A’ja Wilson’s buzzer-beating shot helped the Aces overcome the Chicago Sky. With the win, the Aces improve to 18-11, while the Sky improve to 11-18.
YEAHHHH BIG DUBBBBB‼️‼️#ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/2PBGGGKB3N
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 25, 2024
Aces Sky
The Aces got off to a slow start, going 0-7 from the field until A’ja Wilson scored their first field goal. Wilson scored 8 of the Aces 12 points in the first quarter, with Tiffany Hayes being the only other Aces player to score 4 points. After one quarter of play, the Aces trailed 17-12 and shot 5-24, with A’ja Wilson shooting 3-13.
In the second quarter, A’ja would get some help from Kelsey Plum, who went 3-4 with 6 points, and Alysha Clark, who went 2-3 with 4 points. With the Sky ahead 30-26 with two minutes left in the half, the Aces scored the last six points to end the quarter and take their first lead of the game, 32-30.
The Aces defense improved, limiting the Sky to 5-18 (27.8%) from the field and 9-19 (47.4%) in the second quarter. A’ja Wilson struggled in the first half, ending with 14 points and 10 rebounds on 6-20 (30%) shooting, with one steal and two blocks.
DP????Y said NAH@_ajawilson22 // #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/P78Q8zXhhV
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 25, 2024
Megan Gustafson provided a much-needed spark for the Aces, scoring 8 points on 3-of-3 shooting in the quarter. Gustafson hit two three-pointers to assist the Aces, who were 2-15 from three after three quarters of play.
BACK-TO-BACK triples from Megan Gustafson ????
Vegas now has their largest lead of the game on CBS pic.twitter.com/4jNlsIweML
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 25, 2024
Tiffany Hayes suffered an injury with 1:48 left in the quarter, and the Sky up 50-48. The Aces would tie the game at 52 after three quarters of play. The Aces received good news when Hayes returned to the bench and was cleared to play.
The Aces outscored the Sky 21-8 to begin the fourth quarter, building a 73-60 advantage with 4:35 left. Chicago would rally back, outscoring the Aces 15-2 and tied the game on a three-point jumper by Chennedy Carter.
CHENNEDY CARTER TIES IT ???? @chicagosky pic.twitter.com/DWSe1uX5Zs
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 25, 2024
A’ja Wilson would win the game for the Aces with an incredible inbounds play with 1.1 seconds left.
A'JA WILSON WALKS IT OFF FOR THE ACES! pic.twitter.com/6UTbMkFVkv
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 25, 2024
The Aces were led by A’ja Wilson who struggled finishing with 20 points on 8-28 (28.6%) shooting from the field but hitting the game winning shot. Wilson also had 18 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.
Kelsey Plum ended the game with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, and was crucial in the second half for the Aces. Megan Gustafson was also crucial in this game, playing excellent defense while also helping to spread the floor by hitting 3-5 from three.
Chelsea Gray had a great all around game finishing with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assist with 0 turnovers rounding out the double figure scoring.
Chennedy Carter led the Chicago Sky with 25 points, 3-4 from three, while Lindsay Allen had 16.
Michaela Onyenwere ended with 15 points, while Angel Reese had 11 points and 22 rebounds. Reese becomes the first player to record 20 or more rebounds in three consecutive games.
Angel Reese has hit 20+ rebounds in three straight games. No other player has ever achieved that in two straight.
She joins Tina Charles as the only rookies to record three games of 20+ rebounds.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) August 25, 2024
The Las Vegas Aces will travel to Dallas to play against the Wings on Tuesday. The game will tip off at 5:00 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NBA TV.
