CHICAGO — The Chicago Sky took on the reigning WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces in an uphill matchup on Thursday night. Angel Reese notched her ninth straight double-double, and the Sky received double-digit scoring efforts from Marina Mabrey and Chennedy Carter. Yet, A'ja Wilson overwhelmed Chicago for a 95-83 victory. Mabrey revealed how Wilson and the Aces got the best of the Sky after the game.
How A'ja Wilson and the Aces handed the Sky a tough loss
Marina Mabrey acknowledged that Chicago did a sound job containing the Aces from the outside. However, the starting guard emphasized that Las Vegas' paint attack was a weak point.
“A'ja killed us inside, and we got beat inside against bigs,” Mabrey revealed during Thursday's postgame press conference. “I think we have to try to finish better, and try to have better defense. Our defense had some lapses in the second half especially. I think us as vets can do a better job of talking and being in spots earlier so we can set an example for our younger players.”
A'ja Wilson finished with 31 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. As Mabrey mentioned, the star forward scored most of her shots in the painted area. She went 52 percent from the field, with only two of her shots being three-pointers (1-of-2).
Marina Mabrey understands Chicago's need to be better, but she still contributed well offensively. She ended the night with a team-high 21 points along with six rebounds and four assists. She started the first half hot, shooting 2-first-3 on three-pointers but cooled to finish 3-for-8 at the game's end. Mabrey was not the only one who noted areas the Sky could use improvement.
Chicago veteran looks to help team bounce back and maintain standing
Fellow starting guard Lindsay Allen had an eye-opening take on whether mistakes or lack of experience contributed to the Sky's tough loss to the Aces.
“I think it's both. I think we had some mistakes defensively against their best players and when they went on a run at the end of the game. That's just experience… We'll grow from it and get better from it,” Allen shared.
Allen also took some personal responsibility for the loss.
“I think I have to do a better job of getting everyone organized on what we're running. Because I feel like at times we just play things out or drag a bit more,” the veteran guard added.
The Aces outperformed the Sky offensively in two major categories. Las Vegas shot 50 percent from the field and knocked down 36 percent of their three-pointers. In contrast, Chicago shot 44 percent overall and shot a lowly 26.7 percent from deep range.
Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon also took accountability after the game, reflecting on how she can continue to get better as a coach.
“Against a team like that, I'm hard on me. I'll look at me before I look at the players. I always have and I always will. How can I be better? When I go back and look at film, I'll look at me,” Weatherspoon said.
The Sky will turn their attention to another tough challenge against the Minnesota Lynx on June 30th.
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