Aces Secure Playoff Position
The Las Vegas Aces clinched the No. 3 seed in the WNBA playoffs following a 100-82 victory over the Phoenix Mercury in the final regular season game. The win capped a 31-13 season for the Aces, who will open their postseason run against the Indiana Fever in a best-of-three series.
A’ja Wilson led the Aces in the final regular season contest, recording 34 points and 10 rebounds. The team’s performance secured their position in the bracket, setting up a matchup with the Fever, who finished the season on an 86-66 loss to the Minnesota Lynx to settle into the No. 6 seed.
Other playoff positions were also determined on final night. The Golden State Valkyries captured the No. 2 seed with a 76-75 comeback win over the Los Angeles Sparks. The Washington Mystics moved to the No. 5 seed after defeating the Chicago Sky 101-93.
Injuries and Betting Lines Shape Series
The upcoming series between the Aces and the Fever will be impacted by significant injury reports on both sides. The Aces will be without guard Dana Evans due to a knee injury and forward NaLyssa Smith, who is out with a leg injury.
The Indiana Fever also face key absences. Center Aliyah Boston is out with a lower leg injury, and guard Tyasha Harris is sidelined with a leg injury. These absences are expected to influence the dynamics of the first-round contest, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. EST at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
Betting markets reflect the Aces’ status as the higher seed. DraftKings lists the Aces as -155 moneyline favorites for Game 1, with a point spread of 3.5 points. The Fever are listed at +130 for the moneyline.
Raiders and Golden Knights Prep for Opener
In other Las Vegas sports news, the Las Vegas Raiders have their sights set on their matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Tight end Brock Bowers, who has been out since knee surgery on Sept. 8, is a possibility to return for the game on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4:25 p.m. EST at the Caesars Superdome.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak stated he is optimistic about Bowers’ availability but noted the team will not work the tight end out pregame, a departure from the previous week’s protocol against the L.A. Chargers. The Raiders, currently 2-0, will face a Saints team that is 1-1. The Saints are listed as 3-point favorites in the point spread.
The Vegas Golden Knights have completed their preseason schedule with a 5-4 overtime victory over the Utah Mammoth. Goals for the Knights were scored by Jeremy Lauzon, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, and Jack Eichel. The team finishes its preseason on Sept. 26 against the San Jose Sharks before opening the regular season at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at T-Mobile Arena.
Why It Matters
The finalized WNBA bracket determines the immediate competitive path for the Las Vegas Aces, while the Raiders' injury status directly impacts their upcoming NFL schedule. For operators, the release of specific moneyline and spread data for the Aces-Fever series and the Raiders-Saints game provides the necessary baseline for market analysis. These developments define the primary sports betting events for the Las Vegas market this weekend.
David Farbacu is a seasoned writer with a passion for games, gaming, casinos, and Xbox. With a wealth of experience in the industry, David brings insightful reviews, comprehensive guides, and engaging articles that cater to both casual gamers and hardcore enthusiasts. His expertise spans across various gaming platforms and genres, making him a go-to source for the latest trends and developments in the gaming world.
