Las Vegas, NV— In Thursday night WNBA action The Las Vegas Aces won their third straight game to take over the top WNBA playoff spot after beating the Chicago Sky, 89-78 at the Michelob Ultra Arena.
With the win it gave Vegas their franchise record with 25th victories over the season. The Aces were led by Kelsey Plum (25 points on four three pointers) Jackie Young, who contributed 22 points, including 16 in the third quarter. A’ja Wilson and Riquana Williams followed up with 12 points apiece.The Aces end the regular season on Sunday with a home game against the Seattle Storm.
Las Vegas (25-10) and the Chicago Sky (25-10) are tied for the number one spot, with the Aces holding a tiebreaker in the race for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Sky will close the regular season on Sunday against Phoenix.
Plum scored 13 points by the halfway mark of the second quarter, catapulting Las Vegas to a 37-21 lead. Plum finished the half with 18 points, making all three of her 3-pointers and the Aces led 47-33 going into the break.
Young took over the third coming out of the break, scoring 16 points in the opening seven minutes to give the Aces a commanding 63-48 lead. The Aces dribbled down the clock at the end of the quarter but Candace Parker blocked Williams’ jumper on the elbow and Kahleah Copper sprinted to the other end of the hardwood for a deep 3-pointer to get the Sky within 71-61.
But Vegas was able to hold on, leading by at least nine points throughout the fourth quarter.
Copper tied a career-high with 28 points for the Sky, which was undone by turning the ball 17 times. Parker had 15 points, 12 boards and six assists, and Emma Meesseman chipped in 14. Allie Quigley went 1 for 7 from the field for four points and Courtney Vandersloot was held to six points.
Chicago superstar Candice Parker surpassed Rebekkah Brunson for third in WNBA history with 3,364 career boards. Sylvia Fowles holds the record with 3,982 and Tina Charles is second with 3,626 rebounds.
