Chicago Sky’s Shocking Last-Second Win vs. Las Vegas Aces: Full Highlights, Standout Stats & Playoff Impact

The Chicago Sky’s first week of the 2025 WNBA season has delivered a dramatic mix of on-court frustration and off-court headlines, setting an urgent tone for the franchise’s milestone 20th anniversary campaign. After dropping to 0-3 with Sunday’s 91-78 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, rookie forward Angel Reese called the start “tough, but fixable,” stressing that the Sky “have too much talent to stay in this hole” and pointing to defensive lapses in late quarters as the common thread in every defeat. Head coach Tyler Marsh said the club is experimenting with quicker lineups built around Reese’s energy and Elizabeth Williams’ rim protection as it prepares for Tuesday night’s road test against the Phoenix Mercury. Meanwhile, the WNBA concluded an investigation into allegations that Indiana Fever fans hurled racist comments at Sky players during last Friday’s meeting at Wintrust Arena. League officials reported they could not substantiate the claims after interviewing arena security staff and reviewing available footage, but vowed to “continue monitoring fan conduct protocols throughout the season”. Reese declined to comment directly, saying only that she remains focused on “controlling what happens between the baselines.” The swirl of controversy arrives as Chicago launches a year-long 20th Season Celebration that will feature throwback jersey nights, appearances by franchise legends such as Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot, and a new “Sky High Impact” community service initiative targeting youth basketball on the South and West sides. Team president Adam Fox noted that single-game ticket interest is already up 27 percent year over year, driven largely by the arrival of Reese and fellow first-round pick Leïla Lacoulle. On the court, the Sky’s early stumbles stem largely from slow starts: opponents have outscored Chicago by a combined 27 points in first quarters. Marsh emphasized tighter pick-and-roll coverage and more paint touches for veteran guard Marina Mabrey, whose 14.3-point average leads the roster but comes on just 38 percent shooting. “We want Marina attacking downhill to free up Angel on the glass,” Marsh said after Monday’s film session. The upcoming schedule offers little relief. After Tuesday’s clash with Phoenix, Chicago travels to Las Vegas to face the defending champion Aces before returning home Saturday for a rematch with rookie phenomenon Caitlin Clark and the Fever, the same matchup that produced last week’s crowd-behavior controversy. The team insists the narrative is still in its control: “If we grab that first win, the mood changes fast,” Williams said. Key storylines to watch this week: • Reese vs. Brittney Griner in the Valley: how the rookie handles the Mercury’s veteran post presence could dictate the Sky’s pace. • Bench production: Dana Evans and Isabelle Harrison have combined for only 11 points through three games; a breakout is overdue. • 20th-season giveaways: the first 5,000 fans at Saturday’s Fever game receive commemorative Parker-era rally towels, part of a broader push to fill Wintrust Arena. Fans looking to ride the roller-coaster can stream Tuesday’s game on Prime Video (8 p.m. CT) and follow live updates on the team’s official X feed @chicagosky. If early adversity truly forges late-season resilience, the 2025 Chicago Sky may prove that a rocky opening week can still pave the runway for a celebratory takeoff.