Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young lead Aces past Sky 87-59 to open their WNBA title defense
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) and Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey (4) chase the ball during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. Sky forward Alanna Smith is at left. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon shouts during the second half of Game 1 of the team’s WNBA basketball playoff series against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) shoots against Chicago Sky forward Ruthy Hebard during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Chicago Sky interim coach Emre Vatansever talks with players after the first quarter against the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson prays before Game 1 of the team’s WNBA basketball playoff series against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson shoots against Chicago Sky forward Alanna Smith during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) steals the ball from Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey, right, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) defends against Chicago Sky guard Courtney Williams (10) during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) is fouled by Chicago Sky forward Alanna Smith (8) while shooting during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey (4) during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots over Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. Aces guard Kierstan Bell is at right. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots a layup against Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams (1), guard Courtney Williams, center, and forward Alanna Smith during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) and Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey (4) chase the ball during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. Sky forward Alanna Smith is at left. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) and Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey (4) chase the ball during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. Sky forward Alanna Smith is at left. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon shouts during the second half of Game 1 of the team’s WNBA basketball playoff series against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon shouts during the second half of Game 1 of the team’s WNBA basketball playoff series against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) shoots against Chicago Sky forward Ruthy Hebard during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) shoots against Chicago Sky forward Ruthy Hebard during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Chicago Sky interim coach Emre Vatansever talks with players after the first quarter against the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Chicago Sky interim coach Emre Vatansever talks with players after the first quarter against the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson prays before Game 1 of the team’s WNBA basketball playoff series against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson prays before Game 1 of the team’s WNBA basketball playoff series against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson shoots against Chicago Sky forward Alanna Smith during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson shoots against Chicago Sky forward Alanna Smith during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) steals the ball from Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey, right, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) steals the ball from Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey, right, during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) defends against Chicago Sky guard Courtney Williams (10) during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) defends against Chicago Sky guard Courtney Williams (10) during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) is fouled by Chicago Sky forward Alanna Smith (8) while shooting during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) is fouled by Chicago Sky forward Alanna Smith (8) while shooting during the first half of Game 1 of a WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey (4) during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot by Chicago Sky guard Marina Mabrey (4) during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots over Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. Aces guard Kierstan Bell is at right. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Chicago Sky guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots over Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. Aces guard Kierstan Bell is at right. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots a layup against Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams (1), guard Courtney Williams, center, and forward Alanna Smith during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots a layup against Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams (1), guard Courtney Williams, center, and forward Alanna Smith during the first half of Game 1 in a first-round WNBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chelsea Gray had 20 points and seven assists, Jackie Young added 18 points and the top-seeded Las Vegas Aces beat the Chicago Sky 87-59 on Wednesday night to begin a WNBA playoff series.
The defending champion Aces host Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Sunday. Las Vegas, which had the best record in the league at 34-6, has won all four matchups with Chicago this season.
Kelsey Plum scored 16 points and A’ja Wilson had 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for Las Vegas. Alysha Clark added 13 points.
The Aces defense held Chicago to 33% shooting.
Kahleah Copper scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half for Chicago. Courtney Williams had nine points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Wilson and Gray each scored 10 points in the opening 14 minutes to help the Aces build a 39-20 lead. Plum had a team-high 13 points in the first half and Young added 10 points as Las Vegas led 53-36.
Las Vegas didn’t make a field goal in the opening five minutes of the second half, but Chicago couldn’t take advantage.
Plum and Young each made a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions for a 61-40 lead midway through the third quarter. Las Vegas extended it to 80-50 after an 8-0 run, including six straight points from Gray.