A'ja Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in an 88-78 victory against the Toronto Tempo in Vancouver. The win secured the Aces (26-13) a playoff spot, despite trailing the Minnesota Lynx by five games. The Tempo (11-26) faced challenges with injuries, losing key players like Julie Allemand during the game, compounded by already absent Brittney Sykes and Aneesah Morrow. Kia Nurse was the standout for Toronto, scoring 19 points to keep the game competitive. A pivotal three-pointer from Stephanie Talbot at 2:20 in the first quarter set the tone for the Aces' victory.

By the Numbers
  • A'ja Wilson scored 27 points, contributing to the Aces' overall victory.
  • The Aces secured their playoff position with a record of 26-13.
  • The Tempo's shooting struggled, finishing at 29-for-66 from the field.
  • 15,877 fans attended the game, bringing the total attendance for two Vancouver games to 28,291.
Yes, But

Despite the Aces' strong performance, the Tempo's struggles and injuries highlighted the challenges facing the team, indicating that their current roster may not sustain competitiveness in the playoffs.

State of Play
  • The Aces have secured a playoff spot but trail the Minnesota Lynx by five games.
  • The Tempo faced significant injuries, impacting their roster depth and effectiveness on the court.
What's Next

The Aces are set to host the Toronto Tempo again on Friday, while the Tempo will visit the Seattle Storm on Wednesday. These matchups will be crucial for both teams as they maneuver through the season.

Bottom Line

The Aces showcased their playoff readiness despite facing less intensive competition, while the Toronto Tempo's injuries and performance issues raise concerns for their future games and overall season viability.