The Las Vegas Aces, the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, were the first team to advance to the 2023 WNBA semifinals after completing the sweep of the Chicago Sky, winning game 2 by a score of 92-70. It is their fifth consecutive time advancing to the WNBA Semifinals. 

A'ja Wilson, in the running for the 2023 WNBA MVP award, had an exceptional game for the Aces, delivering an all-time performance with a double-double of 38 points and 16 rebounds. Her 38 points broke the franchise record for most points scored in a playoff game, surpassing the current Las Vegas Aces head coach, Becky Hammon. Wilson wasn’t limited to just the offensive side of the ball, as she gathered three steals and four blocks as well. 

For the Chicago Sky, Kahleah Copper had a double-double herself of 25 points and 10 rebounds. Dana Evans, a candidate for Sixth Woman of the Year award, had 22 points and three assists off the bench. 

The reigning champions will have a week to rest and prepare for Game 1 of the semifinals on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. PCT on ESPN 2. 

Sun and Lynx set for Game 3 Showdown

Stephanie White led the Connecticut Sun to a 27-13 record this year, good enough for the No. 3 seed in the playoffs and the 2023 Coach of the Year Award. However, the Sun fell to the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday 82-75 in Game 2 of the first-round series, which is now tied at 1-1. 

For Minnesota, Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier became the fifth pair of teammates to have 25 or more points and eight or more rebounds in the same game, according to Across the Timeline. 

McBride scored 28 points, made six three-pointers, grabbed eight rebounds, and tied Maya Moore (2011 Western Conference Finals) for most three-pointers made in franchise history. Collier had a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds. 

The Minnesota Lynx will host the Connecticut Sun for a winner-take-all Game 3 on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. PCT on ESPN. 

Upcoming

On Tuesday night, the second-seeded New York Liberty will face the seventh-seeded Washington Mystics, looking to close out that series in two. Following this matchup, the No. 4 Dallas Wings will take on the No. 5 Atlanta Dream, with Dallas seeking to advance to the Semifinals.