Jackie Young’s season-high 32 points help Aces clinch playoff berth

The three-time WNBA champions are set to return to the playoffs for an eighth straight year. Las Vegas defeated the Washington Mystics 83-76 as the Los Angeles Sparks dropped a road game against the New York Liberty, keeping the franchise’s hopes alive for a fourth league title in five seasons. The Aces sit third in the WNBA standings with nine games left on the regular‑season slate. Guard Jackie Young paced Las Vegas with a season‑high 32 points, adding two rebounds and five assists while Vegas completed a two‑game sweep of Washington and clinched the regular‑season series. “It is present a mates of games successful a enactment that we person won 4th quarters,” Aces manager Becky Hammon said. “It has been a small spot of a conflict country for us, but I spot our defence picking up.” Young also moved closer to two career milestones: she needs one made free throw to reach 750 for her career and one assist to overtake Odyssey Sims for No. 28 on the WNBA’s all‑time list. Although A’ja Wilson did not notch her third double‑double in five games, the four‑time MVP still contributed 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Wilson requires one more block to become the sixth player in WNBA history to reach 600. The Aces arrived Thursday off an 86-76 victory over Washington on Tuesday that ended the Mystics’ seven‑game winning streak. Thursday’s win gave Las Vegas its sixth triumph in the last ten games, lifting the home record to 10‑5 this season. “We were capable to bash capable connected the violative extremity to get retired of here,” Hammon said, “but it is pugnacious to bushed a squad back-to-back in itself.” Despite losing the rebounding battle 35-27, Las Vegas found its range from beyond the arc down the stretch, hitting six 3‑pointers in the second half to help build a game‑high 12‑point lead in the fourth quarter. The Aces continued their defensive success, holding Washington under 80 points for the second straight game and the tenth time this season. “That is simply a pugnacious squad to clasp successful the 70s erstwhile they person that benignant of firepower,” Hammon said. “They tin enactment a load connected america successful the paint, but I thought we didn’t fto anybody other get off, which was great.” Las Vegas forced 17 turnovers, including 11 in the first half, creating extra scoring chances that helped preserve the advantage. “I thought we stole immoderate possessions precocious with the zone,” Hammon said. “We conscionable person to enactment 1 possession astatine a time, and yet implicit the people of the crippled we person six, seven, 8 possessions.” “That is starting to physique a bully basal and a bully toolbox for wherever we tin usage it aboriginal successful the playoffs.” The turning point arrived in the final ten minutes when Young sparked a 9‑0 run, converting four of five free‑throw attempts to push Las Vegas ahead 74‑64. Center Shakira Austin paced Washington with 29 points and eight rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field, extending her streak of games with at least 15 points to nine straight outings. The Aces will continue their five‑game homestand on Saturday against the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx. Las Vegas has split its first two encounters with Minnesota this season, prevailing 100‑97 on June 13 before falling 98‑87 the following Saturday in Minneapolis.