Aces Take 1-0 Finals Lead Behind Wilson’s 24-Point, 11-Rebound Double-Double, and Gray’s 21 Point-Effort

September 11, 2022 – Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) – Las Vegas Aces News Release

LAS VEGAS, NV – Las Vegas held the Sun to 37.8 percent shooting Sunday afternoon, while A’ja Wilson posted a 24-point, 11 rebound double-double, and Chelsea Gray poured in 21 points in a 67-64 victory. The Aces lead the best-three-out-of-five series, 1-0.

2022 09 11 Aces vs. Sun (Finals Game 1)

KEY RUNS

First Quarter (Las Vegas 25, Connecticut 17)

The Aces used a 16-6 run to build a 12-point lead, 21-9, with 4:05 to go. It was still a 10-point Las Vegas lead with under two minutes remaining, but the Sun scored the final 4 points of the quarter. A’ja Wilson led all scorers with 12 points. Las Vegas went 5 for 7 from the line, while the Sun did not attempt a free throw.

Second Quarter (Connecticut 38, Las Vegas 34)

The Sun scored the first 6 points of the quarter, and took the lead midway through, 30-29. Jonquel Jones led all scorers with 8 points in the period as the Sun held Las Vegas to 20.0 percent shooting.

Third Quarter (Las Vegas 55, Connecticut 53)

Connecticut extended its lead to as many as 8 points, but a late 5-0 run put Las Vegas back on top 53-52. A’ja Wilson scored 10 points in the quarter, going 8 for 8 from the free throw line.

Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 67, Connecticut 64)

Las Vegas increased its lead to as many as 8 and never trailed in the quarter. A’ja Wilson had 3 blocks in the period as the Aces held Connecticut27.8 percent shooting over the final 10 minutes.

KEY STATS

It has been 912 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered. Recently, four Louisville Metro Police Department officers were charged by the FBI with federal crimes in relation to her death.

It has been 206 days since Russia’s wrongful detention of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner began.

Las Vegas made 16 of 19 free throws, while Connecticut went 3 for 5.

The Sun bench outscored the Aces bench, 12-5 (Brionna Jones, 12 points).

Connecticut outscored Las Vegas 40-22 in the paint.

The Sun outscored the Aces 12-0 in fast break points.

GAME NOTES

A’ja Wilson recorded a 24-point, 11 rebound double-double which was the first Finals double-double in franchise history. It was her second game of 20 or more points in her Finals career, and her first double-digit rebound effort. Her 11 boards were one shy of the franchise record of 12 held by Carolyn Swords

Chelsea Gray now has 7 playoff games of 20 or more points with the Aces which is 4th on the franchise career chart. A’ja Wilson now has 11 such games which is tops in franchise history.

This was the first-ever Finals win for the Aces who were swept by Seattle in the 2022 WNBA Finals, and by Detroit in the 2008 Finals when the team was located in San Antonio.

The Aces set a Las Vegas-era attendance record with a sold-out crowd of 10,135.

NEXT OPPONENT

Game One of the 2022 WNBA Finals between the Aces and Sun is slated for Tuesday, September 13 beginning at 6 pm PT on ESPN.

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