FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sky - WNBA Playoffs First Round - Game 2 - 2023

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Sky – WNBA Playoffs First Round – Game 2 – 2023

Franchise Sports Media

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

 

The first-seeded Las Vegas Aces advanced to the WNBA semifinals after defeating the eighth-seeded Chicago Sky in Game 2, 90-72.

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

The Las Vegas Aces are now headed to the WNBA Semifinals for their fifth consecutive season thanks to a franchise playoff-high of 38 points (15-of-23 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs) from A’ja Wilson in a 92-70 victory over the Chicago Sky in Game 2 of the First Round of the 2023 Playoffs. 

Wilson also collected 16 rebounds, blocked four shots, and accumulated three steals in less than 30 minutes as the Aces never trailed.

Wilson also notched her 13th playoff double-double, which ranks tied for eighth (Cheryl Ford) among all-time WNBA playoff double-double leaders.

Also for Las Vegas, Jackie Young pitched in 15 points (5-of-17 FGs, 2-of-7 3s), six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Alysha Clark totaled 14 points (5-of-8 FGs, 2-of-3 3s) and six boards, while Kelsey Plum scored 10 points (3-of-11 FGs, 2-of-5 3s).

The Aces handled business against the Sky

Chelsea Gray dished out nine assists to extend her career playoff total with the franchise to 118, surpassing the franchise record formerly held by Becky Hammon (114).

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

Kiah Stokes’s ten rebounds marked her sixth double-digit rebounding effort in her 25 playoff contests, including both playoff games in 2023. She is averaging 12.5 rebounds in the 2023 postseason.

Kahleah Copper led the Sky in their final game of the year with 25 points (8-of-18 FGs, 4-of-8 3s, 5-of-6 FTs) and ten rebounds. Dana Evans came off the bench and produced 22 points (7-of-12 FGs, 1-of-3 3s, 7-of-7 FTs), while Marina Mabrey had 12 points (5-of-13 FGs, 1-of-5 3s).

With the score tied at 4-4 early in the first quarter, Young scored seven points in a 9-0 Aces run that put Las Vegas up 13-4. The Aces netted 44.4 percent of their shots, while their defense held the Sky to an abysmal 29.4 percent from the field. 

Las Vegas also dominated Chicago by 12-2 points in the paint and 9-0 on the fast break. Wilson scored 10 points on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field.

The end of the Aces vs Sky first half. 

Chicago narrowed the gap to five, 23-18, in the first minute of the second period. However, the Aces responded with six-straight that led to a 17-7 run to go up 40-25. 

The start of the Aces vs Sky second half. 

Las Vegas hit just 36.8 percent of their field goal attempts, while Chicago connected on 43.8 percent of theirs in the quarter. The Aces received nine points and five rebounds from Wilson in the second quarter and owned a 23-14 advantage on the glass through the first half.

Before this game, only three players had recorded 15+ points, 9+ rebounds, 4+ blocks, and 3+ steals in a complete game. 

Wilson had that in the first half: 19 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, three steals. The other three are Tangela Smith, Candace Parker (2x), and Tamika Catchings (2x).

Las Vegas led by 17 or more points throughout the third period, eventually going up by as many as 28, outscoring the Sky 25-16 in the quarter. 

Wilson scored 14 points on 6-of-9 from the field, and Copper had eight points for Chicago. The Aces hit 47.8 percent from the field, while its defense held Chicago to 30.8 percent.

The Sky took a final run at the Aces in the final quarter, coming within nine points, 71-62, with 6:26 to play. Las Vegas, however, scored the next 14 points to end Chicago’s comeback hopes. 

Copper and Evans did all they could, scoring 10 points each to help the Sky outscore the Aces 25-23 in the quarter. Meanwhile, no Las Vegas player had more than five points. Chicago outshot the Aces 47.4 percent to 35.3 percent from the field.

The final score of the Aces vs Sky was, 92-70.

Las Vegas will now host the winner of the Dallas Wings (#4) vs. Atlanta Dream (#5) series beginning Sunday, September 24th at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. Game 2 of the best-3-out-of-5 series will also be on the Aces’ home court, Tuesday, September 26th at 7 p.m.

 

– Jake Ideguchi-Furukawa – Franchise Sports Media

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