Short-handed Aces edge Wings, avoid 2nd consecutive loss
Aces guard Kelsey Plum knew someone needed to step up. Her instructions to coach Becky Hammon made it clear she wanted the extra responsibility.
“She wouldn’t let me take her off the court,” Hammon said.
Hammon never thought Plum was struggling, because the 2017 No. 1 draft pick played all 40 minutes of Sunday’s 84-78 victory over the Dallas Wings at Michelob Ultra Arena. Plum scored 32 points to lead the Aces to their 10th win of the season.
“I thought we dug in and found a way to win,” said Hammon, whose team avoided a second consecutive defeat. “Plum, obviously, was very good tonight.”
The Aces (10-2) are the first team in the WNBA to reach the 10-win threshold, despite missing leading scorer Jackie Young, who was ruled out before the game with a right ankle sprain.
The Aces get an extended break before traveling to play the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Here are three takeaways from Sunday’s win:
Plum takes the wheel
Any shock Plum’s teammates had after hearing the fifth-year guard played the entire game quickly wore away.
“She wants to play 40 (minutes) more,” forward Dearica Hamby said.
Plum tied her career high for points on 10-for-19 shooting. She also had four rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block.
“I was ready to play,” Plum said.
Her performance continued a string of strong outings for Plum, who has scored at least 17 points in her past six games. Sunday was also the fifth time she has scored at least 20 points this season.
Plaisance gets the start
Hammon was adamant Young couldn’t be replaced by a single player. Forward Theresa Plaisance was given the start because Hammon hoped the additional size would help the Aces in rebounding. She also thought Plaisance’s shooting ability could increase their spacing.
Making her first start of the season, Plaisance wasn’t the only player who gave the team valuable minutes. Hamby was the primary defender on Arike Ogunbowale, who scored 21 points for Dallas. And center Kiah Stokes gave the team valuable minutes when forward A’ja Wilson was forced to the bench in foul trouble.
“I thought everyone who got on the floor tonight battled,” Hammon said.
Plaisance had five points, four rebounds and an assist in almost 32 minutes. She also came up with a timely steal with two minutes remaining. Stokes had six points, seven rebounds and finished the game after Wilson fouled out.
Rebounding scare
While the Aces compensated for Young defensively, the team struggled for rebounds without her.
The eighth-year forward is averaging a career-high 9.4 rebounds per game this season. But with Hamby guarding Ogunbowale away from the basket, the Aces were vulnerable on the interior. The Wings (6-4) outrebounded the Aces 50-35, including 19 offensive rebounds.
“They hurt us on the glass,” Hammon said.
The Aces’ defense made sure the extra possessions didn’t cost them the game. They forced 17 turnovers, and kept the Wings to 10 second-chance points.
Contact reporter Andy Yamashita at ayamashita@reviewjournal.com. Follow @ANYamashita on Twitter.
