The game where Las Vegas Aces obtained their 12-game winning streak defeating the Atlanta Dream, marked a franchise record. But even with this win, head coach Becky Hammon was not satisfied with the performance of her team, especially on the defensive end.
Hammon Calls for Higher Standards
While addressing the media after the game, Hammon had something to say about the first-half performance of her team:
I did not like our first-half defense at all. Holding an opponent to the teens in a quarter is not good enough-we expect more
The Dream got to score 30 points in the paint during the first half, exposing breakdowns in the Aces’ defensive rotations. Hammon said her players could not let heir guard down while playing against playoff-caliber rivals, regardless of the scoreboard.
A’ja Wilson and Team Respond
Las Vegasunderstood the message in the second half. The Aces held Atlanta to only 16 points in the paint after halftime, shutting off easy baskets and forcing the Dream to put more work in their attack performace.
Star player A’ja Wilson, who scored 34 points and 10 rebounds, summed up Hammon’s message in simple terms:
Play better. Easy buckets are heartbreakers-make it difficult, and you can start to win
Wilson’s dominant evening became her 35th 30-point game, which places her second in WNBA history record, only below Diana Taurasi.
Jackie Young Records Triple-Double
While Wilson paced the team with the scoring, Jackie Young put on a balanced show with her second triple-double this season on 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd added 14 points each, as the Aces managed the pressure during the last stages of the game and came out victorious.
The Aces are now comfortably second in WNBA standings, ranking just behind Minnesota Lynx. Not only did their 12-game winning streak was useful to earn them a franchise record, it also highlights their desire to compete for the goal of achieving a new championship run.
Nevertheless, Hammon’s disappointment represents the high expectations inside the locker room. For the coach, wins are not beneficial if the process is not absolutely perfect:
We want to set the tone every night. That’s the standard
The Aces’ combination of star telent and accountability can be the game-saver as the playoffs loom closer. Wilson is playing MVP level, and Hammon must keep getting better every day, but Las Vegas has shown that it is not just about winning, it is about how they win.
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