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Sky pull off WNBA’s greatest comeback, stun Aces

Oct 2, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; A game ball falls through the net as the Las Vegas Aces warm up before game 1 of the WNBA finals against the Seattle Storm at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports

Courtney Vandersloot scored 25 points and dished out eight assists as the Chicago Sky rallied from a 28-point deficit, defeating the host Las Vegas Aces 104-95 on Tuesday night.

It was the largest comeback in WNBA history.

Two-time league MVP Candace Parker, who had missed two straight games due to a knee injury, made a difference in her return to the Sky (11-5) with 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Vegas, which has the best record in the WNBA at 13-3, had its four-game win streak snapped. Jackie Young led the Aces with 23 points.

Chicago, the reigning league champion, had a 18-0 third-quarter run, fueling the comeback.

The game was billed in part as a matchup between the reigning WNBA Players of the Week — Chicago’s Kahleah Copper for the Eastern Conference and Vegas’ A’ja Wilson for the West.

Copper was fairly quiet with nine points.

Wilson finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Vegas also got 22 points and eight assists from Kelsey Plum and 15 points, seven rebounds and a game-high three steals from Dearica Hamby.

Chicago got 17 points each from Azura Stevens and Emma Meesseman. Allie Quigley added 15 points and seven assists.

Early on, it was all Vegas as the Aces raced to a 41-18 lead after one quarter thanks to 12 points from Young and 10 by Plum. Vegas shot 61.9 percent from the floor, including 6 of 10 from 3-point range. The Aces also hit 6 of 7 free throws.

Chicago was held to 43.8 percent shooting in the first quarter, including 2-for-7 from long distance. The Sky did not get to the foul line.

In the second quarter, Chicago rallied, cutting the deficit to 62-51 by halftime. The Sky shot 75 percent in the second quarter, including 5-for-8 on 3-point attempts.

Stevens and Vandersloot each had seven second-quarter points.

In the third quarter, Parker’s steal and layup gave Chicago a 67-66 lead with 4:47 left. It was Chicago’s first lead since 4-2, and the Sky closed the third on top 81-73.

The Sky was never seriously challenged in the fourth quarter.

For the game, Chicago shot 57.3 percent from the floor, including 12-for-25 on 3-point tries.

Vegas shot just 44 percent, including 13-for-31 from beyond the arc.

–Field Level Media

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