The Las Vegas Aces, already eliminated from the Commissioner’s Cup, didn’t come into Target Center merely to act as spoilers for the Minnesota Lynx, but to get themselves back on track, even without the services of A’ja Wilson, still in concussion protocol. For 20 minutes, they looked like they might. In the following 20 minutes, they did not.
The Minnesota Lynx played perhaps their worst, certainly their lowest scoring half of a game this season. Shots were not going in, defense was lacking, and nothing seemed in synch. The Aces opened with an 8 – 0 run until Napheesa Collier got on the board with her patented step back jumper. They slowly got back into the game and kept it close, but Kiersten Bell hit a buzzer beater jumper to put Las Vegas up 18 – 15 at the end of the first quarter.
After a couple of buckets in the second quarter, the Lynx went stone cold for four minutes until Kayla McBride made a layup. Las Vegas then added a Jackie Young three and upped their lead to 14 points.
Following an Aces time out, Minnesota seemed to, if not turn the corner, start to look around it, starting with a bucket from Natisha Hiedeman, followed by a jumper from McBride, and two key baskets from Diamond Miller. By the half, the Lynx got the deficit down to nine, and they had a little momentum, after a season low 30 point half.
Lynx Without MVP Favorite in the Second Half
Then the tables turned, quickly, but not without incident. Early on in the third quarter, Collier suffered a back injury and was subbed out. She did not return. The Lynx began to further chip away at the Aces lead, tied the game at 40 – 40 on a Courtney Williams jumper, then again at 43 – 43 when Bridget Carleton answered Aaliyah Nye‘s three with one of her own.
After a little back and forth, the Lynx took the lead for good on a pair of free throws from Hiedeman, giving the Lynx a 54 -52 lead. The Lynx erased the Aces lead, and outscored them 26 – 13 in the third.
The fourth quarter saw the Aces start to come apart, missing shots and lacking on defense of which Minnesota, much like the Aces had done earlier, took advantage. The Lynx began to play like they were used to playing and managed to hand Las Vegas their fourth loss in the last five games, putting them at 5 – 6 on the season.
Certainly, this is unfamiliar territory for the Aces. Minnesota won the game 76 – 62, and secured their spot in the Commissioner’s Cup game. They will face the Indiana Fever at Target Center to defend their championship from last season.
What’s Next for the Aces and Lynx?
At this writing, the extent of Collier’s injury is unclear. Minnesota has won without her before, and if they need to, they can do it again. I am sure that Las Vegas is eagerly looking forward to Wilson’s return. Up next for the Aces, they head home for a game Friday with the visiting Seattle Storm. Minnesota will welcome back the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday. The Commissioner’s Cup game will be on July 1.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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