History is on the Line in Dallas — A Win Tonight Puts the Aces Above .500 for the First Time Ever
The Las Vegas Aces have been playing basketball since 2018 but this franchise's history goes all the way back to 1997 as the Utah Starzz and then the San Antonio Stars. Nearly three decades. Three WNBA championships. One of the most dominant rosters in the history of the league.
And in all that time through Utah, through San Antonio, through Las Vegas this franchise has never been above .500 all-time. (per Las Vegas Aces PR)
Tonight that changes. Or at least it can.
The Aces head to College Park Center in Dallas at 5pm PT on USA Network with an even 495-495 all-time record. A win tonight puts them at 496-495 above .500 for the first time in franchise history. That's not just a game. That's a piece of history that this organization has been building toward for nearly three decades.
And there's plenty more on the line.
The Commissioner's Cup is still up for grabs
Las Vegas enters tonight's game 5-0 in Commissioner's Cup play but they have not yet clinched a berth in the June 30 championship game. They need to win at least one of their final two CC games tonight at Dallas and Wednesday at Phoenix to be assured of playing in the title game against the New York Liberty who clinched their Eastern Conference spot earlier today. The Aces are No. 1 in the Western Conference CC standings with a plus-44 point differential. Minnesota is right behind them at 4-1 with a plus-78 differential.
Chelsea Gray is in historic territory right now
Let me put this in perspective for you. Over the last two games Gray has made a combined 15 three-pointers tying Kayla McBride and Diana Taurasi for the WNBA record for most made threes over a two-game span. She had nine against Portland on June 11 tying the WNBA record for threes in a single game and followed that with six more against Minnesota on Saturday. 29 points and 23 points respectively in those two games the seventh time in her 12-year career she has posted consecutive 20-point games.
Chelsea Gray is in a zone right now that I have never seen from her before and that is saying something. She is 3 rebounds away from passing Kayla McBride for 11th in franchise history. Keep an eye on that tonight.
A'ja Wilson is chasing more records
Of course she is. Wilson leads the league with 2.4 blocks per game and ranks second in scoring at 26.2 points per game averaging 28.5 over the current six-game winning streak. Tonight she is one offensive rebound away from breaking a tie with Sophia Young-Malcolm for No. 1 in franchise history in that category. Jewell Loyd needs just two made free throws to pass Sylvia Fowles for No. 17 all-time.
The record watch with this team never stops.
Jackie Young has found another gear
After averaging just 9.3 points per game in the first six games of the season, Young has erupted averaging 20.6 points per game over the last seven contests including three 20-plus point games. Her average is now up to 15.4 for the season. This team looks completely different when she is locked in offensively.
NaLyssa Smith leads the league in field goal percentage
69 percent. NaLyssa Smith is shooting 69 percent from the field the best mark in the entire WNBA. She has scored at least 12 points in three straight games including her first double-double of the season on June 11 with 12 points and 10 rebounds. She has improved in every statistical category from 2025 minutes, scoring, rebounds, and field goal percentage. Smith is quietly having the best season of her career and it is time to start talking about her accordingly.
The Wings are dangerous don't sleep on them
Dallas comes in at 8-5 and has won seven of their last ten games. They lead the league in assists at 23.3 per game and 70.8 percent of their made field goals are assisted second best in the WNBA. They are a team that moves the ball, shares it, and makes you guard everyone on the floor simultaneously.
Paige Bueckers leads them in scoring at 19.8 points per game and assists at 5.8 per game though her status is out tonight after missing the June 13 game with a right ankle injury. Her most recent outing before that was a season-high 31 points on 70 percent shooting her third career 30-point game. When Bueckers is healthy and locked in she is one of the most dangerous guards in the league.
Jessica Shepard is having a career year averaging double-doubles for the first time ever with 13.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game alongside 5.8 assists. She had a triple-double against the Aces the last time these teams met 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 95-87 Dallas win on May 28. The Aces know exactly what she is capable of and they will need to be better against her tonight than they were in that game.
Dallas has also seen success since inserting Azzi Fudd and Maddy Siegrist into the starting lineup both of whom debuted against the Aces in that May 28 matchup. This is a team with momentum and it will take the Aces best effort to beat them on their home floor.
Last time out between these two
The Aces lost 95-87 in Dallas on May 28 hitting just 27.3 percent from the field in the fourth quarter after shooting 50 percent through the first three. That cold shooting down the stretch has been a theme at times this season and it cost them that game. Tonight the Aces will be looking to correct it.
My take
Above .500 for the first time in franchise history. A Commissioner's Cup berth on the line. Chelsea Gray in historic three-point territory. A'ja Wilson chasing another franchise record. Jackie Young playing the best basketball of her season. NaLyssa Smith leading the league in field goal percentage.
And a Dallas Wings team that beat them the last time they played and will be ready at home tonight.
This is exactly the kind of road game that separates good teams from great ones. The Aces have won six straight. They are built for this moment. Let's see them make history tonight.
Tip off is 5pm PT on USA and The Spot-Vegas 34. Her Game Network will be watching every minute.
Game Status: Evans — Out | Carter — NWT (Illness)
Next: at Phoenix Mercury, Wednesday June 17, 7pm PT, USA Network the Aces first return to Phoenix since winning the 2025 championship there on October 10.