UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- Moriah Jefferson admits that it's going to take more time to get back to being the player she can be. But the Las Vegas Aces' point guard knows time is running out on her team's chase for a spot in the WNBA playoffs.

"It's just about getting back in a rhythm, getting back to where I was before and trying to get better," Jefferson said Sunday prior to the start of the Aces' game with the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena. "I would say that I'm pretty close. We have a few games left and I'm going to do my best to keep progressing each game."

Las Vegas' playoff hopes took a hit Sunday with its 109-88 loss to Connecticut. The Aces (12-15) are 1 1/2 games behind the Dallas Wings (14-14) for the eighth and final playoff spot. Dallas owns the tiebreaker against Las Vegas.

The Aces are also awaiting a decision from the WNBA office whether their game last Friday with the Washington Mystics will be rescheduled or declared a forfeit. Travel problems kept the team from arriving in Washington until about five hours before the scheduled tipoff and the players decided not to play citing health issues.

Las Vegas had won six of eight games to get into contention but has dropped back-to-back games. It wraps up its road trip at Atlanta on Tuesday.

"We finally have been together for awhile and you can see it on the court," Jefferson said.

The Aces' surge coincided with Jefferson's return to action.

The 5-foot-6 native of Glenn Heights, Texas, missed her team's final five games and nine of the last 11 a year ago because of soreness in the right knee. She had microfracture surgery in late September in San Antonio and missed the first 17 games this season. In 10 games this summer, the 2016 first-round draft pick (second overall) is averaging 4.6 points and 2.4 assists with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.0 in 15.1 minutes per game. She had six points in 18 minutes against the Sun.

"The knee feels great and I'm happy to be back on the court," Jefferson said. "It's been a long process, but I feel good.

"Rehab was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I've never been injured before and a nine-month rehab is a long time. But we've got a great trainer here and she's worked with me on different things, not just my knee, to help me be better."

In four years at the University of Connecticut -- where she was a four-time national champion and two-time All-American and Nancy Lieberman Award winner under coach Geno Auriemma -- she missed one game.

She's said her comeback from surgery has been difficult both mentally and physically.

"The good thing about going to UConn and playing under Geno is that he taught me a lot about mental toughness, keeping your confidence no matter what," Jefferson said. "That's helped me with my experiences here. Physically, when you haven't played a game for nine months or even longer it's going to be tough coming back. But my teammates are helping me keep that confidence up and I'm excited to be back out there."

The surgery last September also cost her the season overseas. Jefferson will return to Turkey this fall at a time to be determined.

"We're fighting for the playoffs right now so we'll see what happens," Jefferson said. "After that, we'll figure out a date."

USA U-18s advance

One goal down, gold to go for the United States U-18 national team.

UConn freshman forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa had 14 points and eight rebounds Sunday as Team USA moved into the semfinals of the FIBA U-18 Americas Championships with an 87-27 rout of El Salvador on Sunday.

The win clinches a spot in the 2019 FIBA U-19 World Cup for the Americans. The four semifinalists in Mexico City are assured berths. Team USA (4-0) will face either Colombia or Puerto Rico on Monday for a spot in the gold-medal game.

Nelson-Ododa was 5-for-7 from the floor and 4-for-6 from the foul line in 20 minutes. She also added two blocked shots and two steals. UConn freshman guard Christyn Williams, who missed Friday's final pool-play game due to illness, did not score in 14 minutes Sunday but had three rebounds and three assists.

Team USA jumped out to a 17-2 lead with seven players hitting the scoring column. It was 51-19 at halftime and 68-21 going to the fourth quarter.

Michigan freshman Nazahrah Hillmon-Baker chipped in 13 points for the Americans. Iowa State freshman Ashley Joens scored 12 points.

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