The WNBA action on Tuesday, July 16 will see two teams fighting for playoff position as the Las Vegas Aces welcome the Chicago Sky to Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
The game is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on Prime Video. Fans looking to watch this WNBA game can do so for free by signing up for a free 30-day trial through Prime Video.
A’ja Wilson has established herself as the MVP favorite this season by tallying 27.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.8 steals per game. Since the return of Chelsea Gray, the Aces have jumped in the standings, and now at 16-7, they hold the third-best record in the league and the best record in the Western Conference. Wilson and Gray are going to be joining Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young at the Olympics and All-Star Game.
The Sky are holding on to eighth in the standings and the final playoff spot with a 9-14 record. Rookie Angel Reese will represent the squad at the All-Star Game after setting a league record with 15 consecutive double-doubles, a streak that was broken Chicago’s last time on the court: an 81-67 loss to the New York Liberty. If the Sky are going to upset the Aces who previously defeated them 95-83, they will likely need big games from leading scorers Chennedy Carter and Marina Mabrey.
Who: Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces
When: Tuesday, July 16 at 10 p.m. EST
Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas
Stream: Prime Video
Tickets: StubHub, *VividSeats* and SeatGeek
- New customers who purchase tickets through VividSeats can get $20 off a $200+ ticket order by using the promo code MassLive20 at checkout.*
Gear: Shop around for jerseys, shirts, hats, hoodies and more at Fanatics.com. Fanatics also has a sportsbook. Sports Betting Promos:
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WNBA heads to Olympic break with big All-Star weekend, showdown between US team and league standouts
By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA heads into its monthlong Olympic break following this weekend’s highly anticipated All-Star festivities.
The Olympic team’s matchup with Team WNBA featuring Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will be one of the toughest games the American squad will potentially play over the month.
In 2021, the WNBA All-Star team beat Team USA behind the MVP performance of Arike Ogunbowale. It was the only loss the Americans had en route to winning their seventh straight gold medal.
“We will not forget that,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said of the loss in 2021. “We will see what we can do, given the challenges of time. They don’t have time together either. There’s a lot of talent over there and it should be an incredible game.”
Ogunbowale is back for this year’s All-Star Game as well as Jonquel Jones. Both played on that winning team in 2021. Jones remembered there was a tone before the game from the All-Stars that was different than other exhibition contests.
“It felt more serious at the start like we’re going to go win this,” Jones said. “It definitely had more of that real game at the beginning of the game versus that fun you expect to see at All-Star.”
The weekend could have more intrigue to it if Clark and defending 3-point champion Sabrina Ionescu enter Friday night’s skills competition. The league hasn’t announced the participants yet.
Ionescu, who set a record in the contest last year hitting 20 straight shots en route to scoring 37 of a possible 40 points, said she hasn’t decided yet whether she’ll compete.
“First off, I have a lot going on. The one I had at the WNBA All-Star, not sure I’m ever going to top that,” she said. “That’s one of those moments in sports where you are like I can’t believe that happened. Every time I see that video it brings me back to that time.”
AP WNBA poll
New York remains in the top spot in this week’s AP WNBA power poll with Las Vegas moving back into second. Connecticut, Seattle, Minnesota and Indiana were the next four. Phoenix and Chicago were seventh and eighth. Washington and Los Angeles followed. Atlanta and Dallas rounded out the poll. Each team has one game left before break.
Caitlin corner
Clark’s streak of double-figure assists ended at five, but the Indiana Fever still beat the Minnesota Lynx for their fourth win in the past six games. Clark now leads the league in assists per game at 7.8. Before the All-Star weekend festivities, the Fever close out the first part of the season in Dallas on Wednesday.
Rookie watch
Rickea Jackson continues her strong play with Los Angeles. She had a season-best 23 points in the Sparks’ 87-81 win over Dallas on Saturday. Jackson is averaging 11.2 points while shooting nearly 46% from the field this season.
Player of the week
A’ja Wilson earned AP Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week. The Aces forward continued her dominating play as she averaged 28.3 points, 18.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks to help Las Vegas go 3-0. Sabrina Ionescu of New York also received votes.
Game of the week
U.S. Olympic team vs WNBA All-Stars, Saturday.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
