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The Las Vegas Aces defeated the Chicago Sky on Sunday, 77-75. A’ja Wilson played a big part in that matchup, piling up 20 points to go along with 18 rebounds.
That included the game-winning shot as time expired, with Wilson’s final layup breaking a late tie. She did what Angel Reese can’t – finished at the rim!
With the score locked up at 75-75 in the fourth quarter, Las Vegas prepared to inbound for its final play. Head coach Becky Hammon drew up a game-winning call designed for her best player, and it worked to perfection.
A’JA WILSONNNNNN 🗣️🗣️🗣️@_ajawilson22 // #ALLINLV pic.twitter.com/cdU5K3Jg3o
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 25, 2024
The inbounder lofted a great entry pass to Wilson in the paint, which she quickly laid into the hoop before the final second ticked from the clock.
She was the beneficiary of a fantastic screen from teammate Kelsey Plum, who boxed out Angel Reese and another Sky player down low. With Wilson freed up, the finish was easy!
A’ja Wilson did what Angel Reese couldn’t!
Reese has solidified her candidacy in the Rookie of the Year race this season with a solid output in her debut season. That said, some believe her stats to be skewed by poor shooting around the rim.
Reese is averaging a double-double this year with 13.6 points and 12.6 boards a night. She did it again on Sunday with a ridiculous 22-rebound performance to go along with 11 points.
Those 11 points came on just 4-of-16 shooting, however, and included one terrible wide-open miss on her lone three-point attempt.
Simply put, the rookie struggles to get the ball through the net, which often leads to second… and third, and fourth… chances in the paint.
Reese had 10 offensive rebounds in the loss, many of which came on her own misses.
Angel Reese with 4 offensive rebounds on 1 possession is INSANE pic.twitter.com/mA5bNxF0mD
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) August 25, 2024
She continues to benefit statistically from her inability to finish at the rim, using a less than 39% shooting rate to buoy her rebound totals.
It was the case again versus Las Vegas! She might learn a thing or two from Wilson.