The Las Vegas Aces made history picking up their 30th win improving to 30-4 on the season after defeating the Chicago Sky, 94-87.
The Aces rallied from behind to overcome the Chicago Sky 94-87 in their second game of a four game road trip. Jackie Young led the Aces with 24 points, Kelsey Plum had 23 points, Chelsea Gray added 19 points and A’ja Wilson had 18.
Marina Mabrey led the Sly with 22 points, followed by Elizabeth Williams with 17 points, Kahleah Copper added 13 points.
The Aces made history again, winning their 30th game of the season after rallying from behind to upset the Sky. It was not easy, as the Aces would struggle in the first half, trailing by 13 points at the half. However, the Aces would come alive in the third quarter, outscoring the Sky 33-18 to retake the lead going into the fourth quarter. Chicago would retake the lead to early in the fourth quarter after a Robyn Parks jumper gave them a 78-74 lead with 7 minutes left. Chelsea Gray took over the game in the last 5 minutes with the Aces up one, scoring 9 of the Aces final 13 points. Jackie Young led the Aces finishing with a 24 point 10 rebound double double and 5 assist on 57% shooting from the field.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Aces strong second half
The Aces trailed by 13 points at halftime, shooting 14-37 (37%), while Chicago shot 20-37 (54%) from the floor. In the second half the Aces fought their way back into the game with Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young leading the way. The backcourt duo combined for 24 of the Aces 33 points in the third quarter. After allowing more than 20 points in the opening two quarters, the Aces tightened up on defense, holding the Sky to under 20 points in each of the last two quarters. Chicago turned the ball over seven times in the second half, and the Aces capitalized, scoring 13 points off those errors.
“At halftime if I have to scream harder than we are playing its a problem,” Hammon said. “The two different teams it’s a glaring difference when we play defense and to their credit they locked in.”
Aces limit Copper
Last time these two teams met Kahleah Copper went off scoring 37 points on 12-18 shooting from the field. Copper came out hot again scoring 8 points in the first half on an efficient 3-6 shooting. The Aces defense in the second half made it difficult for Copper to get going in the second half forcing her into some tough looks and also forcing her to turn the ball over three times. Copper was limited to 5 points in the second half, ending with 13 points for the game.
“She plays hard for forty minutes and she is a tough check she is super explosive shooting over 40% from three,” Plum said. “Every year she has gotten better which says a lot about her in the offseason. She is the focal point of everyones defense trying to stop her and she is still able to super efficient and score at a high level.”
Kelsey Plum heats up late
Kelsey Plum struggled to find her rhythm in the first half, shooting 0-5 and scoring just four points, all of which came from the free throw line. Plum came alive in the second half, hitting a three-pointer to start the third quarter. Plum then hit three more three-pointers in the third quarter to help the Aces retake the lead going into the fourth. She went on to finish the game with 23 points, 19 of which came in the second half, to help the Aces win on her 29th birthday.
“Plum is 0-5 in the first half and then is 5-7 in the second,” Hammon said.
“You know in life you just gotta keep shooting, you know what I mean first half it is what it is in the second half it is what it is I was just gonna keep shooting,” Plum said.
The Aces will travel to Washington Saturday to take on the Mystics with tip off set 4 p.m. PT.
