight.
Minnesota entered the contest rolling—10-3 as well—and had won eight in a row. Miles delivered throughout, including 12 points in the fourth quarter, but the sequence of late possessions left both teams trading momentum.
With 48 seconds left, Miles drew a foul on Wilson and converted the three-point play to put the Lynx ahead 94-93. Kayla McBride then fouled Jewell Loyd behind the arc, and Loyd made all three to give Las Vegas a 96-94 lead.
Miles answered again with her third 3-pointer, lifting Minnesota back ahead 97-96 with 24.5 seconds left. She then missed a 3 with seven seconds remaining after getting a chance to tie, and Courtney Williams missed a 3 in the final second as the Aces held on.
The Commissioner’s Cup title game is set for June 30, when the top team in the East will play the best in the West for the championship.
Aces Lynx Commissioner’s Cup A’ja Wilson Chelsea Gray Olivia Miles Jewell Loyd Las Vegas Minnesota