Wilson, Young double up to lift Aces past Tempo 93-73 in first game without Smith

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A’ja Wilson had 27 points and eight rebounds, Jackie Young scored 23 points, and the Las Vegas Aces beat the Toronto Tempo 93-73 on Friday night.

Young also had eight assists with no turnovers. Chelsea Gray added 11 points. It was the Aces’ first game without NaLyssa Smith, who was lost for the remainder of the season after suffering a left leg injury in Sunday’s 88-78 win over Toronto.

Isabelle Harrison scored 15 points for Toronto (11-28), while Laura Juskaite had 14, Kia Nurse scored 12, and Kiki Rice and reserve Kiana Williams had 10 apiece.

With Friday’s win, the Aces (27-13) maintained their one-game lead for third place in the WNBA playoff race ahead of Indiana (26-14), which beat Connecticut 111-91.

Young’s 3-pointer broke an 8-8 tie and Las Vegas led for the remainder of the game.

The Aces finished the first quarter ahead 27-17, shooting 10 for 20 including 6-of-12 from 3-point range. Toronto committed nine turnovers in the first.

Las Vegas maintained its hot shooting into the second and built a 56-39 halftime lead.

Though cooling from beyond the arc in the quarter (1-for-6), Las Vegas still finished at a 50 per cent shooting clip (18-for-36).

Toronto committed 12 personal fouls in the first half and the Aces made them pay by shooting 13 for 14 from the foul line.

UP NEXT

Tempo: Visit the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday.

Aces: Visit the Seattle Storm on Thursday, Sept. 17.

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