Notes:

A’ja Wilson (19 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 30th straight time to start her WNBA career.

Kayla McBride (18 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 26th time this season.

Kelsey Plum (20 points) reached double figures in scoring for the 12th time this season.

The Aces 18-point margin of victory is the team’s second largest of the season.

Indiana made a season-high 10 3-point field goals.

Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians, the most prolific rookie 3-point shooting duo in WNBA history, became the first rookie pair on the same team to both make more than 60 3-point field goals in a season. Mitchell (66 for the season) hit both her treys in the first half to move into third place on the all-time chart for rookie 3-pointers, trailing only Tamika Catchings and Crystal Robinson who share the league’s rookie record with 76. Vivians (61) made two on Saturday and is sixth on the list.

Las Vegas Aces Postgame Quotes

1. Indiana Fever, August 11, 2018

Head Coach Bill Laimbeer

I thought we played a better game tonight. I thought that we were engaged from the start. We had a lot of good performances from a lot of people. It’s nice to see Kayla McBride have a nice game again. Plum’s continuing to improve. I’m happy that we were able to give our bench a lot of time. I’ve been on their case lately and they played some quality minutes tonight. But at the end of the day it’s just one game. We have another one coming up on Wednesday against a much harder team against New York. That’s all we’re focused on. Our focus is exclusively on New York. Whatever happens with other teams is their business. We’re just going to continue to plug away. Overall, I was pleased with how we came to play tonight, and we got a win.

On player’s approach to the game 

We knew we had a chance to win this game if we came out and played our game which I think we did, but they know what the stakes are right now.  I made that speech to them yesterday, they’re feeling a little bit of pressure because they were in a position to compete for a playoff spot and I just told them that they weren’t expected to have a chance at the playoffs so there’s no pressure. Just go out and play basketball and take it one game at a time and that’s what they did tonight

On their transition offense 

When we run, we’re pretty good.  A’ja is going up and down the floor getting some pretty easy baskets, we got some good layups and we moved the ball very well in the first half.  When we push the ball with pace it skews the defense and we get good open looks

On having some days off 

I told them all I’m not going to the gym tomorrow and I don’t expect any of them to go to the gym tomorrow.  We’ve been in a long slug here for a while, we need a day off and tomorrow’s that day.  We’ll go back to work on Monday and Tuesday in preparing for New York, but everyone needs this day off tomorrow.

A’ja Wilson

On the win:

“I think we all knew we needed to get a win and we all came out with great energy. The crowd helped us of course but we were definitely laser focused.”

On team aggressiveness: 

“We wanted to set the tone, and to speak for myself, that’s always what my main goal is; I like to come in and let the other team know we’re not backing down. We’re really trying to make this playoff push and we know we’re right there, so we’re really trying to break through whether it’s points, rebounds, or blocked shots, anything coming from anybody sets the tone for us in the start of the game.”

On bench production:

“They contributed a lot and that’s what we need. I think we have the best bench in the league, we have great depth when they really come to play. I think coach really got on them which helped them out and helped build their confidence. We need them, especially during the stretch because you never know about foul trouble or if people aren’t having great games; so we really need our bench to come through and provide for us, which is what they’ve done. It might not be putting points on the board, but they bring energy which helps us starters. We know there won’t be a (production) dropoff because us starters know they’ll maintain.”

On Kelsey’s improvements:

“She’s done a great job and has started to form into the player we all saw and know her to be, and that’s what we need especially around this time. She has confidence in her shot and that’s who she is as a point guard. Knocking down her shots early opens up the lane for us post players as well. When we’re all moving the ball and clicking we are a very hard team to stop.”

On having fun while staying focused:

“It really came out at the start of the game; we were all set that we needed this win but at the same time we didn’t want to overthink everything. We really trust and lean on each other and that’s what it’s all about. We’re having fun and I think the crowd helped us out as well….. Once we get loose and are feeling each other we are having a lot of fun.”

Indiana Fever Postgame Quotes

1. Las Vegas, August 11, 2018

Indiana Fever Head Coach Pokey Chatman 

On the game

It’s the second night that we’ve gotten off to a slow start. We gave up 11 points in three minutes in the first quarter. When you do that a team starts to get comfortable and people that have not been as relevant in the past start to become extremely relevant. Hats off to Kelsey Plum. She averages 8 points but dropped 20 tonight. We gave them comfort early on and it was hard to dig ourselves out of that. Another pivotal moment was right before the half. We should have come in here down seven points. We made some crucial mistakes, the shots didn’t fall and the deficit ended up being 11.

On the Aces defense

Always credit the opposition. But I’ll take 90 percent of the shots that we had and we have to knock them down. We just needed a steady diet of attacking and maybe getting a little closer to the basket when the 18-footer isn’t going and try to get some free throws. For the most part, I was pleased with our looks but at the end of the day you just have to knock them down.

On Kelsey Plum’s performance

Kelsey can space the floor, she’s known for her scoring. It’s a credit to the work that she’s been doing in the off-season. She struggled her first year but she decided to work her butt off and not only is she shooting the ball well but she’s making good reads and passes. She gives them more pace, spacing and a third scorer.

On finishing off the season strong

The message is the next game is the most important game. Even though we did not make the playoffs we still have some goals and there are some specific goals that we want to attain. Finishing this thing out is not going to be easy. We have a couple of days off before we play Washington but we’re going to go to work, rest tomorrow and get the video out and prepare for Washington.

Starting Guard Erica Wheeler

On the loss

I think we came out flat from the beginning and they out-rebounded us and that was it.

On being their team’s high scorer with 13

At first I was hesitant, but my teammates just told me to shoot the ball so I started to shoot the ball and so it going in so I just kept shooting.

On defending A’ja Wilson

She’s tough.  She’s a post player but she moves like a guard so she’s pretty tough and she’s skilled.  All credit to her, she’s pretty skilled and she can score so it’s all about being able to contain her and I think we did it somewhat better than last time.

Indiana guard Tiffany Mitchell

On tonight’s game plan

We knew we had to have a good start and keep them contained with A’ja and Kayla and go from there.

On going 3-3 from the three 

I just had space and an opportunity to get my shot off and I felt comfortable taking it.  I wasn’t rushed this game so I felt comfortable taking the shot.

On her bench production 

Our starters are going to give us a good start and then it’s our job to come in and never let up so I think me and Kelsey provide that spark.