Tag: Chicago Sky

Aces Nab Top Seed With Win Over Mercury 100-85

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Las Vegas Aces take the floor against the Phoenix Mercury at the ULTRA Michelob in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 10, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

By Barbara Mason

A’Ja Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces (34-6) to close out the season beating the Phoenix Mercury (9-31) 100-85 wrapping up the top-seed in this year’s playoffs.

Recap: The Las Vegas Aces knew going into this game that with the New York loss earlier in the day that they had the top seed going into the WNBA playoffs that get underway this Wednesday.

This was no longer a must win for the Aces but it was for sure a nice warm up going into the post-season. The Aces won the opening quarter 28-23. They extended their lead going into halftime winning the second quarter 25-18 and leading after two quarters 53-41. At the half Wilson had already scored 22 points and she was just getting started.

Las Vegas continued to grind away in the third winning the quarter 30-18 now leading 83-59. The Mercury played hard in the fourth quarter winning it 26-17. The Aces had built up a 24-point lead after three quarters and Phoenix was not able to make a dent in the final score which was 100-85.

A’Ja Wilson scored 36 points making a very real case for a repeat MVP this season. She also had 8 rebounds. Teammate Kelsey Plum also had a terrific game finishing with 30 points shooting six from beyond the arc.

Chelsea Gray had five 3s and 21 points along with eight assists. Las Vegas shot 53% hitting the century mark for the 11th time this season. This was a real momentum builder as they head into the post-season full of confidence.

The Aces will take on the Chicago Sky for game one Wed Sep 13 in the opening round of the best-of-three series of the 2023 WNBA playoffs. Tipoff for the first game of the series will be at 7:00 PM at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

Aces Survive Scare Against Sky 94-87; 30 wins by Aces most in a season in WNBA history

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The Las Vegas Aces set a WNBA record for the most wins in a season with their win over the Chicago Sky on Thu Aug 24, 2023 in Chicago (@LVAces image)

By Barbara Mason

Thursday evening the Las Vegas Aces (30-4) traveled to Chicago taking on the Sky (13-21) and hung onto for a seven point win over Chicago 94-87. As this game got underway, the first half turned out to be more of a nightmare for the Aces.

The Sky had a great game plan holding Las Vegas to 37.8% from the field while the Sky were shooting a little over 54%. Chicago was aggressive coming away with 20 rebounds to the Aces 14. The Sky won the first quarter 24-17 as well as the second 26-20.

At the half, the Sky had a 50-37 lead. We have seen the Aces overcome deficits all season but the first half saw Las Vegas missing far too many shots. They definitely had a lackluster first half. Kelsey Plum had only made a number of free throws but nothing from the field.

A’Ja Wilson had 12 points at the half with both Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young with eight points. If Las Vegas was going to win this matchup, they had to pick up their offense. The Aces have shown over and over that they are a second half team and they need to pull out all the stops in this contest. The first half was all Chicago.

The Sky did not slow down one bit in the third quarter. Las Vegas had cut the Chicago lead to single digits in the early minutes but the Sky came roaring back to take a 56-42 lead. They were relentless. Las Vegas began to turn up their physicality once again cutting the Dream lead to single digits.

Kelsey Plum turned up the heat hitting 16 points with just under five minutes left in the quarter with the Aces eyeing the lead trailing 60-57. With 2:45 left in the quarter it was a tie game 62-62. The Aces rallied in this game to take the lead 67-65 after having trailed by 16 points.

Kelsey Plum had struggled in the first half but completely turned it around in the second half finishing with 18 points as the third quarter came to an end. The Aces had a slim lead going into the fourth quarter 70-68. They had won the third quarter 33-18.

With less than six minutes left in the game, the Aces had a 81-78 lead and it became evident that this game was going down to the wire. The Aces got a slight advantage in the fourth quarter taking a 86-80 lead with under four minutes left in the game.

With all the marbles on the table this was anybody’s game. The Aces played a brilliant final minute extending their lead 90-84 with 43 ticks on the clock. They had won 30 season games which was a WNBA record.

The Aces fought hard in the second half. They had no choice in the matter; the Dream came in with incredible energy and a great plan that had the Aces stymied in the first half. Jackie Young had the team high with 24 points with Kelsey Plum right behind her with 24. Both A’Ja Wilson and Jackie Young had 10 rebounds apiece. It was an amazing comeback.

Saturday evening Las Vegas will take on the Washington Mystics. The Aces have a huge bullseye on their backs. With so many teams vying for a spot in the playoffs they have all lifted their level of play to new heights. The Mystics will be no different. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Aces Get Back On Track Taking Down the Chicago Sky 93-80

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The Las Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell (1) takes the ball down the floor against the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Jun 11, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Aces Get Back On Track Taking Down the Chicago Sky 93-80

By Barbara Mason

After a rather disappointing loss to the Connecticut Sun last Thursday in convincing style 94-77, the Las Vegas Aces (8-1) got back on track Sunday with a 13 point win over the Chicago Sky (5-5) 93-80 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

Last Thursday, the Aces were unable to contain DeWanner Bonner who had the game of her life, a career-high 41 points and there was just no stopping her. The Las Vegas starters just looked out of sync for the entire game and were never able to turn things around.

Sunday the Aces got a terrific start in the first quarter outscoring the Sky 24-15. They kept their foot on the pedal winning the second quarter 32-24 and leading at the half 56-39. They looked like a different team than Thursday; in sync and in control of the game. The Aces average 91 points per game, leading the league, and they sure looked like offensive leaders in the first half of this game.

They carried the momentum into the second half and won the third quarter 24-21. They still led 80-60 after three quarters but as the fourth quarter got underway Chicago tried to make a push. The Sky won the final quarter 20-13 but it was too little to make up the deficit they were facing.

The Aces starters all finished in double digits with A’Ja Wilson shooting for 21 points and 10 rebounds. This was her sixth double -double of the season. Kiah Stokes had a nice game off the bench with six points and five rebounds and has been contributing regularly.

The starting roster of Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Wilson were all back to the kind of basketball that we regularly see from them. They looked like repeat champions once again in this game.

Las Vegas will get some time off before taking on the Seattle Storm at home next Thursday. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM and can be seen on Prime Video.

Aces snap seven game win streak to Sun 94-77

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The Connecticut Aces Dewanna Bonner (24) takes a shot against the Las Vegas Aces at Mehegan Sun Arena in Montville CT on Thu Jun 8, 2023 (@espnW image)

Aces Drop First Game of the Season to Connecticut 94-77

By Barbara Mason

Thursday and the Las Vegas Aces (7-1) faced the Connecticut Sun (7-2) for a second game of this two game series. The Sun came out in this game the way that the Aces came out in their game Tuesday. They jumped all over Las Vegas and after the first quarter Connecticut had a 26-15 lead.

At the half the Sun extended their lead winning the second quarter 17-13. The half time score was 43-28 in favor of the Sun. Connecticut had incredible energy to start the game and they did not let down and ended the Aces seven game win streak 94-77.

Last Tuesday the Aces barely got past the Sun in a re-match of last years championship game. The Sun had an incredible second half after trailing 48-31 at halftime. The Aces had to pull out all the stops to get past Connecticut 90-84.

Thursday game wrap up: DeWanna Bonner was having an incredible game and the Aces had no answer. Bonner had 29 points going into the fourth quarter. The Sun kept their foot on the pedal leading after three quarters 64-52. The Aces were turning the ball over the likes that the Aces have not seen from this team with 18.

As the fourth quarter got underway it became obvious that there would be no stopping Bonner who finished with 41 points the 36 year-old’s career high. Las Vegas was playing from behind for the entire game. The Sun outplayed the Aces in the paint and most importantly on the defensive side of the ball. At times the Aces were struggling to keep up with the Sun who dominated.

The Sun brought the heat in this game and the Aces were lukewarm at best. This loss was their first this season; their season record is 7-1. After Connecticut’s loss last Tuesday it was a given that they would come into this game with a new resolve, and the Aces saw that from the start of the game and they never let down once.

This loss was a bit of a shocker. It was without a doubt the worst performance of the season for Las Vegas. The Aces lost in rough fashion by 17 points.

Sunday the Aces will be back on the court taking on the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Las Vegas will be looking to get back to business, back to what they do so well and that is winning. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Aces win Commissioner’s Cup, beat Sky, 93-83

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Las Vegas Aces’ Kelsey Plum (10) scores past Chicago Sky’s Azura Stevens during the first half of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup basketball game Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces won the second-ever Commissioner’s Cup with a 93-83 win over the Sky in Chicago.

Guard Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 24 points, while going 6 for 9 from three-point range.

A’ja Wilson recorded a double-double scoring 17 points and pulling down 17 rebounds, while guard Chelsea Gray added 19.

All WNBA teams played Commissioner’s Cup games throughout the season which eventually pit the top two teams from each conference with the best records from those games.

The game does not count towards the WNBA standings, but each Aces player earned a $30,000 bonus, while each Sky player earned a $10,000 bonus.

The Seattle Storm beat the Connecticut Sun last year to win the first Commissioner’s Cup.

The Aces will next head out on a five-game road trip starting on Friday in Indiana against the Fever.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 50.0% from the field and went 9 for 21 from three-point range.
Las Vegas and the Sparks each had 40 rebounds.
The Aces led the entire game.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 5 Dearica Hamby
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

None

Aces lose second straight 116-107; Las Vegas drops fifth in last seven games

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The New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu had a triple double setting a WNBA record against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas in WNBA action on Wed Jul 6, 2022 (USA Today photo)

Aces Lose Second Straight 116-107

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Las Vegas Aces (15-7) took on the New York Liberty (9-12). It has been a real roller coaster ride for the Western Conference leaders. They lead the conference by one game, the Storm on their heels. They need to get back to basics and play the kind of basketball that they are capable of as they dropped their second straight game 116-107.

The first quarter was a close one with the Liberty leading 32-30 after ten minutes. The Aces got things rolling winning the second quarter 33-23 and led at the half 63-55.

It was an amazing second half for the Liberty. They won both the third and fourth quarter. While the Liberty won the third quarter 28-21, the Aces were still in this game leading by a single point 84-83.

The fourth quarter was all New York winning it 33-23 and the game handing the Aces their second loss in a row.

The Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu came away with a triple-double. She had 31 points in the highest scoring triple-double in WNBA history. She also had 13 rebounds and ten assists in a stellar game. She hit seven of eight from downtown in a near perfect performance.

The Aces A’JA Wilson had 29 points and nine rebounds. Jackie Young `finished with 24 points. They came up just short in this game. With this loss, the Aces had lost five of their last seven games.

Las Vegas has already secured their place in the 2022 Commissioners Cup game against the Chicago Sky in late July but they missed a chance Wednesday to play in Las Vegas. So no home floor advantage.

Las Vegas falls to the Sky 104-95; Loss snaps 4 game win streak for Aces

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Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker, center, battles for the ball with Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) and guard Chelsea Gray, right, in WNBA action at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Tue Jun 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Falls to the Sky 104-95.

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (13-3) barely survived their last game Sunday against the Lynx winning by a singe point 96-95. Tuesday night they came back home at Michelob Ultra Arena taking on the Chicago Sky (11-5); this matchup a very tough one and took a tough loss 104-95 to snap a four game win streak.

The Aces had an amazing first quarter winning it 41-18. After 12 minutes it looked like they were in complete control of this game even though it was early.

The Sky came back in the second quarter winning the quarter 33-21 but still trailing at the half 62-51. Chicago had erased 11 points off the Aces lead but still had some work to do.

The Sky made a huge push in the third quarter coming out on top 30-11. Chicago had taken the lead 81-73 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Aces continued to trail the Sky in the fourth quarter. The hot start that Las Vegas had in the first quarter had vanished in the second quarter and they were struggling to keep up with Chicago through the third quarter and into the fourth. The Sky maintained a nice lead 92-82 with five minutes left in the game.

After an explosive first quarter the Aces seemed to fizzle. They took their foot off the pedal and let Chicago off the hook and back into this game. The final was 104-95. The Aces came close but it was too little too late. They did enough offensively to win this game and only had five fouls but it was just not enough defensively.

Courtney Vandersloot had the high for the Sky with 25 points. The Aces had great games from Jackie Young with 23 points and Kelsey Plum with 22.

Saturday night the Aces will take on the Mystics in yet another tough matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Las Vegas Denies Challenge By Chicago 83-76

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Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray goes up for the shot against the defending Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Sat May 28, 2022 (@WNBA photo)

Las Vegas Denies Challenge By Chicago 83-76

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Las Vegas Aces (8-1) took on the Chicago Sky (4-3) at Wintrust Arena in the Windy City.

The Sky outscored the Aces in the first quarter by the slim margin of 23-22. Las Vegas turned it on in the second quarter overpowering Chicago to the tune of 29-15. The Aces led at the half 51-38, momentum clearly on their side.

There was a real momentum change in the final minutes of the third quarter. Chicago went on a 7-0 run cutting the Las Vegas 18 point lead in half. The Aces still had a 60-51 lead but Las Vegas had to start making some baskets curbing the Chicago run.

Las Vegas would get back on track as the third quarter ran out. The Aces led 66-53. Defensively A’ja Wilson had 12 rebounds and Derica Hamby had 11. Both Wilson and Hamby shot in double digits through three quarters along with Chelsa Grey and Kelsey Plum.

The Aces had cooled off here and there in the third quarter. These momentary lapses gave Chicago some great opportunities that they were unable to capitalize on.

Chicago continued to struggle from downtown missing 18 straight attempts but they did continue to threaten the Las Vegas lead.going into the fourth quarter. Chicago really cranked it up on the defensive end coupled with taking advantage of Las Vegas turnovers.

The Aces had five fourth quarter turnovers allowing the Sky to get back in this game. Las Vegas was able to finish this game with some great aggressive offensive work 83-76. The Aces had taken down the defending champion Chicago Sky.

Las Vegas had some great offensive work in this game. A’ja Wilson finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Every starter finished the game with double digits.

Kelsy Plum had 19 points, Chelsea Gray with 18, Derica Hamby had 14 points with 14 rebounds and Jackie Young had ten points. Every one of these ladies was needed to pull this game out in a great win.

The high scorer for the Sky was Courtney Vandersloot and Kahleah Cooper both with 12 points.

Taking away the paint from Chicago and forcing those failed attempts from downtown was key for the Aces in this win. Both teams finished the game with 50 rebounds. The Sky made this game a close one but came up just short.

Tuesday night the Aces will take on the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.