Pre-Review_WNBA: Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces

1st Quarter:

Las Vegas controls the opening tip and immediately gets A'ja Wilson involved.

The Aces work the ball through Chelsea Gray before Wilson slips into the lane for a short jumper. Atlanta answers with Rhyne Howard attacking from the wing and finding Allisha Gray for a corner three.

The early pace is quick.

With 7:48 remaining, Las Vegas leads 7-5.

Atlanta's defense is determined to keep Wilson from establishing deep position, but that opens opportunities for Jackie Young. Young gets downhill twice, scoring four points and setting up NaLyssa Smith for a layup.

The Dream settle down offensively. Howard knocks down a three, then Angel Reese wins a battle on the offensive glass for a putback.

With 4:32 left in the quarter, Atlanta has its first lead, 13-12.

Neither team is able to create much separation.

Chelsea Gray starts manipulating the defense with high pick-and-rolls, while Atlanta uses Howard and Allisha Gray to attack mismatches on the perimeter.

With 1:18 remaining, Wilson converts a three-point play to put Las Vegas ahead 20-18.

Atlanta answers before the horn when Howard finds a cutting Reese for two.

End of 1st: Atlanta 20 – Las Vegas 20

2nd Quarter:

The second unit gives both teams a different look.

Atlanta opens the quarter with pressure defense and forces two Las Vegas turnovers. A transition three from Allisha Gray gives the Dream a 25-22 lead with 8:41 remaining.

Las Vegas is not rattled.

Jackie Young takes control of the offense, scoring on consecutive possessions before finding Chelsea Gray for a three.

The Aces have regained the lead, 29-27, with 6:54 left in the half.

Atlanta responds by going inside. Reese grabs another offensive rebound and scores, while Naz Hillmon adds a short jumper. Howard then hits a pull-up three to put Atlanta back in front 34-31 with 4:47 remaining.

The game becomes a possession-by-possession battle.

Wilson begins to take over. She scores six points in less than two minutes, including a turnaround jumper and a finish through contact.

With 2:03 remaining, Las Vegas leads 40-38.

Atlanta gets one more push before halftime. Howard drives into the lane and kicks the ball out to Allisha Gray, who knocks down a three from the wing. The Dream take a 41-40 lead.

But Chelsea Gray has one final answer.

With 11 seconds left, she uses a screen, gets into the paint and finds Wilson for a short jumper just before the buzzer.

Halftime: Las Vegas 42 – Atlanta 41

3rd Quarter

Atlanta opens the second half determined to attack before the Aces can establish their half-court defense.

Howard scores on a pull-up jumper, and Allisha Gray follows with a three.

The Dream lead 46-42 with 8:36 remaining.

Las Vegas responds immediately. Wilson scores inside, Young hits a three, and Chelsea Gray finds Smith cutting toward the basket.

A 9-2 Aces run puts Las Vegas ahead 51-48 with 6:14 remaining.

Atlanta refuses to let the game get away. Howard hits another three, then Reese grabs a defensive rebound and starts a transition opportunity that ends with Allisha Gray finishing at the rim.

With 4:01 left, the Aces lead 55-53.

The pace begins to slow.

Both teams recognize that possessions are becoming more important.

Wilson gets another basket inside, but Atlanta answers with Howard attacking the basket and drawing two defenders before finding a teammate for an open jumper.

With 1:37 remaining, Las Vegas leads 61-59.

The final minute turns into a defensive battle.

Young gets a steal and converts a fast-break layup to make it 63-59.

Atlanta gets the final possession of the quarter, and Howard creates enough space for a three-point attempt that rattles out.

End of 3rd: Las Vegas 63 – Atlanta 59

4th Quarter

The Dream come out aggressively. Reese scores on a putback, and Allisha Gray hits a pull-up jumper.

Just 1:52 into the fourth, Atlanta has tied the game at 63-63.

Michelob ULTRA Arena gets loud as the Aces answer.

Young attacks the basket for two, Wilson follows with a jumper, and Chelsea Gray knocks down a three from the top of the arc.

Suddenly Las Vegas leads 70-63 with 6:47 remaining.

Atlanta needs an answer.

Howard provides it. She hits a three, then forces a turnover on the defensive end before converting another jumper in transition. With 4:58 remaining, the Aces' lead is down to 70-68.

The Dream continue attacking Wilson's side of the floor, trying to force Las Vegas to defend multiple actions.

At the 3:21 mark, Allisha Gray drives baseline and finds Reese underneath for a layup.

Las Vegas 74 – Atlanta 73.

Neither team can pull away.

Wilson scores inside with 2:14 left, but Howard answers with a contested jumper.

Las Vegas 76 – Atlanta 75.

The next possession becomes critical.

Chelsea Gray patiently works the clock before finding Jackie Young on the wing. Young drives, draws help and kicks back to Gray, who knocks down a three with 1:18 remaining.

The Aces lead 79-75.

Atlanta refuses to fold.

Howard hits a three with 48 seconds left.

Las Vegas 79 – Atlanta 78.

Las Vegas goes back to Wilson.

Atlanta doubles her, forcing the ball out to Young. Young attacks the closeout and draws a foul with 31 seconds remaining.

She makes both free throws.

Aces 81 – Dream 78.

Atlanta calls timeout.

With 19 seconds left, the Dream get the ball to Howard. She drives toward the middle, draws two defenders and kicks it back out to Allisha Gray. Gray's three-point attempt misses.

Reese fights for the offensive rebound, but the Aces secure the ball with 8 seconds remaining.

Las Vegas is forced to foul-free-clock management, and Chelsea Gray calmly handles the final possession.

Atlanta gets one last desperation opportunity, but the final shot comes after the horn.

Final: Las Vegas 81 – Atlanta 78

Summary

The Aces survive a back-and-forth game that never produces more than a single-digit margin.

Atlanta's offensive balance keeps the Dream within striking distance throughout the night, with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray repeatedly answering Las Vegas runs.

But the Aces' combination of A'ja Wilson's interior scoring, Jackie Young's all-around production and Chelsea Gray's late-game decision-making ultimately proves to be the difference.

The matchup also illustrates why this could be an important late-season test for both teams. Atlanta enters the night 21-13 and fifth in the Eastern Conference, while Las Vegas sits at 24-12 and third in the West.

The Aces have already beaten Atlanta this season, winning 85-84 in Atlanta on May 17 and 86-76 on August 3. Jackie Young recorded a triple-double in the August 3 meeting, while Wilson added 23 points.

Atlanta Dream

Rhyne Howard — 27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists

Allisha Gray — 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists

Angel Reese — 14 points, 13 reboundsNaz Hillmon — 8 points, 6 rebounds

Las Vegas Aces

A'ja Wilson — 28 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks

Jackie Young — 22 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists

Chelsea Gray — 15 points, 8 assistsNaLyssa Smith — 10 points, 9 rebounds