A’ja shine as Aces win 3 straight games for first time since July 14

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A’ja Wilson scored 30 points and had 14 rebounds, Chelsea Gray added 13 points and 10 assists and the Las Vegas Aces defeated Chicago 90-71 on Tuesday night, handing the Sky their seventh straight loss.

Chicago’s loss and Atlanta’s loss in Phoenix secured the Mercury and the dormant Indiana Fever a spot in the playoffs.

Tiffany Hayes, who replaced Kelsey Plum while she rested her ankle, scored 20 points for the Aces (21-12), while Jackie Young had 15.

Wilson’s eighth game this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds helped Las Vegas stay a game ahead of Seattle for the fourth playoff spot and home-court advantage in the first round. Wilson also had three blocks, three assists and two steals and didn’t commit a foul.

She has now scored 139 points in her last four games, tying Maya Moore for the most in a four-game WNBA series, which Moore did 10 years ago for Minnesota.

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The game was played at T-Mobile Arena instead of the Aces’ usual home arena at Mandalay Bay and drew 18,394 fans, the second-highest home crowd in franchise history.

Michaela Onyenwere had 15 points to lead Chicago, which is still tied with Atlanta for the final playoff spot, one game ahead of Washington. Kamilla Cardoso added 14 points, Dana Evans had 13 off the bench and Angel Reese extended her rookie record for double-doubles to 25 with 12 points and 16 rebounds.

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The Aces led 47-31 at halftime, but the Sky didn’t give up. Evans hit a 3-pointer with 3:58 left to cut the lead to 78-68. Wilson scored the next six points as the Aces pulled away.

The Aces led 17-13 after one quarter and then scored 13 straight to open the second. Gray scored seven points on the rebound and had assists on the other three baskets.

Las Vegas entered the fourth quarter with a 68-51 lead after Young scored four points to spark a closing 8-2 run.

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