Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) takes the ball upcourt during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever in the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Published Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 | 8:56 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 | 10:41 p.m.
There's a sense of relief that comes with being the first team in the league to clinch a playoff spot.
When you're on a historic run like the Las Vegas Aces are, it was inevitable that at some point, the defending WNBA champions would punch their ticket to the postseason.
At 26 games with 14 to go, the first task for the Aces' title defense is complete following their 93-72 win over the Atlanta Dream at Michelob Ultra Arena on Tuesday.
It's the fifth straight playoff berth for the Aces, who have been to the playoffs in all but one season since relocating from San Antonio six years ago.
"This is just the beginning," said A'ja Wilson. "Right now, we just have to get done with the regular season, but it is a lot of fun just playing alongside these girls."
Wilson recorded her fourth double-double in six games with 20 points and 11 rebounds — her seventh straight game with 20 points, one shy of her franchise record set last season — and Jackie Young had a game-high 24 points with 14 of them coming in the second quarter.
For the Aces, this was another day at the office. They won their eighth straight game, each by double digits, and improved to a league-best 24-2 and keeping pace with the 1998 Houston Comets for the best winning percentage in league history.
"We’ve done some great things but we still have a lot of basketball left to be played," coach Becky Hammon said. "At the end of the day, we want to continue to build great habits."
While the Aces have dominated by way of their all-star contributions from Wilson, Young, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum, the bench has had to play a bigger role as of late, especially with Candace Parker recovering from foot surgery.
Tuesday was the latest example of that. Second-year guard Kierstan Bell scored a career-high 15 points in 18 minutes as one of five players to score in double figures. Center Kiah Stokes, who has moved back into the starting lineup by way of Parker's absence, had three blocks, three steals and nine rebounds and was a plus-15.
Reserve forward Cayla George was a plus-13 in nine minutes of action and played a key defensive role in a 21-7 run in the second quarter that gave the Aces a 43-26 lead. Young, who shot 3 of 10 on Sunday against Dallas, made four straight 3-pointers in that stretch.
"We really harp on defense more than offense," Bell said. "We know our offense will come, but as long as we can handle the defensive side, everything will go with the flow."
The Aces' first-round pick last season, Bell has spent most of her time going against the Aces' top players in practice. She usually plays the scout role prior to a game against the league's top players, like Breanna Stewart, for example.
Bell appeared in 21 games her rookie year, but most minutes came with games well in hand. This year, as a byproduct of the Aces' dominance and needing to utilize their bench more, Bell has appeared in all but three games this season and has seen an increase in minutes. She's played in at least 12 minutes in the last 10 games.
"When you talk about being a pro and being on a roster that’s very hard to be on, she’s always ready when her name is called," Wilson said of Bell. "KB's been through the DNPs. It is terrible, especially when you put in the work. When she’s out there, she’s ready when her name is called, she always brings the energy, and that is incredible."
She showed up at the right time in the fourth quarter, when the Dream cut the lead to seven points, 69-62, after a 3-pointer from Haley Jones.
Bell, who shot 3 of 6 from 3-point range, hit back-to-back threes to kickstart a 15-2 run and put the game out of reach.
"I think it starts at practice, being aggressive with them and making them better," Bell said. "My teammates trust me, and that’s what builds my confidence."
The win pushed the Aces to 13-0 at home and their 18th straight at Michelob Ultra Arena. The WNBA record is 28 by the Los Angeles Sparks from 2000-02.
Young suffered an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter and was on the court for an extended period before walking to the bench. Hammon said Young is "fine" and should be available for Sunday's showdown against the New York Liberty (noon, ESPN).
The schedule will reach a tipping point for the Aces. Six of their next 10 games are on the road, including three games against the Liberty in a potential WNBA Finals preview.
"It’s been tremendous for us to do what we’ve been doing," Wilson said. "We have fun when we come to work, and it shows. The job’s not done."
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
