Chelsea Gray powers Aces to blowout victory over Indiana Fever

Aces point guard Chelsea Gray handed out 12 assists, one shy of a franchise record, against the Indiana Fever on Friday night.

“I probably should have just passed it a couple of times and I just held in and I was tired,” she said after a 113-77 victory at Michelob Ultra Arena. “I probably should have got 15 maybe. But this team, they’re trusting me with the rock.”

That they are.

Gray played to a plus-33 Friday night against the Indiana Fever, recording 19 points, 12 assists and five steals in a resounding win.

Dearica Hamby scored a game-high 25 points and A’ja Wilson added 23 for the Aces (4-2), who cruised to a 59-47 halftime lead and were even more dominant in the second half.

They’ll play the Fever again Sunday at 3 p.m.

Gray came to Las Vegas by way of Los Angeles, where she flourished with the Sparks as one of the best players in the WNBA. The Aces haven’t had a player quite like her.

She’s sturdy, cerebral and skilled at 5 foot, 11 inches, capable of scoring from any spot on the floor and finding open teammates with equal efficiency. She’s learning how to play with them, and they’re adjusting to the nuances of her style. Like the look-away passes in transition, the pocket passes in the pick and roll and the uncanny confidence to take any shot at any time.

It was all on display against the Fever (1-6), who struggled to score and stop the Aces from scoring.

Gray pushed the pace in transition, finding streaking teammates for uncontested layups. And she was methodical in the halfcourt, maneuvering around ball screens to find shooters and cutters.

Or step into her picturesque jumper.

The Fever were at her mercy and may very well be again on Sunday.

And to think, she’s only played six games with the Aces.

“Overall, we’re starting to understand who we are,” Aces coach Bill Laimbeer said. “We’re not there yet … but I think Chelsea Gray is showing why we got her, and she’s fun to watch.”

Riquna Williams scored a season-high 18 points for the Aces.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.