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Second half of Aces-Mystics game postponed after 7.1 magnitude earthquake

By Brendon Kleen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 5: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics plays defense against the Las Vegas Aces on July 5, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 5: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics plays defense against the Las Vegas Aces on July 5, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Las Vegas Aces and Washington Mystics will have to make this one up, it seems.

LAS VEGAS — Hold on to your socks.

Halfway through a hyped matchup between the Aces and Mystics in Las Vegas, as the Aces headed to the line for a pair of free throws, Mandalay Bay Events Center was rocking –and not in the way the arena typically known as The House usually rocks.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Ridgecrest, Calif., put a momentary stop to play. Players initially took the court a few minutes after the scheduled end of halftime before being sent back to the locker room shortly thereafter.

“I actually didn’t feel it, didn’t know what was going on,” said A’ja Wilson, who finished the first half with nine points and five rebounds for the Aces. “We all thought different things, but this is definitely something I’ve never encountered before.”

Arena officials checked the hardwood itself for cracks or disturbances, but the eery shaking of the Jumbotron high above the court surely made for a danger to the players in uniform.

At around 9:22 local time, the Mandalay public address announcer confirmed the game would not be finished. The Mystics led the Aces 51-36.

“I’m disappointed in the way we showed up,” said Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer. “It’s very frustrating. I’m searching for answers or combinations of players who want to get out there and get after it. They’re going to have to learn. Now we go on the road for four games, and we’ll see how we do there.”

Details about a new schedule for the matchup are to be released at a late date. At the same time down the road, NBA Summer League contests taking place in the Thomas and Mack Center were canceled as well. That arena’s Jumbotron posed a similar challenge.

“Every time the locker room door opened, we were just waiting,” Wilson said. “We hate it had to turn out like this, our fans really showed out and we hate we couldn’t continue the game, we’ll see them once they come around again.”

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