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

By DOUG FEINBERG

Las Vegas and Chicago will meet up with in the next yearly Commissioner’s Cup championship recreation subsequent month.

The in-time title game will be played at the home of the team with the improved history — which correct now is Las Vegas. The Aces can clinch the residence match with a acquire above Chicago on Tuesday evening. The initially tie-breaker is head-to-head matchups and Las Vegas gained the initial meeting concerning the teams.

Seattle received the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup previous season with the championship sport performed in Phoenix on a neutral court docket.

The WNBA additional a charitable element to the opposition this year with groups earning money for every single earn they get in the 10 conference game titles they enjoy.

“It’s good that they have additional that this 12 months,” Chicago forward Candace Parker mentioned. “It provides a new wrinkle and any time you can make revenue for a charity it truly is fantastic.”

Gamers will when once again contend for a $500,000 prize pool in the title game, with just about every member of the profitable staff acquiring $30,000 and the runner-ups earning $10,000 per player.

“I do adore that there is more incentive for the players,” Aces coach Becky Hammon stated earlier this thirty day period. “Anytime the league can throw a small bit of further funds the players’ way, I’m all for it.”

Hammon’s Aces also nonetheless lead the AP WNBA electric power poll.

Electrical power POLL

This week’s WNBA poll:

1. Las Vegas (13-2): The Aces have won four straight and these days have been obtaining dominating initiatives from A’ja Wilson. She averaged 25 details, 6.5 rebounds and 3 blocks very last 7 days.

2. Connecticut (12-5): The Sunlight are getting powerful engage in off the bench from Brionna Jones, who is averaging 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds.

3. Chicago (10-5): Parker has skipped the earlier two video games with a knee injuries and the Sky will perform a few online games this 7 days.

4. Washington (11-7): When Elena Delle Donne is on the courtroom the Mystics have been just one of the best teams in the league going 8-3. Devoid of her in the lineup the group is just 3-4 and struggles offensively. Delle Donne has been getting video games off to relaxation following lacking last year following back again surgery.

5. Seattle (10-6): The Storm finished their street vacation 4-1 and received solid enjoy from Gabby Williams, who will be crucial to their good results this season if she carries on to get some of the scoring stress off Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd.

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

7. Phoenix (6-10): A terrific week by Tina Charles, who averaged 25 details, was not enough to get the Mercury extra than just one victory as they misplaced two of 3 online games. Phoenix will need to have persistently solid attempts from Charles, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi to get on a profitable streak with three game titles this 7 days.

8. Atlanta (7-8): A challenging highway journey remaining the Dream winless in their final four online games, but now they return property to consider and get on a roll once more.

9. New York (6-10): The Liberty have gotten a huge strengthen from French guard Maritime Johannes. Her enjoy has taken some of the scoring stress off Sabrina Ionescu. Johannes experienced a vocation-significant 23 factors in a decline to Seattle on Sunday. New York plays two road online games this 7 days, a single in Connecticut and yet another at Atlanta.

10. Los Angeles (5-9): Right after a light 7 days with just 1 match, the Sparks will have a few contests this week. With the apply time they have had the Sparks hope they have corrected their defensive woes. The Sparks are second to final in the league letting 87.6 details a activity.

11. Indiana (5-13): The Fever are set to embark on a 4-match trip Indiana is just 2-6 on the highway this season.

12. Minnesota (3-13): The Lynx have lost 5 straight online games but they have been competitive. They endured a 1-point loss to Las Vegas and a 2-place setback towards Seattle. Jessica Shepard has been a vibrant location for Minnesota, which is however without having Sylvia Fowles (knee injury).

Participant OF THE Week

A’ja Wilson of Las Vegas was voted the AP Player of the Week. Wilson shot 61% from the industry final week as nicely as making all 15 of her free of charge throw attempts and four 3-pointers. Ogunbowale of Dallas, Kahleah Copper of Chicago, Jonquel Jones of Connecticut and Stewart of Seattle also been given votes.

SO Extensive SUE

Sue Hen declared final 7 days that she’ll retire right after the time ends. She performed her final frequent-year match in New York on Sunday and now returns property to Seattle for the initially time after the Storm completed off a five-activity street journey. Chicken performed her complete 21-year profession in Seattle.

Sport OF THE Week:

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

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