The Sky vs Aces matchup delivered one of the most entertaining WNBA games of the week as the Las Vegas Aces outlasted the Chicago Sky 98-90 in overtime on Friday night. Despite playing without superstar A’ja Wilson for a second straight game, the Aces leaned on NaLyssa Smith, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young to secure another important victory.
Chicago mounted an impressive fourth-quarter comeback and even took the lead late in regulation, but Las Vegas’ experience proved decisive in overtime.
Sky vs Aces: Chicago’s Comeback Falls Short
The Sky struggled early but refused to go away. A strong defensive stretch in the fourth quarter fueled a 12-0 run that briefly gave Chicago the advantage. However, costly turnovers and missed opportunities in the closing seconds allowed the Aces to force overtime.
Once the extra period began, Las Vegas quickly regained control with a dominant 10-0 run, showcasing why they remain one of the WNBA’s championship contenders.
NaLyssa Smith Leads the Aces
With A’ja Wilson unavailable due to injury, NaLyssa Smith stepped up with arguably her best performance of the season.
Top performers for Las Vegas:
- NaLyssa Smith: 29 points, 8 rebounds
- Chelsea Gray: 18 points, 6 assists
- Jewell Loyd: 19 points
- Jackie Young: 16 points
Smith dominated inside, shooting efficiently throughout the contest while Chelsea Gray once again delivered clutch baskets late in regulation and overtime.
Chicago Sky Show Fight
Although the Sky dropped to 6-14, there were several encouraging performances.
Top performers for Chicago:
- Skylar Diggins: 19 points
- Kamilla Cardoso: 16 points, 10 rebounds
- Natasha Cloud: 15 points
- Courtney Vandersloot: 11 points
- Azurá Stevens: 11 points
Chicago’s veteran backcourt nearly stole the game, but the team couldn’t capitalize on its late momentum.
Key Turning Point
The biggest moment came during overtime when Chicago appeared to cut the deficit to two points on an and-one basket. After an Aces challenge, officials overturned the play to an offensive foul, wiping away the basket.
Moments later, Chelsea Gray buried consecutive jumpers to seal the victory and end the Sky’s comeback hopes.
What the Result Means
The victory improved the Las Vegas Aces to 15-5, keeping them among the league’s elite despite missing their MVP. Their ability to win close games without A’ja Wilson highlights the team’s depth and championship experience.
For the Chicago Sky, the defeat was another frustrating lesson. The young squad has shown significant improvement in recent weeks but continues to struggle with late-game execution in close contests.
Final Thoughts
The latest Sky vs Aces meeting showcased everything fans love about the WNBA—momentum swings, clutch performances, and dramatic overtime basketball. Chicago proved it can compete with one of the league’s best teams, while Las Vegas demonstrated the resilience that has made it a perennial title contender.
If these teams meet again later this season, expect another highly competitive battle.
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