Kelsey Plum, Aces pour it on in win over Mystics

Kelsey Plum’s sizzling shooting generated 28 points as the Aces ran away from the visiting Washington Mystics 98-77 on Thursday night.

Plum shot 10-for-13, including 6-for-9 on 3-pointers, while Jackie Young poured in 20 points and provided 10 assists and A’ja Wilson had 18 points for Las Vegas (12-6), which increased its season-best winning streak to six games.

Wilson shot 9-for-12, contributing to the Aces’ 59.4 percent shooting. Their shooting accuracy helped make up for 18 turnovers. Plum’s 28 points followed a 34-point effort vs. Indiana on Tuesday.

Mystics reserve Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 10 of her 19 points in the first half. Ariel Atkins added 18 points and Emily Engstler recorded 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

The Mystics (5-16) had won five of their past eight games and were coming off a triumph Tuesday in Los Angeles, where they posted a big fourth-quarter comeback. That wasn’t in the works this time.

Washington hung within 59-45 as the midway mark of the third quarter approached. Then Young and Wilson sparked a burst of offense and the Aces were rolling. They ended up with 35 third-quarter points, boosted by a pair of 3-point baskets from Plum in a 24-second span late in the quarter.

The margin reached 30 points in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. The Aces appeared headed toward the 100-point mark for the second time this season, but they slowed the pace by scoring just five points in the last 3½ minutes.

Las Vegas was up 48-35 at halftime. The Aces shot 56.3 percent in the half, when Plum racked up 16 points. She had four of the team’s six 3-point baskets.

Las Vegas has defeated the Mystics twice in a six-day span; the Aces also won 88-77 on Saturday at Washington.

–Field Level Media