Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) catches the ball after blocking a pass from Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams (1) during the first half at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (28-14) continued their wild run winning their 14th straight game beating the Chicago Sky (10-32) 80-66 securing a berth in the playoffs Sunday. They have come miles when you look back to the start they had in the 2025 season. It has been a beautiful thing with every player on this team a huge part of their playoff push. A’Ja Wilson finished the game with 31 points in her incredible run.

Game recap: The opening quarter was all Las Vegas. The Aces took an 11-0 lead before the Sky even got up on the scoreboard. After the first ten minutes of play the Aces had taken a 24-15 lead. A’Ja Wilson scored eight points in the first quarter and she was just getting started..

The second quarter was a lot closer than the opener although the Aces did outscore Chicago 19-15. At the half Las Vegas had taken a 43-30 lead. Wilson continued to hit shot after shot and going into the third quarter had 15 points and after three quarters had scored 27 points. Jackie Young was having a solid game with 17 points and the scrappy Chelsea Gray shot for 13 points.

This game went into the fourth quarter and it was clear that the Sky were being outplayed by the Las Vegas Aces. Both teams had shot 85% from the line. The Sky had out-rebounded the Aces significantly 37 to 25; they just were unable to hit shots taken.

The turnovers mid-way through the fourth quarter were horrendous for Chicago with 19 to the Aces eight. Fast break points were clearly in favor of the Aces with 24 points to the Sky’s five. The Sky conceded 22 points off turnovers while the Aces conceded only ten points.

The largest lead of the game for the Aces was 25 points. A’Ja Wilson so far has had five games with 30 or more points. She was on a roll as were her teammates and she raises the bar with every game.

With three minutes left in the game the Aces had kept up a double digit lead in the second half. As this season has worn on head coach Becky Hammon has been able to lean on the bench with Jewel Loyd and Dana Evans having great success.

The run they are currently having right now is a total team effort with everyone contributing. The final was 80-66 and Las Vegas had won their 14th game in a row. They have now won 16 of their last 17 games.

The Sky played well enough with every starter scoring double digits. Rachel Banham and Michaela Onyenwere each scoring 12 points. The remainder of the starters each had 10 points. They just could not handle the experienced Las Vegas squad.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon WNBA fans got another chance to watch the Aces reach their 14th straight win beating the Chicago Sky. Their streak has been amazing after a slow start on the season but now playing like gangbusters beating the very best in the league.

They have been consistent and focused taking each game one at a time playing the best brand of basketball that they can. Everyone of these ladies have been playing lights out and as a unit show no signs of letting down.

Sunday night they faced a Chicago team that played the first half without their ace Angel Reese. She had been suspended for making critical comments about not only her teammates but also the organization more than likely spurred by the horrible season the team is having.

She now has to deal with the repercussions of her comments sitting out the first half of Sunday night’s game but also facing a team meeting in regards to her actions. Reese told the media regarding her teammates,  “settling for the same sh-t we did this year.” “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.

Unfortunately it may be some time before her comments fade and both Reese and the team can move on. She was eligible to play the second half but a coach’s decision had her sit the second half out.

The Las Vegas Aces have now secured a nice spot in the playoffs with two more games left in the season. Las Vegas will face the Sky one more time next Tuesday, this game also being played at T-Mobile Arena. The Aces will finish off the season down in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena. Tuesday’s game with the Sky will tip-off at 7:00 PM as Las Vegas will be in search of number 15.