LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”
LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”
LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”
LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”
LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”
LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”
LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”
LAS VEGAS — Aces coach Becky Hammon mentioned when workforce officers requested her about transferring Tuesday’s sport with the Indiana Fever to the bigger T-Cellular Area, her solely query was, “Can we earn money?”
Instructed they might, Hammon mentioned, “Transfer it!” The consequence was a sellout crowd of 20,366, the fifth largest in WNBA historical past and largest regular-season crowd at a WNBA sport since 1999. They watched the Aces — led by a season-high 34 factors from Kelsey Plum — defeat the Fever 88-69.
Indiana has change into accustomed to huge crowds at residence and on the street this season, as the recognition of No. 1 draft decide Caitlin Clark has helped the Fever drive up their attendance. Sunday’s Fever-Mercury sport in Phoenix drew 17,071 followers, the biggest crowd at Footprint Middle since 1997.
There have been eight video games in WNBA historical past to attract not less than 20,000 followers. 4 got here within the opening years of the league, from 1997 to ’99. There have been two from 2000 to ’23. Two have come this yr, each Fever video games — Tuesday night time and June 7 at Washington, when the Fever and Mystics drew 20,333.
The Aces sometimes play at Michelob Extremely Area at Mandalay Bay, which holds about 12,000. They’ve had a few video games in earlier seasons at T-Cellular Area, residence of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and may have one other for the Sept. 3 matchup with the Chicago Sky and common rookie Angel Reese.
“Actually, it was most likely top-of-the-line we have had from like an vitality standpoint,” Clark, who had 13 factors, 6 rebounds and 11 assists, mentioned of the group. “The quantity of individuals right here simply watching warmups, I really feel like that is after I can sort of get a gauge on how good the group is or how excited they’re in regards to the sport.
“Clearly, they’re all the time excited, however tonight it simply felt very completely different. There have been simply mobs of individuals watching us heat up. It is tremendous cool to be part of. I hope everyone loved it. And likewise, I hope everyone noticed how good the Aces are. Their followers present up and are unimaginable.”
Las Vegas, 11-6 and on a five-game profitable streak, is the two-time defending WNBA champion and the workforce that others just like the Fever aspire to emulate. The Aces have 4 gamers on the U.S. girls’s 5-on-5 Olympic workforce: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Plum and Jackie Younger.
Wilson proper now tasks because the clear front-runner for WNBA MVP; she had 28 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked photographs Tuesday. Younger had 15 factors and 10 assists. And Plum, together with her season-high 34, grew to become the fourth participant in franchise historical past to hit the three,000-point mark. That group additionally contains Wilson and Hammon, who performed for the franchise when it was nonetheless in San Antonio.
“When you’ll be able to shoot it like she will be able to shoot it, and she or he’s quick — that is the toughest factor in basketball,” Hammon mentioned of Plum. “To protect a live-ball closeout with any individual who can shoot, drive, cross and shut out within the paint.”
Plum was one among 5 No. 1 draft picks taking part in Tuesday, together with teammates Wilson and Younger and Indiana’s Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Tuesday was additionally when the Crew WNBA All-Star roster was introduced, and it contains Fever gamers Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell.
They’ll face Crew USA, which has the 4 Aces gamers, within the All-Star Sport on July 20 in Phoenix.
The Aces have been one of many best-drawing groups within the WNBA for the reason that franchise moved to Las Vegas in 2018. They’ve offered out the rest of their residence video games.
Tuesday night time, although, did really feel further particular.
“There have been a few occasions you could possibly really feel the constructing was about to erupt,” Hammon mentioned. “There’s numerous eyes on us now. Vegas has been exhibiting up, although, for the previous few years, so I am not shocked. It was fairly loud in there. The extra followers the merrier, whoever you are coming to observe.”