My First WNBA Game: Aces vs. Sky Recap
My wife and I attended our first-ever WNBA game — the Las Vegas Aces vs. the Chicago Sky. Here’s my full breakdown of the game, the atmosphere, and what stood out.
The Atmosphere
The crowd was amazing from the moment we got there — a genuinely electric environment. Early on, the Aces looked like the better team, and A’ja Wilson was a huge reason why.
A’ja Wilson Dominated
A’ja finished with 36 points and was essentially unstoppable. Chicago didn’t have anyone who could match her offensive output. Jackie Young added 18 points, but Chelsea Gray was off her game.
One stat that stood out: A’ja scored her 36 points in just 34 minutes. With the WNBA’s 10-minute quarters (five minutes shorter than the NBA), that’s an even more impressive workload.
Chennedy Carter Deserves More Run
I’ll say it — Chennedy Carter is a flat-out star. She can give any team 15–18 points off the bench. My concern for the Aces heading into the playoffs: when their guards (Jackie, Chelsea) are off and it’s just A’ja producing, they don’t have enough secondary scoring. I’m not sure if a trade is coming, but with Kelsey Plum (a 20+ point scorer) now in Phoenix, that depth question looms larger.
Kamilla Cardoso’s Rough Night
Kamilla Cardoso struggled offensively, finishing with just 8 points and spending a good chunk of the game in foul trouble. Still, she showed up on defense — key blocks and 12 rebounds — even if she wasn’t as productive as usual on offense.
Sydney Taylor Was the Story of the Game
Sydney Taylor is a phenomenal player — I had no idea she went undrafted, given how many teams passed on her. She finished with 29 points in just 30 minutes, and it was pretty much a duel between her and A’ja Wilson down the stretch.
In fact, I posted a clip celebrating what I thought was A’ja’s game-winning shot — only to find out later that Sydney answered right back with a game-winning step-back three. Got a little ahead of myself there.
Underrated Defense: DiJonai Carrington
DiJonai Carrington was excellent defensively — the kind of impact that doesn’t always show up in the box score. She was heavily involved in containing both Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Her per-game point total doesn’t tell the full story of how much she contributed.
NaLyssa Smith Was Everywhere
On the Aces’ side, NaLyssa Smith made a strong impact too — 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals — but like Carrington, her value showed up in her all-around presence on the floor, not just scoring.
The Officiating
One thing that bothered me: the foul calls felt lopsided. A’ja got to the line often — which happens with star players — but by the end it felt like it was affecting the outcome. Fans around me noticed it too.
A Sharp Observation from Our Waiter
After the game, we went to a restaurant, and our waiter made a great point: A’ja Wilson is left-handed, so why did Cardoso keep letting her drive to her dominant hand instead of forcing her right? That’s a coaching adjustment — force the star to her weaker side. Smart callout.
Why I Love the WNBA
This game reinforced everything I already loved about the league:
• More defensive commitment — it’s not just iso-ball
• More ball movement and post play — actual sets and team basketball
• A more engaged crowd and sharper in-game coaching adjustments
My wife made a great point afterward, and I agree: the WNBA’s regular season is more entertaining than the NBA’s. Most NBA fans only tune in for the playoffs — the WNBA doesn’t have that problem.
Other Notes
• Becky Hammon continues to prove she’s an elite coach, full stop — not just “elite for the WNBA.”
• Chicago has real long-term upside with Sydney Taylor and DiJonai Carrington as building blocks, assuming Skylar Diggins and Rachel Banham are healthy and available going forward.
• Spotted Brandon Marshall courtside, supporting the team.
• I noticed the broadcast crew’s setup courtside — multiple monitors, replays, live graphics — an impressive multitasking operation to watch up close.
Overall: incredible first WNBA experience, and I’ll definitely be back for more games.