The Aces finish the regular season with an undefeated streak, Robin Lehner is out for the season, and the Raiders get lousy news about Malcom Koonce. All this and more last week in Las Vegas sports (Sept 16 – 22).
#5 Raiders receive devastating news about Malcon Koonce
Malcolm Koonce is now out for the season after being placed on injury reserve. He was initially supposed to sit out four games with a knee injury but will now be undergoing season-ending surgery instead. The news comes while the Las Vegas Raiders are struggling on defense, allowing 20 or more points a game.
The teamdid manage to come up big with an interception and a sack on Lamaar Jackson last week. It’s just a matter of doing that consistently.
With Koonce gone, other players will need to step up.
#4 Las Vegas Aces ride five-game winning streak in 2024 playoffs
The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Dallas Wings 98-84 on Thursday to finish the season with a 27-13 record. Megan Gustafson stole the show with 24 points, one assist and seven rebounds in 29 minutes. Tiffany Haynes also impressed with 21 points, five assists and three rebounds in the win.
Las Vegas decided to rest many starters, including Aja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Grey.
#3 Robin Lehner deemed unfit to compete by Las Vegas Golden Knights
Las Vegas Golden Knights General Manager, Kelly McCrinnon announced that Robin Lehner will not return this season. This revelation, combined with the departure of Logan Thompson, leaves Adin Hill captaining a pretty desolate goalie platoon.
“With respect to Robin Lehner, Robin will not be reporting to the club this year. He continues to be unfit to play,” McCrimmon said. “There are unique circumstances surrounding this situation that the NHL, the NHLPA and the club are currently working through. Collectively, we are assessing our next steps and when we have more to say, we will.”
Things get even more interesting when you consider that Lehner has been on injury reserve for two seasons and is in the last year of his $22 million contract. He’s likely on his way out, and it’s just a matter of negotiating things.
The news is definitely not a good sign for the team’s playoff hopes and raises questions of team quality. Early indications from sources say that Las Vegas will go with a combo of Adin Hill and Llya Samsonov in the regular season.
#2 Las Vegas Aces weather the storm in game 1
Becky Hammon and the Las Vegas Aces are one step closer to their three-peat after conquering the Storm on Sunday. However, the win didn’t come easy after the Storm held the Aces to just nine points in the first quarter. Seattle also managed to neutralize Aja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young in the first half too.
Fast forward to the second half, and things were completely different. The Aces grabbed the lead late and never let go. In fact, they outscored the Storm 14-2 in the fourth to lock down the victory. Aja Wilson put up 21 points, two assists, and eight rebounds days after being named league MVP. This is a stark contrast from the two points, and one rebound she put up in the first quarter.
Another player who had an excellent game is Tiffany Haynes, who managed 20 points, one assist, and four rebounds. Then there was Chelsea Grey with 16 points, seven assists and two rebounds.
The Aces now move on to game two on Tuesday, where they will be looking to knock out their divisional rival. That might be an easy task after a 3-1 record in the regular season and a 1-0 showing in the playoffs. They just need to avoid the lockdown defense the Storm played in the first quarter, and this series is theirs!
#1 Las Vegas Raiders’ season in freefall after 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers
The Las Vegas Raiders are probably panicking after a 36-22 loss to the Panthers. Las Vegas is now 1-2 and it seems like the battle for the starting job has reignited. Gardner Minshew started the game and went 18 of 28 for 214 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. This forced Pierce to send out Aidan O’Connell, who completed 9 of 12 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown.
The lone highlight was probably the Raiders’ passing game. Tre Tucker caught seven balls for 96 yards and one touchdown. Jakobi Meyers also caught seven receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown Then there’s Brock Bowers, who took three receptions for 41 yards. The first score of the game went to none other than Alexander Mattison after he punched it in at the goalline.
Andy Dalton went 26 of 37 for 310 yards and three touchdowns on Saturday. Chubba Hubbard also made life hell for the Las Vegas Raiders by taking 21 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown. The defense did nothing to keep them in contention and set the stage for a blowout.
The Raiders did get a sack on Andy Dalton in the second half.
