The Las Vegas Aces are rolling into September as the most popular crew within the WNBA. Their 81-75 win over the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday pushed their win streak to 12, tying the franchise report set in 2012 when the crew was nonetheless the San Antonio Silver Stars.
A’ja Wilson as soon as once more led the cost with 34 factors, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks, marking her eleventh 30-point efficiency of the season.
“I attempt to make my exercises and my practices very gamelike, so it’s acquainted,” Wilson stated. “I can work out methods to get to my spots and be productive for my crew. That comes from understanding who I’m and the place I wish to go.”
Jackie Younger added her second triple-double of the yr, whereas Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Grey hit well timed photographs to carry off Atlanta’s rally. Wilson additionally tied her season excessive with two 3-pointers.
“Don’t name me Curry,” Wilson joked.
It has been an entire turnaround for coach Becky Hammon’s group. Hovering round .500 in July, the Aces are actually 15-3 because the All-Star break and have moved into second place within the standings at 26-14.
“That is our eighth recreation in 15 days. I used to be very involved with our legs coming into this recreation,” Hammon stated. “Whenever you speak about gears and that potential to kick it up an additional notch, we actually have been in a position to do this on the defensive finish. And it’s profitable us video games. Simply actually certainly one of our high quality crew wins tonight: intestine test, resiliency, toughness.”
Wilson is on the heart of all of it, averaging 23.4 factors and 10.1 rebounds whereas anchoring one of many league’s most suffocating defenses. With 4 video games left, together with a Sept. 4 matchup in opposition to the Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas is enjoying its greatest basketball on the proper time.
The Aces are certainly one of a choose few groups in WNBA historical past to win at the least 12 straight regular-season video games throughout the similar season.
Here’s a take a look at the opposite groups that reached that mark — and the way their seasons ended.
Los Angeles Sparks (2001) — 18 Video games
The Sparks nonetheless maintain the longest single-season profitable streak in WNBA historical past with 18 straight victories. Lisa Leslie was on the peak of her profession, profitable each league MVP and Finals MVP, whereas Tamecka Dixon, Mwadi Mabika and DeLisha Milton-Jones gave Los Angeles stability throughout the ground.
The Sparks completed 28-4, the most effective report within the league, and swept the Charlotte Sting within the Finals to seize the primary championship in franchise historical past. It was the start of a back-to-back title run and cemented Leslie’s place as one of many recreation’s defining stars.
Phoenix Mercury (2014) — 16 Video games
The 2014 Mercury stay some of the dominant groups the league has ever seen. Diana Taurasi directed the offense along with her scoring and playmaking, Brittney Griner emerged as Defensive Participant of the Yr in her second season, and Candice Dupree supplied regular manufacturing inside. Phoenix’s 16-game streak fueled a 29-5 common season, which on the time set the WNBA report for wins.
Within the playoffs, Phoenix eradicated the Sparks and Lynx earlier than defeating the Chicago Sky within the Finals. The Mercury dropped just one postseason recreation all yr, finishing one of many nice campaigns in league historical past.
Houston Comets (1998) — 15 Video games
The Houston Comets outlined the early years of the WNBA with a dynasty powered by Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson. In 1998, they ripped off 15 straight wins as a part of a 27-3 season, the most effective within the league.
Cooper received each the regular-season MVP and Finals MVP, additional establishing herself as one of many league’s first true superstars. The Comets went on to win their second straight championship, sweeping the Phoenix Mercury within the Finals. It was the height of a dynasty that might go on to say 4 titles in a row.
Minnesota Lynx (2016) — 13 Video games
The 2016 Lynx have been loaded with expertise: Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson made up a beginning 5 that rivaled any in league historical past. Their 13-game streak pushed them to a 28-6 report, the most effective within the WNBA.
The Lynx returned to the Finals for the fifth time in six years, establishing a showdown with the Sparks. The collection went the complete 5 video games, ending with Nneka Ogwumike’s dramatic game-winner within the last seconds. For Minnesota, it was a bitter end to what had been a season of dominance.
Seattle Storm (2010) — 13 Video games
The 2010 Storm mixed veteran management and celebrity expertise. Lauren Jackson received each MVP and Finals MVP, Sue Chook commanded the backcourt and Swin Money introduced toughness and flexibility. Seattle’s 13-game win streak carried them to a 28-6 report, tied for the most effective within the league that season.
They went 7-0 within the playoffs, sweeping the Atlanta Dream within the Finals and turning into simply the second crew in WNBA historical past to complete the postseason undefeated.
San Antonio Silver Stars (2012) – 12 Video games
The 2012 Silver Stars stay the benchmark season for the franchise earlier than it relocated to Las Vegas. Becky Hammon, Sophia Younger and Danielle Robinson led the best way because the crew completed 21-13, highlighted by a 12-game midseason win streak that matched the most effective in franchise historical past.
The Silver Stars entered the playoffs because the No. 3 seed within the West, however have been swept by the Sparks within the first spherical. For San Antonio, it was a reminder of how troublesome the postseason may be even after a dominant regular-season stretch.
Los Angeles Sparks (2000) – 12 Video games (Twice)
The Sparks went 28-4 in 2000, setting a then-league report for regular-season wins and posting two separate 12-game profitable streaks. Los Angeles appeared poised to interrupt via for its first championship. As a substitute, they bumped into the Comets within the Western Convention Finals.
The Comets swept the Sparks on their solution to a fourth consecutive championship, delaying L.A.’s title breakthrough till 2001. Even so, the 2000 Sparks are remembered as some of the dominant regular-season groups in league historical past.
What’s Subsequent for the Aces
The Aces have 4 regular-season video games left. Their subsequent matchup is at house in opposition to the Lynx on Sept. 4 at T-Cellular Area. They’ll then host the Sky for consecutive video games on Sept. 7 and Sept. 9 earlier than closing the common season on the street in opposition to the Sparks on Sept. 11.
Three of these 4 video games shall be performed at house, giving Las Vegas a positive schedule because it appears to be like to safe the No. 2 seed within the standings and preserve momentum heading into the postseason.
Historical past suggests the Aces are in the best place. 9 of the earlier 10 groups with streaks of at the least 12 video games reached the Finals, seven went on to win all of it, together with all three with streaks longer than 13 video games. With Wilson powering one other historic stretch, Las Vegas enters September with each dynasty implications and championship expectations firmly in view.
