Enjoying their longest winning streak in nearly eight years, the Las Vegas Aces look to make it seven straight victories Saturday when they face the reeling defending WNBA champion Washington Mystics.

The Aces (7-2), along with the Seattle Storm, appear to have created some separation from the rest of the league as it nears the halfway point in the "wubble." While Las Vegas is playing without center Liz Cambage, the offseason signing of Angel McCoughtry has proven to be a masterstroke.

The five-time All-Star has found a comfort zone playing in support of fellow forward A'ja Wilson, averaging 15.9 points while shooting 50 percent from 3-point range and 57.1 percent overall. McCoughtry has recorded back-to-back 20-point games and totaled 21 in Thursday's 87-77 win over Minnesota that gave the Aces sole possession of second place in the league.

Wilson had 23 points while Jackie Young continued her strong offensive surge off the bench with 16 - the fourth straight game she has scored at least 15 after totaling 27 points in her first five games of the season. Along with reigning Sixth Woman of the Year Dearica Hamby, Young's emergence gives Las Vegas two scoring options off the bench.

"She's showing why she was a No. 1 pick. She does everything for us, and she makes sure she can attack," Wilson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "That's a person getting into her groove, and I'm so proud of Jackie. This is night and day from last year to this year."

Las Vegas has not won seven in a row since a 12-game run from June 24-Aug. 21, 2012 while the franchise was in San Antonio.

Washington (3-6) is at the other end of the spectrum, trying to avoid its first seven-game skid since July 1-22, 2016. It was known the Mystics would be a different team once Elena Delle Donne was ruled out for the season as she rehabs from a back injury, but the absences of veteran Tina Charles and Natasha Cloud in the "wubble," has proven more challenging than expected.

Emma Meesseman has been trying to shoulder the load, but the supporting cast has been inconsistent beyond Ariel Atkins, who had 20 points in Thursday's 81-64 loss to Los Angeles. Meesseman finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists for Washington, which never recovered from a 10-0 first-quarter spurt by the Sparks.

Atkins gamely tried to keep the Mystics in contention, scoring 16 first-half points and hitting as many field goals in eight attempts - seven - as her teammates did in 27.

"We've had some pretty good looks in our games," coach Mike Thibault told The Washington Post. "Got to make open shots. Can't miss layups. But we need to keep working on reversing the ball, moving the ball quickly. Your best players have to make shots."

Aerial Powers will miss this game due to a hamstring injury, leaving the Mystics with nine players available.

Las Vegas is seeking a sweep of the season series after winning 83-77 on Aug. 5. Wilson and Danielle Robinson paced the Aces with 20 points apiece, while Meesseman had 24 and 13 rebounds. Las Vegas' reserves made the difference, outscoring their Washington counterparts 34-9.