A’ja Wilson scored as time expired to save the Las Vegas Aces from blowing a 13-point fourth-quarter lead over the Chicago Sky on Sunday at Wintrust Arena. The Aces won 77-75 despite another 20-rebound game from Angel Reese.
Wilson’s winning layup for the Aces (18-11) came after Lindsay Allen hit a 3-pointer and Chennedy Carter followed with two more to pull the Sky even with a second remaining.
Wilson, a two-time MVP for the two-time defending champions, finished with 20 points and 18 rebounds for her 21st double-double this season. Kelsey Plum scored 18 but made just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc, adding five assists. Megan Gustafson sank three 3-pointers and scored 13. Chelsea Gray pitched in with 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists with her final one coming on Wilson’s game-winner.
Reese grabbed a season-high 22 rebounds for the Sky (11-18), which saw its lead over the Atlanta Dream for the final playoff spot slip to a half-game with its third straight loss. Reese, who became the first player in league history to grab 20 rebounds in back-to-back games in the first two losses, is now the first to top 20 in three straight.
Carter scored 25 to lead the Sky. Lindsay Allen totaled 16 points and five assists, while Michaela Onyenwere scored 15. Reese scored 11 on the way to her sixth double-double in a row and her 22nd of the season.
Onyenwere began and ended the Sky’s scoring in the first quarter with 3-pointers to help them build a 17-12 lead.
Plum drove for a layup and Wilson hit two shots in the final 45 seconds as the Aces scored the final six points to take a 32-30 lead into halftime.
Carter and Reese pulled the Sky even twice in the first two minutes of the third quarter, but Gustafson answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Aces on top 40-34.
The Aces stayed in front until Plum was charged with a technical with 2:48 left in the period. Reese hit the foul shot and Kamilla Cardoso followed with two straight baskets to put the Sky up 50-48. A layup by Carter pushed the Sky’s run to 7-0, but Gustafson answered with a layup and Wilson hit a pull-up jumper to even the score at 52 heading to the final quarter.
Gray sank a 3-pointer, Gustafson and Jackie Young had back-to-back baskets and Plum sank a free throw after Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon was whistled for a technical, ending an 8-0 run in the first 1:47 of the fourth.
Plum hit a 3-pointer to give the Aces a 73-60 lead with 4:36 remaining.
Up next
Las Vegas: Aces travel to play the Dallas Wings on Tuesday.
Chicago: Sky will host the Washington Mystics on Wednesday.
