Las Vegas Aces Host Minnesota Lynx in Crucial WNBA Matchup

Two of the best teams in the WNBA will face off on Saturday night when the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces host the first-place Minnesota Lynx at the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both teams have already clinched playoff spots and are the only teams to do so, making this matchup a crucial one in determining the WNBA’s No. 1 seed.

This is the third and final meeting between the clubs this season, with the Aces winning a thriller back in June and the Lynx cruising to a comfortable win last weekend. The team that wins Saturday’s matchup will take the season series, which could be important for tiebreak purposes.

The Lynx have been on a hot streak, winning 13 of their last 14 games and are now 28-7 on the season. They have a three-game lead on the Golden State Valkyries and a four-game lead on the Aces with nine games to play. The Lynx do have the hardest remaining schedule in the league, with an average opponent winning percentage of .613, but it’s going to be hard for either contender to catch them. A win over the Aces on Saturday would effectively end Las Vegas’ hopes.

Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson is well on her way to winning that award for a third consecutive season and a record-extending fifth time in her career, but she’s gotten plenty of help in recent weeks. Since the All-Star break, Jackie Young has matched Wilson’s scoring while also leading the team in assists. In eight games since play resumed, Young is averaging 25.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists on 53.7/45.6/92 shooting splits. During that period, Young is third in the league in scoring and ninth in assists, and the Aces have a 118.9 offensive rating with her on the floor, compared to a 79.6 rating when she sits.

Young has been playing some of the best basketball of her career and is making a genuine push for a First Team All-WNBA spot. At the very least, Young has likely ensured her third All-WNBA honor. As for the Lynx, they have been the best road team in the league this season, with a 14-2 record and a plus-10.7 net rating away from the Target Center.

With Napheesa Collier back from offseason surgery on both ankles, the Lynx are on track to clinch the No. 1 seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Collier has hit the ground running, averaging 19.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks on 52.2/48.5/82.6 shooting splits in her first eight games. Meanwhile, rookie sensation Olivia Miles has kept up her incredible play, and Kayla McBride is putting up 22.8 points on absurd 53.1/50/95.2 splits since the start of July.

As for the Aces, they will be looking to contain the Lynx’s high-powered offense, which has been averaging 93.5 points per game this season. The Aces have a strong defense, allowing just 84.1 points per game, but they will need to step up their game to contain the Lynx’s potent attack.

The matchup between the Lynx and Aces is shaping up to be one of the most exciting games of the season, with both teams bringing their A-game. Who will come out on top? The answer will be revealed on Saturday night at the Michelob Ultra Arena.

The game will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+, with the live stream available on Paramount+. The odds for the game are Lynx -2.5, with an over/under of 182.5.

The Lynx have been the better team all season, and it’s hard to see them losing to the Aces on Saturday. The Lynx have been the best road team in the league this season, and they have the talent and depth to take down the Aces at home.

In conclusion, the matchup between the Lynx and Aces is a must-watch for any WNBA fan. The two teams have been the best in the league all season, and this game will be a great opportunity to see them in action.