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Story by Cassandra Cousineau and Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
Phoenix took a big lead in the first quarter, scoring 37 points total in the first quarter and racking up 117 points in a 117-91 coast-to-coast win over the Las Vegas Aces home game Thursday night at the Michelob Arena in Mandalay Bay.
Aces owner Mark Davis hugged Phoenix Mercury sniper Diana Taurasi after the game after Taurasi completed a three-point target practice with 37 points in 27 minutes of play. Interestingly, Taurasi said she was a Raiders fan.
Aces owner Mark Davis (left) with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren
“We kicked our asses,” said Aces coach Bill Laimbeer after the game.
Before the game, veteran Aces Guard Chelsea Gray predicted that game two of the WNBA semi-finals would be a tough one.
“The next game is the hardest to win,” said Gray.
So true.
Phoenix scored 68 points on 76.5 percent shooting in the first half and also came out with more energy than the aces.
The series is now tied to one game as the semi-finals for Games 3 and 4 move to Phoenix.
Kelsey Plum led the aces with 25 points.
The Aces announced a participation of 6,432.
Chelsea Gray the Aces
Awards update
You can’t say enough about the depth of this Las Vegas Aces 2021 team. The starting XI has an MVP in A’ja Wilson, and the sixth women of the year in a row in Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum come off the bench.
At the top, Team General Manager Dan Padover was named WNBA Executive of the Year for the second year running. AAfter bringing Angel McCoughtry to the Las Vegas Aces in 2020, GM signed Chelsea Gray and Riquna Williams for the third year in 2021. Last off-season, the Aces also redesigned Destiny Slocum for 14th overall and re-signed Cambage. The roster is impressive on both ends of the floor.
In addition to the individual hardware, the team is stacked with seven Olympians. There is only one thing missing; a WNBA championship.
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There were some big names at the court, including Davis the Raiders / Aces owners; UFC boss / president Dana White; former CEO of MGM Resorts International, Jim Murren; NBA star Shaquille O’Neal; and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
On the way out of the post-game press, Taurasi said, “I’m trying to get tickets for a raider Game. I am a die-hard raider fa. Somebody holla at Mark Davis. “
With White, the game’s UFC boss, the Mercury players had some fun after the game with some amusing comments:
The Phoenix Star Center Brittney Griner was asked if she should say hello White, who was at court, and is Griner interested in a career as a fighter?
“Yes! Sign me up for the celebrity fight,” said Griner.
Taurasi interfered: “Me too!”
And in order not to be outdone, Phoenix Guard added, “I’ll be promoting!”
After the game, Laimbeer had serious thoughts about the referees.
“I’ll say I’m tired of the referees and how they guide us. Somebody has to say something and I just did it. “
