Aces make crucial free throws, hold off Lynx

A’ja Wilson made the go-ahead free throw with 20.5 seconds remaining, and the host Las Vegas Aces held on for a 100-97 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night.

Wilson scored a team-high 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting for Las Vegas (10-3), which improved to 5-0 in WNBA Commissioner’s Cup action. She also grabbed game highs of 10 rebounds and three blocks and tallied two steals.

Chelsea Gray added 23 points and drained six 3-pointers for the Aces. Jackie Young recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists, and NaLyssa Smith scored 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting.

Rookie Olivia Miles scored 29 points on 11-for-20 shooting to lead Minnesota (10-3). The Lynx fell to 4-1 in the Commissioner’s Cup standings.

Teammate Natasha Howard just missed a double-double as she finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. Kayla McBride scored 19 points and led the Lynx with five assists.

Las Vegas held a four-point lead after Wilson knocked down a jump shot to put the Aces on top 93-89 with 1:24 to go in the game.

Moments later, Miles scored to pull the Lynx within 93-91 with 1:20 remaining.

Miles was not finished trying to rally the Lynx. She converted a three-point play with a basket and a free throw to give Minnesota a 94-93 lead with 48 seconds left.

The free-throw contest continued when Jewell Loyd was fouled while trying to take a 3-pointer for Las Vegas. She calmly made all three of her free throws, and the Aces regained a 96-94 lead with 44.3 seconds to go.

Miles made what turned out to be the final basket for Minnesota with 24.5 seconds left. Her 3-pointer gave the Lynx a 97-96 advantage.

Wilson changed the lead for good. She made two free throws to put Las Vegas ahead 98-97 with 20.5 seconds to go, and Gray added two more free throws to increase the Aces’ lead to 100-97 with 3.5 seconds left.

Minnesota had a last-ditch 3-point attempt but Courtney Williams missed a 37-footer.

Las Vegas led 57-51 at the half.

–Field Level Media