Wilson scores 28 with 17 rebounds as Aces beat Mystics

WASHINGTON (AP) — A'ja Wilson scored 28 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, Kelsey Plum scored 22 points and the Las Vegas Aces rallied from a 13-point second-quarter deficit to beat the Washington Mystics 89-77 on Sunday for their fourth win in a row.

Tiffany Hayes tied her season best with 17 points and added a season-high five assists for Las Vegas (16-7).

The Aces — who started the season 6-6, matching their loss total from the 2023 regular season in the first 12 games of 2024 — have won 10 of their last 11 since the return of point guard Chelsea Gray. The 2022 WNBA Finals MVP returned from a foot injured (suffered in the 2023 Finals) on June 19 and Las Vegas has nine wins by 10-plus points since her debut.

Plum hit a driving layup about three minutes into the second half to give the Aces a 44-43 lead, their first since 2-0, and Wilson took over, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the third quarter as Las Vegas took a 65-62 lead into the fourth and never again trailed.

Ariel Atkins tied her career high with six 3-pointers and finished with a career-best 36 points on 13-of-25 shooting for Washington (6-18).

Atkins hit four of Washington's six 3-pointers and scored 16 points as the Mystics jumped to a 31-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Atkins made a midrange pullup jumper, a 3-pointer and a running floater to give Washington a 7-2 lead. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Atkins hit 3s 47 seconds apart to make it 22-9 with 3:49 left.

The Mystics, who made 12 of 20 from the field in the opening period, were 4-of-16 shooting with six turnovers in the second quarter as the two-time defending WNBA champions climbed back into the game. Hayes, Plum and Jackie Young each hit a 3-pointer in a 9-0 spurt that tied the score for the first time since 2-2 before Julie Vanloo's 3 gave Washington a 43-40 lead at halftime.

Atkins scored 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 4 of 6 from 3-point range, for the Mystics in the first half. Plum led Las Vegas with 12 points and Wilson added 10.

Las Vegas swept the season series with Washington, winning all three games by double figures.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball