Friday night’s late window features a compelling WNBA clash in Las Vegas as the Washington Mystics travel west to face the Las Vegas Aces. Tip-off is set for 10:00 PM ET at Michelob ULTRA Arena, and early betting lines make the hosts double-digit favorites. Washington enters this Mystics vs Aces matchup at 2-1 after a narrow two-point setback in San Francisco, while the Aces stand 1-1 and will play for the first time this season in front of their home crowd. The large spread, high total, and contrast in playing styles give bettors plenty to dissect.
Mystics vs Aces Preview
Washington’s promising opening week has been powered by guard Brittney Sykes, whose 26.3 points and 5.0 assists per game have pushed the Mystics into the league’s top tier for scoring. Rookie forward Kiki Iriafen has been the surprise sidekick, averaging a double-double at 13.7 points and 10.0 boards while shooting better than 50 percent from the field. The Mystics’ youthful energy showed even in defeat on Wednesday, when they fell 76-74 to the expansion Golden State Valkyries despite another huge performance from Sykes.
Las Vegas, meanwhile, opened the season with a 92-78 road loss to New York before righting the ship at Connecticut, 87-62. Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson is again setting the statistical standard, averaging 26.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 3.5 dimes per night. Yet the Aces’ offensive burden has fallen heavily on her shoulders while the bench looks thin, and forward Cheyenne Parker-Tyus rehabs a foot injury. Coach Becky Hammon’s core of Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and newcomer Jewell Loyd still owns the league’s highest ceiling, but questions about secondary production linger. Friday marks the Aces’ first game on their own floor, where they were so dominant last year, so crowd energy could paper over depth issues for at least one evening.
Betting Insights
- Point Spread: Aces -14 (-110) / Mystics +14 (-110)
- Moneyline: Aces -1000 / Mystics +650
- Total Points: 166.5 (-110 on either side)
- Current Records: Mystics 2-1 SU, Aces 1-1 SU
- Recent Results: Mystics lost 74-76 at Golden State on May 21; Aces routed Connecticut 87-62 on May 20 after falling 78-92 at New York on May 17
The total has been eclipsed in two of Washington’s first three contests, and they are averaging 86.0 points while allowing 83.7. Washington is 2-1 against the number so far; Las Vegas has yet to cover a double-digit line in 2025, as this is their first time as double-digit favorites.
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Mystics vs Aces Prediction
Las Vegas remains the WNBA’s premier home-court juggernaut and features the most dominant interior scorer in Wilson. Expect Hammon to funnel early touches inside, forcing the Mystics’ front line to collapse and opening kick-out looks for Young and Loyd. Still, Washington’s quick-hitting offense can keep the contest competitive. Sykes excels at beating single coverage off the bounce, and Iriafen’s relentless work on the glass should manufacture second-chance points against an Aces unit that sometimes sacrifices rebounding for spacing.
The line of 12.5 points feels inflated given Washington’s scoring punch and Las Vegas’ early depth concerns. The Mystics have enough perimeter firepower to hang around and often push tempo, crucial against a roster accustomed to dictating pace rather than chasing it. While Wilson’s brilliance should carry Las Vegas to a 2-1 record, the margin projects closer to single digits than the books suggest.
Best Bet: Mystics +14
Projected Score: Aces 88, Mystics 79
