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Story by Cassandra Cousineau Photos by Hugh Byrne
It’s one down and seven to go for a repeat WNBA championship.
The Las Vegas Aces Wednesday began their march towards back-to-back appearances in the WNBA Finals by easily handling the Chicago Sky in Game 1 of the playoffs with an 87-59 win.
Even without future Hall-of-Famer Candace Parker who remains off the court while she recovers from surgery to repair her fractured foot, the outcome was never in doubt as Las Vegas jumped out to a 12-point lead over Chicago, Parker’s previous team.
Led by the Aces’ “Core Four” of two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young, the Aces cruised to a 53-36 lead at halftime, and never looked back. At one point, the Aces’ lead ballooned to as much as 30 in the fourth quarter of the game. The Sky scored only 23 points in the second half.
The Aces played their second of two straight games at T-Mobile Arena, home of the defending NHL champion Vegas Golden Knights.
Wednesday’s crowd was announced at 12,927 after more than 17,400 fans came for the Aces’ final game of their 34-6 season on Sunday. The Aces are the WNBA’s top playoff seed, finishing two wins ahead of fellow super team, the New York Liberty, during the regular season.
The Aces’ permanent home, Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay hotel-casino, hosted a Toyota convention through the week.
Wilson contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots and acknowledged the team’s focus after the game.
“We have this never satisfied mentality. We always know we can get better. The little things matter now more than ever,” she said.
Gray led a balanced attack with 20 points and seven assists. Young contributed 18 points, six assists and three steals. Plum scored 16 points, while and Alysha Clark tallied 13 points off the bench.
Las Vegas can close out this first round series against Chicago at Michelob Ultra Arena in this best two-of-three first-round series on Sunday.