In a showdown between two of the five teams in the league, the Las Vegas Aces - without All-Star Liz Cambage - blew out the Minnesota Lynx 102-81.
After a hard-fought first-quarter, which included nearly all of the game's lead changes and ties, both teams were tied at 27. It was in the second quarter that the Aces separated themselves, outscoring the Lynx 28-14.
Keeping their foot on the gas all through the game, the Aces led by as many as 23 points and finished with five players in double figures. Among them, Jackie Young was the star.
The point guard finished with a career-high 29 points, by making a career-high 14 field goals on 19 attempts, while also recording 10 rebounds, two assists and a block. Reigning league MVP A'ja Wilson was the other notable contributor with 20 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
For the Lynx, who despite the loss hold a 2-1 season series advantage over the Aces, Aerial Powers finished as the top scorer with 20 points.
Phoenix Mercury keep winning
The Phoenix Mercury played spoilsport on Wednesday (ET). A loss for them would have meant that the winner of the Lynx-Aces game would have clinched a first-round bye.
In an earlier game, the Mercury - despite leading for nearly the entirety of the game in Atlanta and without two of their key players in Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner - stole one in Atlanta to keep their winning streak alive.
Trailing by as many as 16 at one point, the Mercury clinched the game 76-75 courtesy of three clutch free-throws by Shey Peddy in the final seconds. Peddy, who started the game, finished with a team-high 18 points.
Phoenix's winning streak now stands at 10, which is tied with the Connecticut Suns for the longest active run of consecutive victories in the league. For the Dream, who succumbed to their 12th loss in the last 13 games, Courtney Williams was the top performer with 20 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
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