WNBA Recaps: Triple-Doubles and Trade Debuts

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Three action-packed games headlined the WNBA action last night. Home court would not help two of the three, and the Aces showed why the rest of the league needs to keep worrying about them.

1. Las Vegas Aces 109, Atlanta Dream 87

Game Breakdown

The Aces blew the contest open with a staggering 33–14 second-quarter surge and never looked back, leading by as many as 28 points. Jackie Young posted her third career triple-double, sealing it late in the fourth quarter with an assist to Brianna Turner. A’ja Wilson anchored the interior, scoring 23 points while swatting three shots to pass Lauren Jackson for 6th on the WNBA’s all-time blocks list. While NaLyssa Smith and Chelsea Gray each played key roles in the blowout.

With a dominating win over one of the league’s top-tier teams, the Aces continue to play the kind of basketball that will make them a hard out in the playoffs.

Atlanta struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 17% (4-for-24 3 PM) despite another monster double-double from Angel Reese (23 points, 16 rebounds). They could not get into any type of rhythm, and Allisha Grey and Jordan Canada struggled with their shots all night.

Top Performers

Las Vegas Aces (21–9):

Jackie Young: 28 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST (4-7 3 PM)
A’ja Wilson: 23 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 3 BLK
NaLyssa Smith: 18 PTS
Chelsea Gray: 17 PTS, 6 AST

Atlanta Dream (18–11):

Angel Reese: 23 PTS, 16 REB (20th double-double of season)
Rhyne Howard: 19 PTS

2. Phoenix Mercury 106, Chicago Sky 101

Game Breakdown

In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, Kahleah Copper took over after halftime, scoring 20 of her 31 points in the second half. However, the spotlight belonged to Kelsey Plum—acquired from Los Angeles just two days prior—who drained a go-ahead corner three-pointer with 53 seconds remaining to give Phoenix a 103–101 lead.

On the ensuing possession, veteran DeWanna Bonner rejected a Courtney Vandersloot layup attempt and sank two clutch free throws to ice the game. Alyssa Thomas was orchestrating throughout, tallying a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists.

Top Performers

Phoenix Mercury (12–19):

Kahleah Copper: 31 PTS (20 in 2nd half)
Kelsey Plum: 20 PTS (6-10 FG, 3-5 3 PM) in team debut
Alyssa Thomas: 19 PTS, 15 REB, 12 AST
DeWanna Bonner: 14 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 3 STLS, 2 BLKS, crucial late-game block

Chicago Sky (11–19):

Courtney Vandersloot: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 10 AST
Kamilla Cardoso: 16 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST
DiJonai Carrington: 16 PTS
Natasha Cloud: 13 PTS, 5REB, 7 AST

3. New York Liberty 95, Seattle Storm 83

Game Breakdown

The Liberty bolted out to an explosive 24–7 start and never trailed for a single second. Breanna Stewart led the way with 24 points, passing Tina Thompson for the fifth-most 15+ point games in WNBA history (253).

Jonquel Jones knocked down four three-pointers, and Sabrina Ionescu shot a blistering 7-for-10 from the floor. Seattle cut the lead to a single possession late in the third quarter, but New York responded with a decisive 15–0 run spanning into the fourth quarter to secure their sixth consecutive game scoring at least 94 points.