Aces defeat Sky for 11th straight victory, clinch playoff spot

Chelsea Gray buried a deep, go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:37 remaining as the visiting Las Vegas Aces pulled out a 79-74 victory over the Chicago Sky on Monday night, extending their winning streak to 11 games and clinching a playoff berth.

The Aces, now 25-14, leaned early on guard Jackie Young, who scored 20 of her team-high 22 points in the first half to help build a double-digit lead.


A’ja Wilson added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Gray finished with 14, including the decisive 27-footer that restored Las Vegas’ lead after Angel Reese’s layup had briefly put Chicago ahead 74-73. Wilson followed with a three-point play to close the game as the Aces scored the final six points.

Las Vegas was sharp from long range, hitting 11 of 23 three-point attempts, but had to withstand a strong second-half push from Chicago.

The Sky, who dropped their 15th game in 17 outings to fall to 9-28, were led by Ariel Atkins with a game-high 30 points. Rookie center Kamilla Cardoso contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Reese added 10 points and a game-high 17 boards for her 17th double-double.


Chicago trailed by 14 at halftime and by as many as 16 early in the third quarter, but stormed back with Cardoso leading the charge. A 21-12 run cut the deficit to four entering the fourth, and the Sky finally seized the lead late in regulation before Gray’s clutch shot turned the momentum for good.


Young’s hot shooting fueled the Aces early, including a 12-point burst to close the first half after Chicago had pulled within two. The night also featured a special halftime ceremony, as the Sky retired the No. 3 jersey of WNBA legend and hometown star Candace Parker.