Aces aim for better execution after loss to Chicago

Sure, the Aces astir bushed a steadfast playoff team. On the road. Sans 2 of their All-Stars successful Liz Cambage and Dearica Hamby.

But reigning MVP A’ja Wilson didn’t spot the metallic lining aft an 92-84 nonaccomplishment Sunday to the Chicago Sky astatine Wintrust Arena.

“We’ve got to get a amended start. We’ve got to travel the crippled plan,” Wilson said aft tallying 18 points and 12 rebounds. “I deliberation we mislaid who we were and the things that got america the (win) successful the archetypal crippled (Thursday). We didn’t bash that the 2nd game.”

The Aces trailed by arsenic galore arsenic 12 successful the archetypal fractional Sunday and tied the crippled doubly successful the 2nd fractional earlier yet succumbing to the Sky, who clinched a playoff berth with the victory.

Las Vegas astatine 20-8 is inactive successful power of the No. 2 effect and accompanying double-bye that would warrant a berth successful the WNBA semifinals.

But the pb is present a specified 1.5 games implicit the Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx, who travel to Las Vegas connected Wednesday for what Aces manager Bill Laimbeer deemed the “game of the year.”

“We conscionable enactment ourselves successful a presumption with nary borderline for error,” helium said.

Las Vegas defeated Chicago without Cambage (health and information protocols) and Hamby (sprained ankle) connected Thursday astatine Michelob Ultra Arena by sharing the shot and limiting a backcourt comprised of All-Stars Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Kahleah Copper.

But connected Sunday Chicago constricted the Aces’ touches successful the lane successful the archetypal 4th and attacked the handbasket successful the lack of the 6-foot-8-inch Cambage and her irreplaceable rim protection, resulting successful an aboriginal 43-31 lead.

Kelsey Plum sparked a rally with her vigor and pace, scoring a game-high 23 points to proceed her Sixth Woman of the Year campaign. Vandersloot and Candace Parker controlled the gait of play, though, combining for 14 assists — and Quigley roamed escaped for unfastened jumpers en way to a team-high 22 points.

Laimbeer said Las Vegas’ discourtesy stagnated successful the 4th fourth aft watching the shot and subordinate question dwindle down the stretch. Plum didn’t disagree, saying the Aces request to sharpen their execution during the past 4 games of the regular play earlier they hole for playoff competition.

Their archetypal accidental to bash truthful comes against a Lynx squad whom they haven’t beaten this season.

“Getting the shot wherever we privation it … everybody connected the aforesaid page, being crisp successful precocious moments — that’s the quality successful this crippled betwixt a triumph and a loss,” Plum said.

Diamond DeShields scored 17 for Chicago, which improved to 15-14. Parker finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists.

Riquna Williams added 14 points for Las Vegas.

Contact newsman Sam Gordon astatine sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon connected Twitter.