Phantoms Edge Aces 114-109 on Chen's Crucial Block
Phantoms Outlast Aces in Scoring Duel, Chen's Late Block Seals Victory
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phantoms secured a hard-fought 114-109 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night, a game that saw momentum swing wildly before a pivotal defensive play by Felix Chen in the closing moments. This crucial win solidifies the Phantoms’ position in the February 2026 standings.
The contest was a high-octane affair from the tip-off. The Aces, led by a scorching Finnian Harper, came out firing, with Harper pouring in 23 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. Las Vegas built an early lead, capitalizing on aggressive defense that forced 12 Phantoms turnovers. However, Philadelphia, spurred on by a raucous home crowd, chipped away at the deficit.
Zara Sanchez provided a significant spark for the Phantoms, scoring 20 points and adding 6 rebounds. The game remained a back-and-forth affair deep into the fourth quarter. With the score tied and under a minute to play, Felix Chen, who finished with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds, rejected a driving Ethan Hughes attempt, preserving the tie and igniting a crucial fast break. Maya Singh then converted a contested layup, giving the Phantoms a lead they would not relinquish.
“That block was everything,” said Phantoms Head Coach Evelyn Reed after the game. “Felix just read the play perfectly. It gave us the energy we needed to close it out.”
Singh, who added 21 points and 5 assists, echoed the sentiment. “We knew it was going to be a tough one. Las Vegas came out aggressive, but we stuck together and made the plays when it mattered most.”
Key Notes:
- The Philadelphia Phantoms shot an impressive 46.7% from three-point range (21/45).
- Felix Chen recorded a game-high 13 rebounds.
- Finnian Harper led all scorers with 23 points for the Aces.
- Elara Brooks contributed 5 steals for Las Vegas.
- The Phantoms outrebounded the Aces 52-46.