After a tough run in the middle of the season, the Las Vegas Aces are turning things around. The Aces got a big 86-83 win over the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night to extend their win streak to six.
Las Vegas star A'ja Wilson had another massive game, putting up 30 points and 16 rebounds. And afterward, Wilson dropped an all-time simile to describe the frustration and newfound patience she's had this season.
"And I told myself after (the) All-Star break to just let the game come to me, like it's gonna be what it's gonna be," Wilson said postgame. "If I try (to) force it because I want this win so bad for my team, it's like forcing a fart. All you get is s***.
"I've just really learned to be patient with myself, but also with my teammates," she added.
Chelsea Gray, who literally dropped her jaw after Wilson's remark, could only say one thing in response: "That's gonna go viral."
Wilson's performance was her seventh 30-point game this season, and her 16th double-double. Her most recent 30-point double-double was last Sunday, as the 29-year-old center put up 32 points and 20 rebounds in a historic showing against the Connecticut Sun.
Wilson is currently averaging 22.3 points and 10 rebounds per game, and leads the Aces in most of the major categories, including steals, blocks and minutes played.
But Wilson's success also means a lot of pressure is on her to lead the Aces. Las Vegas has only lost two of Wilson's double-double games this season, meaning 12 of the team's 14 losses have come on days when Wilson wasn't operating at her highest (though still very high) level.
On Friday, at least, Wilson had a little bit more help. Gray put up 16 points and 9 assists, while Jackie Young had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in the win. Jewell Loyd had 10 points off the bench.
Are the Aces turning their season around?
The Aces started the season 5-5, showing some early issues and prompting some key questions. Though things started to tick up again, Las Vegas then came out of the All-Star break with a couple of brutal games, including a 31-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx followed by a historic 53-point loss to the Lynx a week later.
But since the latter loss, the Aces have yet to lose. Sure, there was a win over the league-worst Connecticut Sun, but also a win over the No. 2 New York Liberty, a pair of wins over the red-hot Golden State Valkyries, and Friday night's victory over the 19-13 Mercury.
After several dominant years and back-to-back championships, there's been a relative slump for the Aces the past two seasons. But things are going better for Las Vegas as the team approaches the home stretch of the regular season. The Aces are 20-14, ranked No. 5 and well in place for a playoff position; Wilson, a three-time league MVP, looks in fine form again.
Plus, Las Vegas has some easy opponents upcoming, including the Dallas Wings on Sunday and a pair of games against the Chicago Sky. It might not be an easy cruise to the postseason, but things are looking up again.
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