In a resounding victory, A’ja Wilson showcased her playoff prowess, scoring a playoff career-high 38 points to propel the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces to a 92-70 triumph over the Chicago Sky on Sunday. With this victory, the Aces secured a first-round sweep in their best-of-3 series.
The Aces’ emphatic performance sets the stage for their upcoming semifinal clash against either the fourth-seeded Dallas Wings or the fifth-seeded Atlanta Dream. Game 1 of the semifinals is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas next Sunday, following the outcome of the Wings-Dream series. Currently, the Wings lead 1-0, with Game 2 set for Tuesday in Dallas.
A’ja Wilson was unstoppable in this playoff matchup, converting 15 of her 23 field-goal attempts and sinking 8 of 10 free throws. She also demonstrated her prowess on the boards, grabbing 16 rebounds, marking her first double-double of this postseason. Notably, Wilson had achieved six double-doubles during last year’s championship-winning campaign, underlining her importance to the Aces’ success. She also contributed three steals to her remarkable performance.
Jackie Young made her presence felt with 15 points, six assists, five rebounds, and three steals. Alysha Clark also played a pivotal role, tallying 14 points and six boards, while Kelsey Plum contributed 10 points to the Aces’ cause.
Las Vegas asserted their dominance from the outset, racing to a 23-14 lead after the first quarter, a margin they never relinquished. A’ja Wilson led the charge with 10 points, while Jackie Young chipped in with seven. By halftime, Wilson had already amassed 19 points and nine rebounds, and the Aces held a commanding 44-29 lead.
This victory extended the Aces’ perfect record against the eighth-seeded Chicago Sky this season, finishing 5-0 in their matchups.
For the Chicago Sky, Kahleah Copper emerged as the top scorer with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Dana Evans provided a significant spark off the bench, contributing 22 points, while Marina Mabrey added 15 points to the Sky’s effort.
The Las Vegas Aces, led by the formidable A’ja Wilson, are now poised for a thrilling semifinal showdown as they continue their quest to defend their championship title.
