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Your Day in Women’s Basketball, August 19: Checking in on the Aces

By Spencer Nusbaum

PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 09: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces looks to pass the ball during the first half of a game against the New York Liberty at Feld Entertainment Center on August 09, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. 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. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
PALMETTO, FLORIDA - AUGUST 09: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces looks to pass the ball during the first half of a game against the New York Liberty at Feld Entertainment Center on August 09, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida. 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. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Despite Tuesday’s loss, there’s a lot to like about the Aces play this season

They lost Liz Cambage, they lost Kelsey Plum, and frankly, it didn’t matter. After 11 games of WNBA action, the Las Vegas Aces sit at the No. 2 spot in a potential playoff ladder, boasting an impressive offense and equally talented defense.

The Aces were riding an eight-game winning streak before Tuesday’s loss to the Chicago Sky, thanks in large part to the play of MVP front-runner A’ja Wilson. Wilson, Angel McCoughtry, and Dearica Hamby have been a dangerous trio together on the court, with Wilson dominating everywhere within the three-point line.

Further down in the lineup, Jackie Young, Kayla McBride, and Danielle Robinson have provided the type of depth that any championship contender needs. The Aces have five players averaging at least 10 points per game. This season has had a packed schedule, but because of their depth, the Aces can stay fresh.

Through impressive free-throw shooting, rebounding, and taking good care of the ball, the Aces have out-smarted opponents, letting other teams beat themselves as they coast to victory.

More from Atlanta Dream

Las Vegas will face off against the future-champion Seattle Storm on Saturday. The Storm have started the season 11-1 and represent the biggest challenge the Aces will face this season. If Las Vegas can shock Seattle this weekend, they’ll sit just one game back in the standings.

I must also note the velocity at which the Aces and Matt Ellentuck roast each other on Twitter, while I’m here. It might be the only reason I’m here at all. Even a cursory look through either of their Twitter accounts shows vitriol unlike any other in the WNBA.

Ellentuck (with the help of the Chicago Sky) seems to have taken this round, but I’ll be monitoring the situation closely over here to see if anything changes.

Over at the other end of the standings, we find the Atlanta Dream who have dropped eight-straight games.

While the loss of Chennedy Carter has stung, it’s Atlanta’s defense that should shoulder the blame. The Dream have the worst defensive rating in the league, and while head coach Nicki Collen isn’t disappointed with her team’s effort, she knows they have to improve.

“Play a little defense,” Collen said. “… I think the effort’s there, but we’re gonna have to guard. We’re gonna have to guard in ball screens better, we’re gonna have to guard in transition better, we’re just gonna have to have consistent effort at the defensive end. If you’d have told me this group was gonna score 85 points, I would’ve thought we’d have an opportunity to win. We’ve gotta stop giving up 100.”

Atlanta has gotten out to hot starts over its losing streak, but things tend to fall apart when you apply so little pressure on the opposition’s offense. The Dream have given up 3-pointers at an embarrassing rate over their past few games, so if they start to shut down the perimeter, they could get back on track. Relatively speaking.

Postseason play doesn’t seem to be in the cards for Atlanta at this point in the season. But there is still time for players like Betnijah Laney, Elizabeth Williams, and Courtney Williams to show they have a place in this team’s core.

Tuesday’s Games

The Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces played their third high-blood-pressure game in a row, with Chicago taking home an 84-82 win thanks to a last-second bucket by Azurá Stevens.

The Seattle Storm extinguished the New York Liberty 105-64, though the Liberty more than doubled my half-hearted projection of 30 points, so all things considered, it wasn’t that bad of a game. And it’s the Storm, so what are you supposed to do, score on them?

The Connecticut Sun continued their hot streak with an 84-62 win over the Indiana Fever as DeWanna Bonner dropped in 28 points and 8 rebounds.

Play of the Day

Courtney Vandersloot aA’knd head coach James Wade are Megamind-level geniuses.

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