A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces took on the Chicago Sky for the third time this season. Chicago won the second meeting, which took place right before the Olympic break. The winner of this third meeting would take the lead in the season series.
Both teams came into the game with a 1-3 record post-Olympic break, meaning a win was much needed, especially with the playoffs around the corner. For the Aces, Megan Gustafson got her first start of the season.
Chicago’s Hot Start
The Sky got off to a quick 7-2 start as the Aces missed their first seven shots. Both head coaches have emphasized that their players need to get off to better starts on both ends of the floor. Not only did Chicago get easy buckets in the paint, but they also shot 50% from three.
A’ja Wilson and Tiffany Hayes were the only players for the Aces to score in the first quarter. Wilson had the first eight, then Hayes scored the last four.
Getting the Game Going
Chicago led by as many as seven before the Aces went on an 8-2 run to begin the second quarter. The run allowed them to take their first lead of the game. The Sky answered with a 9-2 run, but the Aces went on another run to close the first half.
A’ja Wilson already had a double-double at the half, consisting of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Michaela Onyenwere had 10 points to lead the Sky, while Chennedy Carter had nine (seven in the second quarter). The Aces had 10 bench points to Chicago’s zero.
Back and Forth Action
At the 7:51 mark in the third quarter, Megan Gustafson hit the team’s first three-pointer of the game. The team was 0/10 from a distance prior. Gustafson hit another three to push the lead to six. But the Sky answered with a 12-2 run to retake the lead.
There was a scary moment midway through the quarter when Tiffany Hayes went down after Onyenwere inadvertently fell on her knee. Hayes lay on the court for a few minutes with the team surrounding her. She was eventually helped to the locker room. She was later seen walking back to the bench, available to return to the game.
Chicago led by four before the Aces scored four quick points to tie the game once again. The run would extend into the fourth quarter, with the Aces going on a 19-4 to lead by 11.
Everything was going well for the Aces on both ends of the floor. They were making their threes and getting to the rim with ease. But the game is never over until the clock says 0:00.
Wild Finish by A’ja Wilson
After being down by as many as 13, Chicago would end up tying the game thanks to a 15-2 run. Lindsay Allen scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, with seven of those points coming in the last three and a half minutes of the game.
After sitting out a good portion of the fourth quarter, Chennedy Carter checked back into the game. She hit back-to-back threes to tie the game at 75-75. For a team whose weakness is three-point shooting, they shot the ball well from a distance.
With 1.1 seconds left, the Aces had possession with a chance to win the game. The ball was given to A’ja Wilson on the inbound, and she hit the layup at the buzzer to win the game. They walked off with the win 77-75, ending their two-game skid.
A’ja Wilson finished with 20 points, 18 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Kelsey Plum finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists. Megan Gustafson finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Chelsea Gray finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Chennedy Carter led the Sky with 25 points along with five rebounds and three assists. Lindsay Allen finished with 16 points and five assists. Michaela Onyenwere finished with 15 points.
Kamila Cardoso finished with eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and a career-high five blocks. Three of those blocks were on A’ja Wilson.
Angel Reese finished with 11 rebounds, 22 rebounds, and two blocks. Her and Wilson are the first pair of players to each have 18+ rebounds in the same WNBA game.
Reese tied Tina Charles for the most double-doubles by a rookie in a single season with 22. She is also the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ rebounds in three straight games.
Photo Credit: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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