The Las Vegas Aces (25-13) travel to face the Toronto Tempo (11-25) on Sunday, August 23, with both teams coming off wins. The Aces look to solidify playoff seeding, while the Tempo aim to build on snapping a 12-game skid.
The Las Vegas Aces (25-13) and Toronto Tempo (11-25) meet Sunday at 7:00 PM ET in a matchup that pits a playoff-bound Western Conference contender against an Eastern Conference squad fighting for respectability. The Aces, fresh off clinching a playoff berth, are seeking to improve their seeding, while the Tempo hope to build on their first win in 13 games. With both teams riding momentum, the edge appears to lie with Las Vegas’s superior depth and star power, but Toronto’s recent resilience and home-court advantage could make this closer than expected.
Las Vegas Aces: Clinched and Rolling
The Aces enter with a 25-13 record, third in the Western Conference, after a dominant 101-78 win over the Connecticut Sun on Thursday. Jackie Young led all scorers with 24 points and added 5 assists, while A’ja Wilson contributed 20 points. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds. That victory extended Las Vegas’s series win streak against Connecticut to 11 games and locked up a playoff spot, joining Minnesota, Golden State, and Indiana.
However, the Aces are not without concerns. They are missing Brittney Griner, Dana Evans, Rayah Marshall, and Aaliyah Edwards, all listed as out, with Raegan Beers day-to-day. The team’s last loss, a 97-82 defeat at Atlanta on August 18, saw head coach Becky Hammon ejected in the first half. With seeding still up for grabs, the Aces will look to avoid a letdown against a weaker opponent.
Toronto Tempo: Snapping the Skid
The Tempo improved to 11-25 (5-11 Eastern Conference) with an 82-79 victory over the Portland Fire on Friday, snapping a 12-game losing streak. Isabelle Harrison was the star, recording 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Julie Allemand dished out 6 assists. The win came at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, and Toronto now returns home to face a much tougher test.
Toronto’s injury report is extensive: Aneesah Morrow, Maria Conde, Brittney Sykes, Marina Mabrey, Nyara Sabally, Luisa Geiselsoder, Sarah Ashlee Barker, and Sania Feagin are all out. This short-handed roster will need another Herculean effort from Harrison and strong contributions from role players to compete with the Aces’ firepower.
Head-to-Head: Harrison vs. the Aces’ Defense
The key matchup to watch is Isabelle Harrison against a Las Vegas frontcourt that has been solid but is missing Griner. Harrison is coming off a 25-and-10 double-double and has been the focal point of the Toronto offense. The Aces will likely throw multiple defenders at her, but if she can establish an inside presence, it could open up looks for Toronto’s perimeter shooters. On the other end, Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson will test a Toronto defense that has struggled all season, ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed.
- Las Vegas averages 95.2 points per game, while Toronto allows 88.4 per contest.
- The Aces have won 11 straight against the Sun, but their last loss was at Atlanta on August 18.
- Toronto’s last win before Friday was on July 28, a span of 12 games.
- Jackie Young has scored 20+ points in three of her last five games.
- Isabelle Harrison has posted double-doubles in two of her last three outings.
Prediction: Aces’ Depth Proves Too Much
Despite Toronto’s emotional win and home crowd, the Aces are simply the better team. With playoff seeding on the line, Las Vegas should come out focused and overwhelm the short-handed Tempo. Expect a double-digit victory for the Aces, as they extend their winning ways and inch closer to a higher seed. Prediction: Las Vegas Aces 98, Toronto Tempo 82.
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