What a difference a couple of weeks makes.
The Las Vegas Aces (30-5), a team that was beginning to make a case as the greatest WNBA team ever, has begun to look pedestrian. They lost 78-62 against the Washington Mystics (16-18) on Saturday and are 3-3 in their last six games. They now hold just a 2.5-game advantage over the New York Liberty for the top seed in the WNBA playoffs.
Speaking of New York (27-7), they also played Saturday, but, unlike Las Vegas, came out victorious, beating the Minnesota Lynx (16-18) on the road, 111-76. Breanna Stewart was sensational, scoring 38 points in the win.
The Aces were Mystified
Getting everyone’s best effort has begun to lead to more losses for Vegas. Washington protected home court on Saturday, giving Las Vegas their fifth loss of the year. Before the game, it was uncertain if Elena Delle Donne, Natasha Cloud and Queen Egbo would be available. All ended up cleared and Delle Donne shined brightest, scoring 21 points on 60 percent shooting, with nine of those points coming in the closing quarter.
It wasn’t just the Delle Donne show, however. Washington’s guard duo of Brittney Sykes and Ariel Atkins came to play. Atkins scored 16 points as she went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, while Sykes added 16 points in the win.
Washington…
