LAS VEGAS -- Jackie Young had a season-high 32 points and five 3-pointers, A'ja Wilson added 15 points and the Las Vegas Aces secured a playoff spot with an 83-76 victory over the Washington Mystics on Thursday night.
The Aces (24-11) became the second team to clinch a postseason berth, joining the league-best Minnesota Lynx, and moved within a game of second-place Golden State (24-9)
Young scored 12 straight points in the fourth quarter, capped by a 3-pointer with 4:17 remaining, for a 74-64 lead.
Young finished 10-of-14 from the field, including 5-of-8 behind the arc, and 7-of-8 at the free throw line for her first 30-point performance of the season. Fellow guard Jewell Loyd added 13 points.
Aces coach Becky Hammon became the fifth head coach in WNBA history to make the playoffs in each of their first five seasons, according to ESPN Research. Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello holds the record with 13 straight playoff appearances to start her career.
Shakira Austin had 29 points and eight rebounds, and Sonia Citron added 17 points and eight assists for Washington (19-14), which has lost two straight after a seven-game winning streak. Kiki Iriafen, who picked up her fifth foul with 1:45 left in the third quarter, finished with just five points in 27 minutes.
The Aces began the game on a 14-2 run but missed their first eight field goal attempts of the second quarter as the Mystics got within 25-24. The Aces led 38-32 at the break.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
