Full Breakdown
Aces Rally in Second Half to Defeat Connecticut Sun
8/21/2026, 11:40:11 AM
Core Game Recap
The Las Vegas Aces turned a sluggish first half into a dominant performance after halftime, outscoring the Connecticut Sun 53-31 to win 101-78. Guard Jackie Young led Las Vegas with 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while center A’ja Wilson added 20 points on 47 % shooting. The victory snapped a potential three-game losing streak and marked the Aces’ 25th win of the season.
Background & Recent Form
Las Vegas entered the matchup after a 97-82 loss to the Atlanta Dream in which head coach Becky Hammon was ejected in the second quarter. The defeat was the team’s fourth loss in six games and dropped the Aces from second to fourth place in the league standings. Throughout the season, Wilson and Young have shouldered the scoring load, leading the team in 31 of 37 games; the only game since July 3 without a scoring lead from either was one they did not play.
The Aces and Sun met twice in Connecticut in May, with Las Vegas winning both contests. In the first meeting, Sun forward Aneesha Morrow led her team in scoring; she was later traded to the Toronto Tempo on July 31.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Aces 101, Sun 78.
- Second-half differential: Aces 53, Sun 31.
- Aces’ shooting: 10 % (10-of-100) from three-point range in the opening half, improving to 60 % (6-of-10) after the break.
- The win extended the Aces’ streak against Connecticut to 11 consecutive games.
- Wilson’s franchise-record 302nd game, moving her within 100 points of 1,000 career points with six regular-season games remaining.
- Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa led her team with 14 points; the Sun’s starters combined for seven rebounds and nine turnovers.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Hammon highlighted the defensive adjustment that sparked the second-half surge, noting that the team “started to play defense” and held the Sun to 16 and 15 points in the latter two quarters, a marked improvement over the 24 and 23 points allowed early. She also expressed confidence in the squad’s ceiling, acknowledging occasional inconsistency but emphasizing overall capability.
She stressed the need to address ball-handling lapses, stating the Sun “lost too much ball tonight” and must improve in that area.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I do think that this win is very important for us, just to keep the team on track,” — Rachid Meziane, staff
- “Sometimes I’m worried, and sometimes I’m not; I know what we’re capable of, so that brings me peace,” — Becky Hammon, coach
Impact and Upcoming Schedule
The win keeps the Aces on track for a playoff push and avoids a three-game losing streak for the first time since June 2024. Following the homestand, Las Vegas will travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, for a regular-season matchup against the Toronto Tempo as part of the Tempo’s Cross-Canada series. The Aces’ final six games will be against teams below .500, including four opponents already eliminated from playoff contention, positioning the club to fine-tune its performance before the postseason.
Timeline
- May 13 – Aces defeat Sun 98-69 in Connecticut.
- July 3 – Only game since this date without a Wilson or Young scoring lead (both absent).
- July 31 – Sun forward Aneesha Morrow traded to Toronto Tempo.
- Recent Thursday night – Aces rally to beat Sun 101-78 after halftime.
