Since the season resumed after the Olympics, the Aces have been in slow motion. They have won only two games and lost four, with A'ja Wilson and her team losing again last night to the Wings, the second-to-last team in the West.
Yet A'ja Wilson did (almost) everything to allow the Aces to win. The Olympic MVP scored 42 points (the record this season in the WNBA) at 16/22 on shots and added 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. However, Wilson was unable to save hers during the final action of the game since her shot, too long, hit the hoop before going behind the basket.
“I wish I could shoot perfectly every game, but that's not always the case”, Wilson regretted after the defeat. “I don’t really dwell on those things because it takes you out of the moment. I’m going to try to be productive for my team. Today was… but we didn’t get the win, so none of that matters.”
Not skillful enough in attack, not aggressive enough in defense
The Aces were too clumsy to win. Olympic champion Kelsey Plum (8 points) finished the game at 3/10 shooting, and it was not much better for Jackie Young (17 points) at 5/12, including a nasty 1/7 at 3-pointers. Especially since on the other side, three starters reached the 20-point mark. Arike Ogunbowale scored 20, Natasha Howard, 24 and Satou Sabally scored 28 points.
“We didn't defend, we fouled and we didn't rebound. And we still shot terribly from 3-point range,” Becky Hammon said. “So it's a bad combination. […] It can definitely improve, but you have to pay attention to the details. There are ways to reduce the opponents' points simply by being disciplined, by being vigilant.”
Defensively, the numbers are not better, the rebounding battle was clearly lost 40 to 26, leaving in particular 13 offensive rebounds to the Wings.
“We have to find a way to make stops late in the game when it counts, and we didn't show the ability to hold on to our lead, which is disappointing,” adds the Aces coach. “We have to defend. We're not good enough offensively this season to give up 93 points. We didn't shoot well, we didn't move the ball well enough. Everyone has to take responsibility.”
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers attempted; LF = Free throws made / Free throws attempted; O = Offensive rebound; D = Defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose balls; Ct: Blocks; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the court; Pts = Points; Eval: Player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
