We’re out of the Commissioner’s Cup break and back for the stretch run of the WNBA season. The Sky are looking to turn their season around in a major way, while the Aces continue to fight for the top seed in the league. Can Chicago pull off the upset? Or will Las Vegas keep pace with Minnesota in the playoff race?
Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET. The Aces are 4.5-point home favorites with -185 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. A Sky upset is priced at +154 with the game total set at O/U 179.5 points.
Let’s get into a pick and prediction for this Sky-Aces game.
Sky vs. Aces Preview
It has been a trying season for the Chicago Sky. Crushing injuries, prolonged losing streaks, and an overall struggle for consistency have marred this rebuilding team. But, finally, there is some hope. After losing 10 of 11 games, the Sky rebounded with back-to-back blowout wins over the Portland Fire. It was a much-needed set of victories for this group, who have been sorely tested by a difficult year. With the second half of the season about to get underway, it’s time for this team to buckle down and figure out what their identity is.
The return of Courtney Vandersloot is sure to have an impact. The Sky legend is not only a living franchise icon, starting her 14th season in Chicago, but she’s a sorely needed presence on the court. The seven-time WNBA assist leader gives Chicago a great one-two punch of strong veteran floor generals as Skylar Diggins’s backup. With Chicago desperate for offensive consistency and light on playmaking, Vandersloot will raise this team’s floor and help youngsters like Gabriela Jaquez, Azura Stevens, and Kamilla Cardoso find their footing.
Las Vegas is on the other side of the injury coin right now. Their MVP, A’ja Wilson, remains sidelined on Friday with an ankle injury. That leaves them searching for answers that they could not find in a Commissioner’s Cup Final loss to the New York Liberty. Despite getting 31 points from Jackie Young, they failed to keep pace with a Liberty offense that was firing in the Final. With their defensive anchor and best offensive weapon sidelined, the Aces, led by head coach Becky Hammon, will have to get creative.
A lot of eyes are on Chelsea Gray. Their best playmaker and arguably their best three-point shooter, Gray struggled in the Cup Final, sinking the Aces’ offense. If she can spread the ball around to get role players involved, knock down her threes, and defer to Young when necessary, Las Vegas will be in a good position. But if turnovers increase and the shots aren’t falling, the math becomes a whole lot tougher for the defending champions.
Now we know what to make of these two teams. Who is going to take home the win?
Sky vs. Aces Pick, Best Bet
I don’t mean to understate A’ja Wilson’s absence here, especially with Kamilla Cardoso roaming the paint on both ends for the Chicago Sky. But the Aces have a massive talent edge on the Sky and, even without their anchor on both ends of the floor, possess a more cohesive identity. Vegas’ backcourt trio of Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Chennedy Carter will pick apart this suspect Chicago defense all night long, and the Aces will pick up an important win without their superstar.
Best Bet: Las Vegas Aces -4.5 (-110)
