Gray leads Aces over Sky in WNBA Commissioner's Cup
Las Vegas guard puts up 19 points in MVP performance
Kelsey Plum scored 12 of her 24 points in the first quarter as the Las Vegas Aces raced to an early 23-point lead, then held on for a 93-83 victory over the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night to win the second WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship.
Plum, who won the all-star MVP in Chicago a few weeks ago, hit six of her nine 3-point attempts.
"We were moving the ball really well and I just happened to be the beneficiary of a lot of wide-open looks," Plum said. "You know I came into the game telling myself to be really patient and just let it come, but it came really early."
Chelsea Gray had 19 points — including nine pivotal points in the third quarter — and earned MVP of the game.
"My team balled out today. We hooped," Gray said. "I know I'm the MVP right now, this should go to them right there. Super proud of this team and everything we accomplished."
Chelsea Gray (<a href="https://twitter.com/cgray209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cgray209</a>) is your 2022 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommissionersCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommissionersCup</a> MVP 👏 <a href="https://t.co/z7Z9WIPOLH">pic.twitter.com/z7Z9WIPOLH</a>
—@WNBAA'ja Wilson had 17 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks as the Aces dominated early, then repelled several Sky runs in the second half. Jackie Young had 18 points.
Candace Parker led Chicago with 20 points and Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman each added 18. Defending WNBA champion Chicago closed within seven points at the end of the third quarter, but lost a second straight game for the first time this season.
The Aces outscored the Sky 33-14 in the first quarter. That was the difference in this one.
"You know, early on, I feel we were very passive and credit to them," Parker said. "They came out and threw the first punch. That's not the way we wanted to come out and play."
Added Sky coach James Wade: "I think Vegas is too good of a team to get behind like that."
K333333LSEY PLUM! 🎯 That's her SIXTH three of the night! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommissionersCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommissionersCup</a> Championship presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/coinbase?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coinbase</a> <a href="https://t.co/E8mw6MzOJ2">pic.twitter.com/E8mw6MzOJ2</a>
—@WNBAChicago and Las Vegas finished as the top teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences with 9-1 records in the Commissioner's Cup in-season tournament. The Sky (21-7) and Aces (20-8) also are 1-2 in the WNBA regular season standings and have secured playoff spots.
Commissioner's Cup a 'measuring stick'
Seattle won the inaugural Commissioner's Cup last year. The championship game doesn't count toward regular-season standings, but coaches and players of both teams said it's a springboard for their stretch runs and a "measuring stick" against another top team with plenty on the line.
Members of the Aces earned in excess of $30,000 US per player, while those on the Sky earned $10,000 per player. Gray won an extra $5,000 as MVP of the championship game.
The Commissioner Cup winner's organization will get a total of $28,500 and the championships game loser's group will get $23,500.
The Aces selected ACLU of Nevada and are one of three WNBA teams to partner with a local ACLU chapter. The Sky chose My Block, My Hood, My City, a grassroots Chicago non-profit that mentors underprivileged youth through educational programs primarily on the city's South and West Sides.
The Aces blitzed the Sky early, racing ahead 13-0 just 1:55 in and building a 33-14 lead after one quarter and stretching the advantage to 23 points early in the second.
The Sky mounted a run late in the second quarter to close within 12 points — and a crowd of 8,922 at Wintrust Arena rose to its feet. Still, Las Vegas lead 48-34 at the half on 53 per cent shooting.
The Sky tightened its coverage in the third quarter a closed the gap to seven points before Plum hit a 3 in the final seconds to make it 70-60.
