Aces return to win column as regular season resumes

Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray reacts after hitting the game-tying basket ahead of overtime inside the Michelob Ultra Arena. Photo Credit: Flash Gordon/Talk that Talk

Las Vegas returned to regular season play with a victory that accounted for the franchise’s 500th in team history.

The historic win came in the form of a 98-90 overtime win over Chicago Friday, July 3 from the T-Mobile Arena as it came off a loss in the Commissioner’s Cup championship game. Now, the Aces have five wins in their last six regular season games.

Of those five wins, two have come against the Sky in the last week.

“I like round numbers so I like 500,” head coach Becky Hammon said. “In a way, it’s just one of those original franchises you know, Utah Starzz then San Antonio. We had good runs down there in San Antonio, I think we pretty much made the playoffs almost every year – got to a Finals so we did a lot of winning.

“But I think here in Vegas with this group, it’s really elevated the franchise to a place it’s never been.”

Las Vegas is now 15-5 on the year after entering Friday night’s game a half game back of Minnesota for the top spot in the league’s standings. Both teams are now tied atop the WNBA with identical records.

Up next, the Aces will conclude their three-game homestand with a 4 p.m. matchup with the Indiana Fever from Michelob Ultra Arena. While it has been announced that guard Caitlin Clark will miss the game, it is unclear if forward A’ja Wilson will be available after missing a second straight game with a sprained ankle.

Aces forward NaLyssa Smith goes up for a hook shot against the Sky. Photo Credit: Flash Gordon/Talk that Talk

“We always want to have A’ja on the floor,” forward NaLyssa Smith said. “It makes all of our lives easier. It’s unfortunate that she went down but we’re just trying to be effective any way we can collectively in order to help our team get the win.”

In overtime, Las Vegas needed a 10-0 run to steer clear of the consistent comeback efforts of Chicago. Guard Chelsea Gray hit back-to-back daggers forcing a timeout from the visitors.

“It’s in her DNA,” Hammon said. “She likes the big moments. She’s one of the toughest clutch players I’ve ever seen, male or female. Her run that she had in ‘22, you’ve seen her run in Unrivaled, you’ve seen her go on these crazy wins.

“I just feel like you’re just born with that when you like big moments. Pressure can either work for you or against you, she’s somebody the pressure works for her.”

Prior to the extra session, the Sky went on a 12-0 run of their own. That spurt featured the team taking its first lead of the game at 82-81. Chicago went on similar runs in both the first and third quarters to the tune of a 12-2 run and an 11-2 gash.

“Close games are fun,” Hammon said. “However, I’m looking at a lot of other things other than how I feel. I’m worried about trying to get stops and then trying to give us solutions offensively where we can try and score the ball.”

Las Vegas guard Chelsea Gray takes a midrange jumper inside a crowded painted area against Chicago. Photo Credit: Flash Gordon/Talk that Talk

Gray tied the game at 86-all in order to set up the overtime period by hitting a midrange jumper with just over 22 seconds left in regulation. In the win, she tallied 18 points, a team-high six assists and four rebounds.

“If you look at her whole career, that’s who she is,” guard Jewell Loyd said. “I think today in shootaround we talked about no matter where you are or who is in the room, you be who you are and that’s who Chelsea is.”

In addition to Wilson missing her second straight game, reserve guard Chennedy Carter didn’t play in the second half as she continues to work her way back to peak conditioning.

In the meantime, Smith connected on her first four field goals on her way to 15 first half points. Ultimately, she poured in a season-high 29 points on 11-of-14 from the field. Moreover, she finished just a point shy of tying her career-high in that department.

“We’re asking a lot of Lyss right now,” Hammon said. “Especially with A’s absence. She’s probably running into more action than she ever has so it’s a little bit exhausting.”

Aces forward NaLyssa Smith takes a tough, contested midrange jumper while defended by Sky center Kamilla Cardoso. Photo Credit: Flash Gordon/Talk that Talk

Sky Center Kamilla Cardoso ended with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double but was just limited to 4-of-11 from the floor. That shooting performance was a far-cry from her 10-for-15 shooting outing in the first meeting of the year between the pair.

“I like what [Smith] did on the defensive end too,” Hammon said. “She had to really work hard on both ends, both offensively and defensively. She should sleep well tonight after a 15-minute ice bath.”

As a team, the Aces forced their opponent into 18 turnovers which included 10 steals by the home team.

Loyd had a fast start to the game along with Smith. The tandem combined for eight points in the first three and a half minutes of the game. Additionally, the duo combined to score 16 points in the first quarter.

Loyd accumulated 12 points in the first half on her way to 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting including three made three-pointers, if you deduct Loyd’s 3-for-9 night from deep, the rest of the team combined to go 1-for-13.

Guard Jackie Young was the final player in double-figures with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.