GAME RECAP: Las Vegas Aces Claim 86-68 Victory on the Road Against the Connecticut Sun
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT (July 6, 2025)—In a strong statement game, the Las Vegas Aces (9-9) delivered an impressive 86-68 triumph over the Connecticut Sun (2-16) on Sunday evening. From the opening tip, the Aces showcased their dominance, scoring first and never looking back. Led by standout performances from A’ja Wilson, Dana Evans, Jackie Young, and NaLyssa Smith, the Aces demonstrated their depth and resilience throughout the contest.
Scoring Leaders
A’ja Wilson topped the scoring charts with 19 points, affirming her status as one of the league’s elite players. The burst of energy from Dana Evans proved vital, as she contributed a season-high 18 points, providing a much-needed scoring outlet. Meanwhile, Jackie Young added 14 points, and NaLyssa Smith recorded a notable double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. This strong five-player attack marked a well-rounded effort crucial for the Aces’ victory.
Chelsea Gray’s Historic Night
Chelsea Gray turned in an exceptional playmaking performance, dishing out a season-high 8 assists. With this accomplishment, she surpassed Aces head coach Becky Hammon to ascend to No. 6 on the WNBA all-time assists list. Gray’s vision and strategic passing on the court were pivotal in maintaining the Aces’ tempo and flow throughout the game.
Connecticut’s Challenge
For the Sun, Aneesah Morrow emerged as a bright spot, scoring 12 points. However, the squad struggled to match the Aces’ intensity and offensive prowess, ultimately falling short. Despite some valiant efforts to close the gap, Connecticut found it challenging to execute consistently against a disciplined Aces defense.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter Highlights:
The Aces jumped out to an early lead, with a 6-0 run setting the tone. Despite the Sun’s attempts to rally, they never led, scoring only 12 points in the quarter, while the Aces maintained a steady pace with a solid 53.3% shooting. Both teams struggled from the three-point range, combining for 0 of 9 attempts.
Second Quarter Highlights:
Healthy scoring continued as Connecticut leveled the game at 16-all, but a powerful 13-2 run from the Aces secured their first double-digit lead at 29-18. The Aces increased their shooting percentage to 58.8%, while Connecticut managed a respectable 41.2%. The free throw disparity shifted in favor of the Aces, who capitalized by shooting 5 of 7 from the line.
Third Quarter Highlights:
The Aces maintained their lead, with the Sun managing to cut it to as few as 12 points. However, a late 11-3 surge by Las Vegas ended the quarter with a comfortable 20-point lead. The Aces displayed excellent shooting from beyond the arc, making 5 of 9 three-pointers against the Sun’s inconsistent offense.
Fourth Quarter Highlights:
Connecticut attempted to stage a comeback in the final quarter but found themselves unable to threaten significantly. The Aces shot 46.2% in this period, and Evans netted 11 points to conclude the game strongly. Morrow, leading the charge for the Sun in the fourth, could not overcome the deficit.
Key Stats
The Aces shot an impressive 54% from the field, their best performance of the year, while holding the Sun to just 38.1%. An efficient post game allowed Las Vegas to dominate in points in the paint (44-26) and second-chance points (12-6). Aces capitalized on Connecticut’s 14 turnovers, scoring 13 points off them, though they also allowed the Sun to convert 19 points off their own turnovers.
Game Notes
Chelsea Gray’s path to becoming one of only five players in WNBA history to reach 4,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 1,500 assists, 400 steals, and 100 blocked shots is within reach, as she sits with 4,146 points and just needs a few more key defensive stats.
NaLyssa Smith, stepping into her starting role for only the second time with the Aces, showcased her potential with a strong double-double. Meanwhile, Wilson’s streak of scoring in double figures extends to 66 regular-season games, the longest active streak in the league.
Upcoming Schedule
With this victory, the Aces continue their five-game road trip, facing off against the New York Liberty (12-6) on July 8, followed by a matchup against the Washington Mystics (8-10) on July 10. The Aces will look to build on this momentum as they challenge tougher opponents in the coming weeks.
This game illustrates not only the Aces’ growing prowess but also sets the stage for an intriguing second half of the season as they vie for playoff positioning.