​In a season where the Las Vegas Aces are bolstering their ranks and reconfiguring the tail end of their lineup, the moment arrived for them to unleash the most potent weapon in their arsenal. That decision paid off handsomely on Thursday, as A’ja Wilson once again asserted her dominance with a 30-point double-double that propelled the Aces to an 88-80 road victory over the Portland Fire.
“It was really good for 38 minutes,” Aces head coach Becky Hammon said afterward. “It’s more disruptive. Just inching closer to what it needs to look like for four quarters.” The return of the queen of the court was evident from the opening whistle. Wilson picked up where she left off, underscoring why she was on track for what could be a historic fifth MVP award. The Aces leaned on their tried-and-true approach of feeding Wilson, and she rewarded them with a stellar performance: 32 points to lead all scorers, alongside 10 rebounds. She also contributed three assists, two blocks, and two steals, reaffirming her status as a versatile, all-around force even as she works her way back from injury.
“I was just testing my ankle, see if it was ready to rock and roll,” Wilson explained. “I always felt like I was ready a couple games ago, but medical staff said something different. I just knew I had to be aggressive and just take what the defense was giving me.”
Not to be outdone, Jackie Young continued to demonstrate why she merited an All-Star selection in her own right. Young posted 19 points—the most by any Portland player in the game—on an efficient 8-for-11 shooting clip, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. She complemented that scoring with a game-high 11 assists, sealing a double-double in partnership with Wilson. When both of the Aces’ All-Stars were clicking, Las Vegas proved nearly impossible to stop, leaving the Fire with little remedy for the onslaught.
“You know Jack’s going to have the ball a lot for us. We need the ball in her hands a lot,” Hammon commented on Young’s facilitation. “She was just making decisions tonight, getting down in the paint. She had dump-outs, she had spray-outs. That kind of loosened her game up offensively, and she got off a little bit there in the second half, scoring-wise.”
The Aces’ victory wasn’t merely a showcase of elite scoring; it also featured a disciplined defensive effort that stymied Portland’s attempts to mount a comeback. Wilson and Young led a balanced attack, but they were supported by a savvy defensive plan and timely plays across the roster. The Fire’s mistakes and inefficiencies opened windows for Las Vegas to establish an early edge and maintain it, keeping Portland at arm’s length throughout the night. Portland struggled from long range, shooting just 34.4 percent from three, and their leading scorer, Carla Leite, finished with 13 points on an inefficient 2-for-6 night from the floor.
All in all, the Aces’ blend of star power and collective depth shone through in a road win that underscored their championship pedigree. With Wilson anchoring the frontcourt and Young orchestrating the offense, Las Vegas demonstrated that their ceiling remains high as they continue to reintegrate key pieces and reestablish their rhythm. The performance served as a strong reminder that, even in a season of transition, the Aces can lean on their elite talents to control the tempo, dictate the terms of engagement, and secure important victories on the road.