Las Vegas Aces forward Cayla George (13) heads 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 Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023 | 8 p.m.
Updated Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023 | 9:41 p.m.
This isn't Cayla George's first rodeo.
The 34-year-old Australian forward has been playing professional basketball since she was a teenager. When she has a moment or two of a mental roadblock, she has the experience to overcome it.
Case in point was the second quarter of the Las Vegas Aces' 86-65 win over the Atlanta Dream at Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday, where George overcame a difficult stretch to provide more than enough to give the Aces their 20th straight home win.
George missed her first two shots — a 3-pointer, then an off-the-dribble 21-foot jumper — the second one missing wide to the right. When she got a look at an open 3-pointer at the top of the key with three minutes remaining, she passed out of the shot.
Aces coach Becky Hammon called a timeout, pointed at George and told her to take the shot.
She did that. She made her next two threes with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter to give the Aces a cushion heading into halftime.
Those threes, along with one more in the third quarter, were crucial with A'ja Wilson battling foul trouble with three in the first half. George finished with a season-high 11 points and was key in the Aces improving to 27-3 and tying the 1998 Houston Comets for the best start to a season in WNBA history.
"I certainly had to snap out of what mental thing I was thinking of. I just needed to play," she said. "I’ve been around a long time. I’ve been a professional since I was 16, 17 years old. I went out there, decided to be confident and shoot with confidence."
The Aces had to have the production from George, considering forward Alysha Clark — one of the Aces' top 3-point shooters and defenders — was a late scratch due to a back injury. Hammon didn't have a timeline on Clark, but doesn't think it's serious.
With Candace Parker still recovering from foot surgery, George's importance is paramount. While her eight minutes per game are the fewest of her four WNBA seasons, she's one of the most decorated players to ever play in her homeland. George has won four WNBL titles in Australia and was the league MVP last season before joining the Aces.
"When you talk about people being ready, when we’re a man down, we man up. Cayla is a professional," Wilson said. "Being ready when your name is called as Cayla is, she goes after it in practice every single day. She’s just ready and I think these moments here show."
It wasn't one of the Aces' best wins, despite it being their 11th straight double-digit victory. The offense was held to 34.3% shooting in the first half, despite leading 36-30. In addition to her three fouls, Wilson shot 2 of 9 in the first 20 minutes.
The Aces' defense did its part in the second half, outscoring the Dream 50-35 and 28-15 in the fourth quarter alone. Wilson had 17 of her 21 points in the second half and hit four straight jumpers to begin the fourth quarter.
Five players scored in double figures with the Aces along with Wilson and George. Jackie Young had 17 points, while Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray had 13 each.
Center Kiah Stokes also had a strong game, grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds and blocking two shots to go with five points.
"At the time of the season, it’s really important to come in and be ready and give the team what’s necessary and play our roles really well," George said. "Whether it be jumping into a game or coming in when people are out, being confident is key."
While the Aces are still on pace to be one of the best offensive teams in league history, their defense continues to carry them at the right times; outscoring Washington 56-41 in the second half on Friday; holding the Dallas Wings to 19 fourth-quarter points on July 30 after nearly letting a double-digit lead get away.
But it's part of the reason why the Aces have now won 20 straight games at home and are one from tying the Los Angeles Sparks for the second-longest streak in history set in 2019 and 2020.
That will be tested on the grandest scale starting Tuesday with a back-to-back against the New York Liberty at home. Tuesday is the league's Commissioner Cup championship game, the in-season tournament that doesn't go against the league's standings, but both clubs are playing for charity and cash prizes.
They'll meet again Thursday. Either of those games, the Aces will try to avenge the 38-point loss they had to New York on Aug. 6 at Barclays Center. Since that loss, the worst of Hammon's tenure in Las Vegas, the Aces have won three straight.
If Clark isn't available, the bench will need to play its part again. And if George is called, she'll look to make the most of her chance.
"She’s a pro. She knows how to play," Hammon said. "I have the trust in her when I put her out there."
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
