FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sky - Game 9 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sky – Game 9 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Aces (8-1) | Chicago Sky (5-5)

 

The Las Vegas Aces bounced back after losing for the first time this season, cruising to victory over the Chicago Sky, 93-80.

The Aces vs Sky played at the Michelob ULTRA Arena on Sunday.

A’ja Wilson had 21 points (8-of-15 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs) and ten rebounds, her sixth double-double of the season. Chelsea Gray added 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-for-3 from a distance as the Las Vegas Aces easily defeated the Chicago Sky.

Wilson’s double-double was also the 59th of her career, tied for 19th on the all-time WNBA career double-doubles.

All of the Aces’ starters hit double figures for the first time since opening night. Kelsey Plum added 16 points (7-of-13 FGs, 1-for-4 3s) and two steals. Jackie Young put up 14 points (4-of-9 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs).

The 2016 Finals MVP, Candace Parker, who helped the Sky win the 2021 WNBA title and signed a free-agent contract with the Aces in February, had 10 points (5-of-6 FGs), six rebounds, seven assists, and five steals.

The Aces handled business against the Sky

Las Vegas scored at least 90 points in seven of their first nine games this season.

The start of the Aces vs Sky first half. 

Las Vegas averages a league-leading 91.3 points per game, five more than the Dallas Wings, the second-highest-scoring team in the WNBA.

Marina Mabrey led Chicago with 20 points (6-of-14 FGs, 3-for-5 3s, 5-of-6 FTs). Kahleah Copper had 18 points (7-of-15 FGs, 1-for-4 3s) and six rebounds. Dana Evans added 10 points (5-of-11 FGs, 0-for-2 3s) and eight assists off the bench. 

Evans, a second-round draft pick in 2021, has six of her 11 career double-digit scoring games this season.

Gray hit a pull-up 3-pointer that capped a 9-2 opening run, and the Aces never looked back.

Las Vegas never trailed in this one. Holding a 15-13 lead, the Aces closed out the first quarter on an 11-2 run for a 24-15 lead at the end of the quarter. All five Aces scored in the period, led by seven points from Plum. The Aces outscored the Sky 9-0 in transition and 14-6 points in the paint. In addition, Las Vegas scored seven points off three turnovers from the Sky.

With 5:34 to play before halftime, Chicago scored a layup to slice the lead to 35-29. However, that’s as close as they would come for the rest of the game. Young sparked a 15-5 spurt that put the Aces up 50-34. Wilson made back-to-back baskets that gave Las Vegas a 19-point lead.

The end of the Aces vs Sky first half. 

Las Vegas never let up, as by halftime, the edge was up to 56-39.

The start of the Aces vs Sky second half. 

In the second quarter alone, the Aces shot 86.7 percent (13-of-15 FGs) from the field and were paced by Wilson’s eight points (3-of-3 FGs).

The 86.7 percent field goal shooting in the second quarter set the Aces’ new franchise high for a quarter. Their previous high was 81.8 percent on June 9th, 2012.

Alysha Clark hit a jumper with about six minutes left to play that capped a 10-0 run and gave the Aces their largest lead of the game, 91-62. However, Las Vegas let their foot off the gas and got outscored 18-2 to finish out the contest.

At that point, the Aces could afford to ease up in the fourth quarter as they cruised in for the 93-80 victory.

The Aces entered the game shooting a league-high 48.3 percent from the field and made a sizzling 58.5 percent (38-of-65 FGs) against the Sky, which was the best shooting percentage of any team this season. 

It also marked the second-best shooting percentage for the Aces since the franchise moved to Las Vegas (59.72 percent vs. the Atlanta Dream on July 4th, 2021).

Riquna Williams did not dress for the Aces for the ninth consecutive game due to a lower back injury.

The final score of the Aces vs Sky was 93-80, Aces.

The Aces will now take on the Seattle Storm on Thursday, June 15th, at 7:00 PST.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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