NaLyssa Smith delivered a dominant performance and the Las Vegas Aces survived a fierce challenge from the Chicago Sky, pulling away in overtime for a 98-90 victory at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 3, 2026.
Smith was the unquestioned engine of the Aces’ offense, finishing with a game-high 29 points and 8 rebounds to pace Las Vegas through a contest that required extra time to decide. Chelsea Gray orchestrated the Aces’ attack with poise, distributing 6 assists to keep the offense flowing and create opportunities for teammates when Chicago’s defense tightened in the fourth quarter and beyond.
For the Sky, Skylar Diggins led the charge with 19 points, providing Chicago with a consistent scoring threat that kept the visitors competitive deep into regulation. Natasha Cloud ran the offense with 5 assists, while center Kamilla Cardoso was a force on the glass, hauling in a team-high 10 rebounds to give Chicago second-chance opportunities throughout the night.
The game was a hard-fought battle that neither team could put away in regulation, forcing overtime at T-Mobile Arena. The Aces ultimately found another gear in the extra period, outscoring Chicago to secure the eight-point final margin. Smith’s scoring and rebounding proved to be the difference, as Las Vegas leaned on her interior presence when the game was on the line.
Chicago’s shooting struggles were a significant factor in their inability to close out the game. The Sky connected on just 28 of 65 field goal attempts, a 43 percent clip that left points on the table throughout the evening. From beyond the arc, Chicago went 7-for-20, a 35 percent mark that was serviceable but not enough to overcome Las Vegas’s overall efficiency. The Sky did get to the free-throw line frequently, converting 27 of 31 attempts at an 87 percent rate, which kept them within striking distance for much of the contest.
Turnovers proved costly for Chicago, as the Sky surrendered the ball 18 times over the course of the game. Those miscues gave the Aces extra possessions and helped fuel Las Vegas’s ability to stay ahead in a game that was otherwise tightly contested. Chicago’s 32 total rebounds and 20 assists reflected a team that competed hard and moved the ball, but the turnover differential and shooting inefficiency from the floor ultimately undermined their effort.
The Aces’ ability to weather Chicago’s pressure — the Sky recorded 8 steals and 4 blocks — and still find a way to win in overtime speaks to the resilience of the Las Vegas roster. With Smith playing at an elite level and Gray directing traffic, the Aces showed they have the depth and composure to grind out wins even when opponents make it uncomfortable.
The victory keeps Las Vegas in strong form heading deeper into the 2026 WNBA season, while Chicago will need to address its turnover issues if it hopes to compete for wins against the league’s top teams.
