A’ja Wilson has 28 points, 17 rebounds as Aces beat Mystics

A’ja Wilson has 28 points, 17 rebounds as Aces beat Mystics

WASHINGTON The Las Vegas Aces won their fourth straight game on Sunday, defeating the Washington Mystics 89-77 after rallying from a 13-point second-quarter hole behind 28 points and 17 rebounds from A’ja Wilson and 22 points from Kelsey Plum.

For Las Vegas (16-7), Tiffany Hayes matched her career high with 17 points and added a career-high five assists.

After point guard Chelsea Gray returned, the Aces, who began the season 6-6, have won 10 of their last 11 games, matching their total number of losses from the regular season in 2023 in the first 12 games of 2024. On June 19, the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP made a comeback from a foot injury sustained during the 2023 Finals. Las Vegas has won nine games by a margin of 10 points or more.

About three minutes into the second half, Plum made a driving layup to give the Aces their first lead since the first quarter, 44-43. Wilson then took over, leading Las Vegas to a 65-62 advantage heading into the fourth quarter and never looking back. Wilson scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the third quarter.

Wilson’s performance marked her eleventh this season to finish with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds, which is a record for the most in a season in the WNBA. Additionally, she has now recorded the longest streak in the league with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in three consecutive games.

Ariel Atkins ended with a career-best 36 points on 13 of 25 shooting for Washington (6–18), tying her career high with six 3-pointers.

Atkins scored 16 points and made four of Washington’s six 3-pointers, helping the Mystics take a 31-20 lead at the half. Washington led 7-2 after Atkins sank a 3-pointer, a running floater, and a midrange pull-up jumper. With 3:49 remaining, it was 22-9 thanks to three points by Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Atkins, separated by 47 seconds.