Last Week in Las Vegas Sports (Aug 14 - 20)
The Las Vegas Aces take a major step backward, trade rumors circulate around Joshua Jacobs, and Mark Stone reveals something big about the Stanley Cup Finals. Let's break down last week in Las Vegas sports (Aug 14 - 20).
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Source. Facebook[/caption]
The Las Vegas Aces lost some of that championship luster last week after going 1-2 in a three-game stretch for the first time in 2023. The streak started with an 82-63 loss to the New York Liberty in the Commissioner's Cup and continued with a 78-72 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks a few days later.
The Aces rebounded with a 88-75 victory over the Liberty in what had to feel like revenge. Despite this W, however, the Aces look very vulnerable. Without Candace Parker, more work is seemingly getting put on A'ja Wilson, and she doesn't have the support she needs.
While the Aces are not looking very strong during this particular stretch, they still hold a ten-game lead over Dallas. The defending champions also clinched a playoff spot six weeks early, giving them a trial-and-error period. Their next game is Tuesday, August 22nd, against the Atlanta Dream at College Park. That's going to be a crucial test for this team and their effort to get back on track.
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Source. ouTube[/caption]
Mark Stone is a phenomenal man and one of the key pillars of the Las Vegas Golden Knights. In fact, his 17 goals and 21 assists, including a hat trick in game five of the Finals, are some of the biggest highlights of the title run. Stone recently revealed something interesting about those games, though.
As the Golden Knights Captain explained during an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, he actually fractured his wrist at some point in the series against the Panthers. He doctored himself up shortly after the injury occurred and fought on to great success. Stone even managed a hat trick in game five while suffering from this injury.
Related: 5 bold Las Vegas sports predictions for the rest of the year
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Source. Facebook[/caption]
Kyle Busch has won three races in 2023 and earned a guaranteed spot in the playoffs as a result. The Las Vegas native has since gone from 3rd to 11th in points and is not in contention for the regular season title. Busch also has no momentum to speak of and is limping into the playoffs.
"The mindset is to stop the bleeding," Busch said last week when asked about their bad luck. "We've got to figure out a way of being able to bounce back in races, which we were. e had some good luck on our side, some good fortune. Maybe we used it all up. But the fact of the matter is when things kind of go awry, it just seems to snowball from there, and we're not able to stop the bleeding"
Looking at Busch's performances in the last five races, he has zero wins, one top-five, one top-ten, and three finishes of 30th or worse. Busch also has two DNFs in that period. That's not a promising record and a key reason why he is going to be labeled a dark hork.
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Source. ouTube[/caption]
Joshua Jacobs is no closer to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and there are only a few weeks to go in the preseason. The Raiders want Jacobs to sign a $10.1 million, 1-year franchise deal, but he wants something long-term.
Jacobs has the option to hold out until after week one, and many think that's what will happen. Others are starting to speculate on a possible trade scenario, and some teams are interested. In fact, according to one rumor, the Broncos and the Chiefs might have their eyes on him.
It is also being reported that the Raiders are looking to reopen talks with Jacobs in hopes of signing him. If they fail, however, they risk losing one of their best players.
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Source. acebook[/caption]
The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Rams 34-17 on Saturday in their second straight win this preseason. The effort was led by a combination of Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O'Connell, and Brian Hoyer, who all had their moments. O'Connell, in particular, completed 11 of 18 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Jimmy Garoppolo went 4 of 4 for 39 yards on Saturday night in his first preseason snaps after his foot injury. The running game punched one in thanks to a nine-yard run by Brandon Bolden, but he doesn't seem to be on the same level as Joshua Jacobs. Zamir White took a majority of touches and managed ten carries for 40 yards.
The Raiders led 20-10 at halftime in what had to feel like a win for the defense heading into the second half. The defense managed one sack against the Rams and even an interception to keep their turnover streak going. The cherry on top of the game has to be the fact that the Raiders held the Rams to only seven points in the second half.
Next: Best spots in Las Vegas for burger lovers!
#5 Las Vegas Aces go 1-2 for the first time in 2023
[caption id="attachment_36579" align="alignnone" width="819"]
Source. Facebook[/caption]The Las Vegas Aces lost some of that championship luster last week after going 1-2 in a three-game stretch for the first time in 2023. The streak started with an 82-63 loss to the New York Liberty in the Commissioner's Cup and continued with a 78-72 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks a few days later.
The Aces rebounded with a 88-75 victory over the Liberty in what had to feel like revenge. Despite this W, however, the Aces look very vulnerable. Without Candace Parker, more work is seemingly getting put on A'ja Wilson, and she doesn't have the support she needs.
While the Aces are not looking very strong during this particular stretch, they still hold a ten-game lead over Dallas. The defending champions also clinched a playoff spot six weeks early, giving them a trial-and-error period. Their next game is Tuesday, August 22nd, against the Atlanta Dream at College Park. That's going to be a crucial test for this team and their effort to get back on track.
#4 Mark Stone reveals he played injured during Stanley Cup Finals
[caption id="attachment_36578" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. ouTube[/caption]Mark Stone is a phenomenal man and one of the key pillars of the Las Vegas Golden Knights. In fact, his 17 goals and 21 assists, including a hat trick in game five of the Finals, are some of the biggest highlights of the title run. Stone recently revealed something interesting about those games, though.
As the Golden Knights Captain explained during an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, he actually fractured his wrist at some point in the series against the Panthers. He doctored himself up shortly after the injury occurred and fought on to great success. Stone even managed a hat trick in game five while suffering from this injury.
Related: 5 bold Las Vegas sports predictions for the rest of the year
#3 Kyle Busch wants to stop the bleeding heading into the playoffs
[caption id="attachment_36577" align="alignnone" width="823"]
Source. Facebook[/caption]Kyle Busch has won three races in 2023 and earned a guaranteed spot in the playoffs as a result. The Las Vegas native has since gone from 3rd to 11th in points and is not in contention for the regular season title. Busch also has no momentum to speak of and is limping into the playoffs.
"The mindset is to stop the bleeding," Busch said last week when asked about their bad luck. "We've got to figure out a way of being able to bounce back in races, which we were. e had some good luck on our side, some good fortune. Maybe we used it all up. But the fact of the matter is when things kind of go awry, it just seems to snowball from there, and we're not able to stop the bleeding"
Looking at Busch's performances in the last five races, he has zero wins, one top-five, one top-ten, and three finishes of 30th or worse. Busch also has two DNFs in that period. That's not a promising record and a key reason why he is going to be labeled a dark hork.
#2 NFL teams interested in trading for Joshua Jacobs
[caption id="attachment_36576" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
Source. ouTube[/caption]Joshua Jacobs is no closer to a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, and there are only a few weeks to go in the preseason. The Raiders want Jacobs to sign a $10.1 million, 1-year franchise deal, but he wants something long-term.
Jacobs has the option to hold out until after week one, and many think that's what will happen. Others are starting to speculate on a possible trade scenario, and some teams are interested. In fact, according to one rumor, the Broncos and the Chiefs might have their eyes on him.
It is also being reported that the Raiders are looking to reopen talks with Jacobs in hopes of signing him. If they fail, however, they risk losing one of their best players.
#1 Las Vegas Raiders go 2-0 after a blowout against the Los Angeles Rams
[caption id="attachment_36575" align="alignnone" width="819"]
Source. acebook[/caption]The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Rams 34-17 on Saturday in their second straight win this preseason. The effort was led by a combination of Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O'Connell, and Brian Hoyer, who all had their moments. O'Connell, in particular, completed 11 of 18 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Jimmy Garoppolo went 4 of 4 for 39 yards on Saturday night in his first preseason snaps after his foot injury. The running game punched one in thanks to a nine-yard run by Brandon Bolden, but he doesn't seem to be on the same level as Joshua Jacobs. Zamir White took a majority of touches and managed ten carries for 40 yards.
The Raiders led 20-10 at halftime in what had to feel like a win for the defense heading into the second half. The defense managed one sack against the Rams and even an interception to keep their turnover streak going. The cherry on top of the game has to be the fact that the Raiders held the Rams to only seven points in the second half.
Next: Best spots in Las Vegas for burger lovers!