Mavericks Silence the Aces in Vegas, 99-93, Behind Blackwood's Clutch Fourth Quarter
Blackwood's Scoring Spree Seals Vegas Upset; Mavericks Dominate Late
LAS VEGAS – The Miami Mavericks staged a stunning fourth-quarter comeback on the Las Vegas Aces’ home court, clinching a hard-fought 99-93 victory that will reverberate through the Pro League standings. After a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple lead changes, it was an explosive offensive surge from Miami, spearheaded by Kai Blackwood, that ultimately silenced the roaring crowd at the Synergy Center.
The Aces held a slim lead for much of the first half, with Elias Bergstrom anchoring the paint and Elara Brooks providing crucial scoring punch. However, the Mavericks found their rhythm in the second half, led by the masterful ball-handling of Astrid Karlsson and the sharp shooting of Kai Blackwood. The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when Blackwood erupted for 10 consecutive points, igniting a 15-4 run that propelled the Mavericks into the lead.
Blackwood finished with a game-high 22 points and added 3 assists and 3 rebounds. “We knew we had to keep our composure,” Blackwood said post-game. “Vegas is tough at home, but we stuck to our game plan and executed when it mattered most.”
The Aces fought valiantly, with Bergstrom grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds and Brooks adding 13 points, but their offensive efficiency faltered down the stretch. Despite a strong rebounding effort, Las Vegas struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 31 percent.
Miami’s cohesive team play was evident with 27 assists on 38 made field goals, a stark contrast to the Aces’ 18 assists. “This was a huge road win for us,” stated Mavericks coach, Isabella Kim. “Our team defense tightened up, and we trusted each other on offense. Kai was simply sensational.”
Key Notes:
- Kai Blackwood led all scorers with 22 points for the Mavericks.
- Elias Bergstrom dominated the boards for the Aces with 12 rebounds.
- The Mavericks dished out 27 assists to the Aces’ 18.
- Miami shot 45.2% from the field, outscoring the Aces’ 38.7% efficiency.
- The Mavericks made 11 of 17 free throws, while the Aces were a perfect 8 of 9.