After the fall-from-ahead defeat in Dallas on Thursday, Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon aired her grievances about the game’s officiating.Hammon was answering a question about the Aces’ defense, or lack thereof, in the second half when Las Vegas conceded 50 points to the Wings before she pivoted to the paucity of free-throw attempts for her team.“A’ja Wilson shoots one free throw, Chennedy Carter zero, Jackie Young zero. I’m f—ing tired of that bull—t. I’m not saying (the Dallas Wings) didn’t earn their 22 down there, but when Awak Kuier shoots more free throws than A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young and Chennedy Carter, all combined, that’s a problem,” Hammon said.
“And give me my fine,” Hammon added as she got up and left.The Aces lost 95-87, marking their second straight defeat — something they haven’t done since mid-July of last season en route to a championship.Against the Wings, 15 of Wilson’s 24 shots came in the paint. Young also took 10 field goals in the paint without earning a free throw.The Aces entered Thursday’s game averaging 18.3 free-throw attempts per game, tied for the lowest in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx. The Wings were 13th out of 15 teams with 19.1 free throws per game. Las Vegas ended Thursday’s game with 12 attempts compared to 22 for Dallas.The Wings have been successful at keeping opponents off the line, conceding 18.1 free throws per game, good for second in the league. The Aces allowed 20.3 attempts per game entering their matchup with Dallas.In seven games this season, Las Vegas has surrendered at least 94 points four times.“That’s what happens when you don’t play defense,” Hammon said. “Any time we give up 95 to 100, my team is probably going to lose. Until we figure that out, we’ll continue to lose until we want to play defense.”
