Las Vegas locks in postseason berth with road win in Chicago

Las Vegas locks in postseason berth with road win in Chicago originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Las Vegas Aces aren’t just getting hot at the right time, they look like a team no one wants to see in the postseason. Their 79-74 road win over the Chicago Sky on Monday night extended their winning streak to 11 games and secured an official spot in the playoffs.

Aces clinch playoff spot after 11th straight win over Sky

Jackie Young was the engine from the start, scoring 20 of her 22 points in the first half while hitting four threes. She also handed out seven assists, proving once again how dangerous she can be when she balances scoring and playmaking. A’ja Wilson added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Chelsea Gray chipped in 14 points and seven assists. NaLyssa Smith rounded things out with 10 points off the bench, giving Las Vegas enough production to hold off a desperate Chicago squad.

Sky fight but fall short

The Sky, now 9-28, gave the Aces all they could handle. Ariel Atkins had her best performance of the season with 30 points, keeping Chicago within reach every step of the way. Rookie big Kamilla Cardoso added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Angel Reese piled up 10 points and 17 rebounds for her 20th double-double of the year. That mark set a new WNBA record for the most double-doubles through a player’s first two seasons, breaking Tina Charles’ long-standing record.

Chicago briefly took the lead late in the fourth quarter on a Reese fast-break layup, but the Aces responded immediately. Gray drilled a deep three to swing the game back, and Wilson followed with a dagger jumper to put Las Vegas up for good.

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Aces looking ahead

With the win, the Aces became just the second team to clinch a playoff berth this season. Sitting at 25-14, they are peaking at the right time. Their streak has come after a rocky first half of the season, and now they look like one of the favorites to make another deep run.

For Las Vegas, the formula has not changed: turn to Wilson’s dominance, count on Young and Gray to deliver in big moments, and rely on their experience in high-pressure games. They’ve won back-to-back championships for a reason, and their current form suggests a third isn’t out of the question.

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