Kelsey Plum and Riquna Williams combined for 51 points on Tuesday night as the Las Vegas Aces powered past the Phoenix Mercury 96-90 in Game 1 of the semifinals.
Plum contributed 25 points herself, becoming just the second player in WNBA playoffs history to score 25 or more points off the bench. The only other player to do so was Plenette Pierson in Game 1 of the 2007 Finals, when she had 26 points off the bench for the Detroit Shock against the Mercury.
Williams led the Aces on Tuesday night with 26 points, as one of four Las Vegas players to score in double figures. Chelsea Gray finished with 17 points and 12 assists while A’ja Wilson recorded 15 points and nine rebounds.
@cgray209 is next level oh myyyyyyy….#pointgawddddd— Kelsey Plum (@Kelseyplum10) September 29, 2021
@cgray209 is next level oh myyyyyyy….#pointgawddddd
The Aces’ depth was a major factor in the win, as the bench finished with 34 points led by Plum.
On the other side, all five Mercury starters finished in double figures, led by Brittney Griner’s 24 points. Phoenix’s bench, however, scored just 11 points.
The Aces and the Mercury are back in action for Game 2 on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2.