FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sky - WNBA Playoffs First Round - Game 1- 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sky – WNBA Playoffs First Round – Game 1- 2023

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Aces (34-6) | Chicago Sky (18-22)

 

The top-seeded Las Vegas Aces defeated the eighth-seeded Chicago Sky 87-59, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three first-round playoff series.

The Aces vs Sky played at the T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday.

The first-seeded Las Vegas Aces dismantled the eighth-seeded Chicago Sky, 87-59, in Game 1 of their best-two-out-of-three First Round playoff series at the T-Mobile Arena.

There were 12,927 fans at T-Mobile to witness this matchup, which is a new playoff single-game record for the Aces since they relocated to Las Vegas ahead of the 2018 season.

The Core Four showed out in this one, starting with Chelsea Gray, who led the way with 20 points (7-of-15 FGs, 0-of-3 3s, 6-of-6 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Jackie Young added 18 points (5-of-14 FGs, 3-of-5 3s, 5-of-5 FTs), six assists, and three steals, while Kelsey Plum contributed 16 points (7-of-17 FGs, 2-of-7 3s), and Alysha Clark had 13 points (5-of-8 FGs, 2-of-3 3s) and four rebounds.

Kiah Stokes nabbed 15 rebounds, which ranks second all-time in Aces’ playoff history (only behind Liz Cambage’s record of 17). The 15 rebounds is also a playoff record for Stokes, who rebounded in double digits for the fifth time in her 24 playoff contests.

The Aces handled business against the Sky

Las Vegas still managed to find success despite A’ja Wilson only finishing with 14 points (6-of-12 FGs), eight rebounds, and four blocks.

It was the start of the Aces vs Sky first half. 

Kahleah Copper led the way for Chicago with 15 points (5-of-14 FGs, 1-of-3 3s, 4-of-6 FTs) and five rebounds. However, she was the only player for the Sky who scored in double digits.

After a historic regular season, the Aces opened the WNBA postseason with a win in search of their second straight championship.

Las Vegas scored the first six points of the game, asserting their dominance, as they eventually held a 12-5 lead. The Aces pulled away after a 3-pointer from Clark put Las Vegas up by double digits, 25-15. 

From there, the Aces’ lead never dipped below 10 points for the remainder of the game. Las Vegas shot 64.7 percent (11-of-17 FGs) from the field in the first quarter and only allowed one point off their three turnovers. 

The end of the Aces vs Sky first half. 

Meanwhile, the Sky were held to 33.3 percent (5-of-15 FGs) of their field goal attempts and gave up six points on four turnovers. Wilson and Chicago’s Alanna Smith led all scorers with eight points in the opening period.

The start of the Aces vs Sky second half. 

Las Vegas then ripped off eight unanswered points for a 41-22 lead midway through the second period. The Aces seemed to cool off to end the first half, making just 45.5 percent of their field goal attempts, all while continuing to stifle Chicago, as the Sky shot 36.4 percent overall.  Copper, however, had a quarter-high 11 points for Chicago.

Both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the third quarter, as Las Vegas missed their first eight field goal attempts while Chicago only made 2-of-8 from the field. The Sky barely outshot the Aces, with the former going 26.3 percent and the latter shooting 23.5 percent in the third period.

The fourth and final period of the game ended up being insignificant, as this game was already well-decided. The Aces continued to expand their lead throughout the fourth and eventually pushed it to a high of 32 points, 87-55, before closing with the 28-point win.

Las Vegas controlled this game through and through, as they outscored Chicago 27-15 on the fast break and 44-28 in the paint. 

The Aces also scored 16 points off of 14 Chicago turnovers, 10 of which were Las Vegas steals, all while only giving up six points on their own eight miscues.

Las Vegas utilized their freebies well, going 16-of-17 from the free throw line, while the Sky made 6-of-8.

The final score of the Aces vs Sky was, 87-59.

The Aces will now head into Game 2 against the Chicago Sky on Sunday, September 17th, at noon PST.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Jake on Twitter @jguchi_

Follow Jake on Instagram @jguchi_

Follow The Franchise on social media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube