Las Vegas Aces come up short in Chicago
Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates after a basket against the Los Angeles Sparks during the Aces' home opener at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Friday, May 21, 2021.
Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 | 8:36 p.m.
Allie Quigley scored 22 points, Diamond DeShields added 17 points and the Chicago Sky beat the Las Vegas Aces 92-84 on Sunday to clinch a playoff berth.
The Sky (15-14) have made the playoffs in each of coach James Wade’s three seasons with the team.
Kahleah Copper scored 14 points and Candace Parker had 12 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Chicago.
Riquna Williams was fouled as she made a jumper from the top of the key to trim the Aces' deficit to 87-84 with 2:18 to play but missed the and-the free throw. Las Vegas went 0 for 6 from the field as the Sky made 5 of 6 from the foul line from there to seal it.
Kelsey Plum led the Aces (20-8) with 23 points. A'ja Wilson scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Williams finished with 14 points.
Liz Cambage (COVID protocol) and Dearica Hamby (ankle) did not play for Las Vegas. Kiah Stokes, who started in place of Cambage, had 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Chicago shot 51% from the field and had 30 assists on 34 made field goals.