Aces vs. Wings Preview: Final Regular Season Showdown as Aces Rest Key Players and Wings’ Motivation Remains Uncertain

On September 20, the final game of the WNBA regular season will take place with the Aces hosting the Wings. The current standings in the WNBA regular season are largely set, with only minor changes possible. The Aces stand at fourth position with a record of 26 wins and 13 losses, while the Wings sit second-to-last with 9 wins and 30 losses, having already been eliminated from playoff contention.

The Wings have recently hit rock bottom, suffering an eighth consecutive loss after falling to the Fever in their last match. The Wings are a team that is strong offensively but weak defensively. While they can score, their defense has been consistently poor, leading to high points allowed per game. However, the Wings have performed well in controlling rebounds, averaging 34.6 rebounds per game, ranking them fourth in the league. Their 10.4 offensive rebounds per game have significantly benefited their second-chance scoring opportunities. Had they improved their defense, the Wings could have had a much better season, but unfortunately, their defensive failures cost them a playoff spot.

In their most recent game, the Wings narrowly lost 109-110 to the Fever on the road, being overturned despite leading by 2 points at halftime. The team put up a valiant effort, though possibly their morale was dampened by their early elimination from playoff contention. Reviewing this game, the Wings were not effective enough in their perimeter defense, allowing the opponent to score 48 points through three-pointers. Despite their rebounding advantage, issues with turnovers and fouls persisted. Even with a shooting percentage of 56.8%, which is quite high, the Wings still couldn’t secure a win.

In this game, four players from the Wings scored in double digits, with Ogunbowale putting up 27 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists, Sabally contributing 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Howard achieving a double-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Unfortunately, these efforts proved futile. Beyond the mentioned issues, the Wings rely heavily on their starters, with their bench not matching up to the Fever’s depth.

While the Aces have secured their playoff berth, their performance this season has not matched up to last year’s standards. Nonetheless, the team has been in good form recently, winning their last game 85-72 on the road, extending their winning streak to four games, with an 80% win rate over their past ten matches, helping them maintain a respectable ranking.

Heading into the final round of the season, the Aces average 86.1 points per game, leading the league, indicating their strong offensive capabilities. Notably, the Aces also excel in outside shooting, averaging 9.3 three-pointers made per game, placing them among the league leaders. Additionally, they have demonstrated excellent ball control, committing just 10.8 turnovers per game, the fewest in the league. The primary reason for the Aces’ less impressive showing this season compared to last year is a lack of consistency.

In their previous game, the Aces defeated the Storm 85-72 away from home. They started the game strongly, establishing an 11-point lead in the first quarter. Although their scoring in the second and third quarters was modest, the Aces regained their momentum in the final quarter, especially by limiting the Storm to just two three-pointers, showcasing their solid perimeter defense.

Five players from the Aces scored in double figures during the game, including Plum and Wilson who both contributed 21 points and 7 rebounds each, Young adding 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, along with contributions from Gray and Hayes, ensuring a well-rounded attack from the Aces.

The teams have met three times this season, with the Aces winning two of those encounters. However, in their most recent meeting, the Wings pulled off a surprising 93-90 upset victory at home. With the regular season standings mostly settled, the Wings’ motivation for this game remains questionable. Will they aim to end the season on a winning note or give up without a fight? Tomorrow’s game will reveal more, as the Aces rest several key players, providing an opportunity for the Wings to potentially end their eight-game losing streak and conclude the 2024 season on a positive note.

>>”>More predictions for this game can be found here>>>