Aces and Sky clinch spots in Commissioner’s Cup title game

Las Vegas and Chicago will meet up with in the second once-a-year Commissioner’s Cup championship activity future month.

The in-period title recreation will be played at the household of the staff with the much better history — which proper now is Las Vegas. The Aces unsuccessful to clinch the house game, blowing a document 28-level direct versus Chicago on Tuesday night. The teams have split their two meetings this year.

The next tie-breaker is point differential in cup game titles, and the Aces are up 32 factors on Chicago in that stat with two online games to play.

Seattle received the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup final season with the championship match performed in Phoenix on a neutral courtroom.


The WNBA added a charitable component to the competitors this year with teams earning money for each individual earn they get in the 10 conference video games they engage in.

“It’s wonderful that they have additional that this calendar year,” Chicago ahead Candace Parker mentioned. “It adds a new wrinkle and any time you can make income for a charity it truly is fantastic.”

Players will at the time yet again compete for a $500,000 prize pool in the title activity, with each individual member of the profitable crew obtaining $30,000 and the runner-ups earning $10,000 for each participant.

“I do like that there is more incentive for the players,” Aces coach Becky Hammon reported before this month. “Anytime the league can throw a small little bit of extra cash the players’ way, I’m all for it.”

Hammon’s Aces also even now direct the AP WNBA electric power poll.

Electrical power POLL

This week’s WNBA poll:

1. Las Vegas (13-2): The Aces have gained 4 straight and recently have been getting dominating attempts from A’ja Wilson. She averaged 25 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 blocks very last week.

2. Connecticut (12-5): The Solar are obtaining robust participate in off the bench from Brionna Jones, who is averaging 14.3 factors and 5.2 rebounds.

3. Chicago (10-5): Parker has missed the past two game titles with a knee injuries and the Sky will engage in three video games this week.

4. Washington (11-7): When Elena Delle Donne is on the court docket the Mystics have been just one of the finest groups in the league heading 8-3. With out her in the lineup the group is just 3-4 and struggles offensively. Delle Donne has been getting games off to rest just after lacking final period adhering to again surgery.

5. Seattle (10-6): The Storm finished their street journey 4-1 and got good enjoy from Gabby Williams, who will be important to their good results this year if she proceeds to acquire some of the scoring strain off Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd.

6. Dallas (8-8): Arike Ogunbowale these days has lifted her activity, averaging 25.5 points, 5 rebounds and 4.5 helps to enable the Wings gain two of a few.

7. Phoenix (6-10): A excellent week by Tina Charles, who averaged 25 points, wasn’t enough to get the Mercury more than 1 victory as they dropped two of a few games. Phoenix will need to have persistently robust attempts from Charles, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi to get on a successful streak with a few games this 7 days.

8. Atlanta (7-8): A tough street vacation remaining the Desire winless in their past 4 video games, but now they return dwelling to consider and get on a roll once again.

9. New York (6-10): The Liberty have gotten a large raise from French guard Maritime Johannes. Her perform has taken some of the scoring tension off Sabrina Ionescu. Johannes experienced a job-high 23 points in a loss to Seattle on Sunday. New York performs two street game titles this week, 1 in Connecticut and an additional at Atlanta.

10. Los Angeles (5-9): Right after a gentle 7 days with just 1 video game, the Sparks will have a few contests this week. With the apply time they’ve had the Sparks hope they have corrected their defensive woes. The Sparks are 2nd to very last in the league allowing for 87.6 points a recreation.

11. Indiana (5-13): The Fever are set to embark on a four-activity vacation Indiana is just 2-6 on the road this season.

12. Minnesota (3-13): The Lynx have lost 5 straight video games but they have been competitive. They experienced a 1-place decline to Las Vegas and a 2-place setback in opposition to Seattle. Jessica Shepard has been a dazzling place for Minnesota, which is nonetheless devoid of Sylvia Fowles (knee damage).

Participant OF THE 7 days

A’ja Wilson of Las Vegas was voted the AP Player of the 7 days. Wilson shot 61% from the field final week as effectively as earning all 15 of her totally free throw tries and four 3-pointers. Ogunbowale of Dallas, Kahleah Copper of Chicago, Jonquel Jones of Connecticut and Stewart of Seattle also obtained votes.

SO Long SUE

Sue Chook announced very last 7 days that she’ll retire after the year finishes. She performed her past regular-season activity in New York on Sunday and now returns household to Seattle for the first time just after the Storm finished off a 5-activity highway journey. Bird performed her full 21-calendar year occupation in Seattle.

Match OF THE 7 days:

Mystics at Aces, Saturday. Washington handed Las Vegas just one of two losses this year and the Aces will look to avenge that defeat.

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Extra AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports