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A’ja Wilson and Kamilla Cardoso. | NBAE via Getty Images
The Chicago Sky felt confident heading into their United Center showdown against the defending-champion Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. They won back-to-back games against the Portland Fire at home, including a record-setting 124-94 win on Friday.
However, that momentum was only temporary as they fell to the Aces 107-99.
The game started off on even keel. The Sky played together, attacked the rim, made shots, moved the ball around and moved without the ball. As a result, they found themselves tied at 31 after the first quarter, led by eight points from Kamilla Cardoso and six from Azurá Stevens.
But in the second quarter, things quickly switched.
The Aces went on a 26-9 run that began at the end of the first and extended deep into the second quarter. Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray each had eight points for Vegas during the surge that gave the Aces a 61-50 halftime advantage.
Vegas held onto the momentum in the second half, enjoying another 15-5 run in the latter half of the third quarter in order to extend their lead to 18 points by the end of the period.
In the fourth quarter, the Sky chipped away at the lead to bring the game within single digits, but outscoring the defending champs 26-21 in the final frame wasn’t enough. The Aces ultimately maintained control and came out on top.
A’ja Wilson finished with a double-double of 30 points and 15 rebounds. Young came away with 28 points, eight assists and four 3-pointers. Gray had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Former Sky player Chennedy Carter finished with 11 points.
Make that another double-double for the M'VP
30 PTS
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 28, 2026
Cardoso and Stevens each finished with 24 points for the Sky. Cardoso added eight rebounds and was 10-for-15 from the field. It was another solid performance following her perfect 13-for-13 showing against the Fire last Friday. Stevens added six rebounds and three 3-pointers.
Sydney Taylor had another standout performance with 14 points and three rebounds. Elizabeth Williams came off the bench and added 10 points along with three rebounds. Skylar Diggins had seven points, six rebounds and five assists. Natasha Cloud had 6 points, four assists, and two rebounds.
Courtney Vandersloot, in her second game back in the lineup, came off the bench and scored five points and dished out eight assists. Jacy Sheldon came away with five points and two assists.
Overall, the Sky played well in certain areas.
They outscored the Aces in points in the paint 54-38. They had 18 second-chance points compared to Vegas’ five. Their bench outscored the Aces 28-22. The Sky also won the rebounding battle, 36-32.
After the game, however, Taylor emphasized the need step up in certain areas, while also taking a second to celebrate an emphatic block on Wilson, saying:
Despite winning the rebounding battle, the Sky still missed opportunities, sometimes standing around when one of their own shot from 3 with nobody crashing. Conventional wisdom attributes offensive rebounds to more seconds-chance points, meaning the Sky missed out on some scores that could have swung the momentum in their favor.
But, while recognizing the potential value of the offensive glass, head coach Tyler Marsh said he is looking to strike a balance with offensive rebounding opportunities and transition defense, explaining after the game:
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