A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Becky Hammon REACT to Aces LOSING 3 straight for FIRST TIME in years

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Aces fall to Minnesota for first three-game losing streak since 2020

Aces Take on Lynx

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) and Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) fight for the ball during the first half of an WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Aces’ struggles continued for a third straight game, as they fell to the visiting Minnesota Lynx 100-86 on Tuesday.

It’s the first time since the 2020 WNBA Finals that the Aces have lost three in a row in falling to 5-5 on the season. It is the first time since 2019 that Las Vegas has a .500 record with eight or more games played.

It is nowhere near where the Aces wanted to be, but coach Becky Hammon said the team could benefit from the loss.

“At the end of the day, this is uncomfortable, nobody likes it, but it could be one of the best things for us,” Hammon said.

Minnesota could not be stopped on offense, shooting 55% (37-of-67) from the field and 55% (15-of-27) from 3-point range. All five of the Lynx’s starters broke into double-scoring figures, led by Alanna Smith’s 18 points.

The Aces were shooting 61% from the field in the first quarter but fell to 45% (28-of-62) by the end of the game. They also shot a low 32% (10-of-31) from outside the arc.

“We won the last two years because we have the number one defense and we’re a team that could get stops and then play out of that,” Plum said. “Everyone on their team is shooting for their highest percentage this year.

“Give them a lot of credit, but we also gave them a lot of H.O.R.S.E. looks.”

A’ja Wilson finished with 20-plus points for an 11th straight game, recording 28 against the Lynx. Kelsey Plum broke double scoring figures for a 10th straight game, finishing with 13 points.

However, Wilson said she is not focused on records but more so helping her team get on the winning side of things again.

“I’m not coming out here being like, ‘Oh my god, I have to do this.’ I want to be there for my team,” Wilson said. “I want to continue to lead my team. I want to win games.”

“She’s [Wilson] pissed that we’re not winning,” Hammon said. “Records or no records, that girl is about winning at the end of the day.”

Las Vegas is still in fifth in the Western Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings. It’ll play its final game of the tournament on Thursday at Phoenix on Amazon Prime at 7 p.m.

“We have to build back some trust because it’s been lost,” Hammon said.