A’ja Wilson wasn’t happy with the officiating in the first half of the Las Vegas Aces’ narrow win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday.
Wilson expressed her disappointment after a rough start to the game, going 3-for-13 from the field in the first two quarters.
In her halftime interview, with the Aces up 32-30, Wilson didn’t mince words about the referees and their calls during the game.
She wasn’t afraid to express her feelings and went off on the officiating. She wasn’t scared of any potential fines coming her way from the league office.
“Everyone has to do their jobs, from players to the refs to the coaches. We have to do our job,
and I don’t appreciate being looked at or stared at as if you’re trying to intimidate me or act like I don’t have a voice on this court.
So, yes, we are messing up defensively, and it’s like we’re not engaged,” Wilson said.
The two-time MVP added:
“If we need to get engaged, that’s on us. But also, it goes hand-and-hand, and that’s it. If I get fined for this, I am terribly sorry, but it’s ridiculous. We’ve been going through this all season, so everybody got to their job.”
It was a horrible first half for both teams, shooting terribly, and the officiating didn’t help. Nevertheless, A’ja Wilson did her best to send a message, not just to her team but also to the officials.
The second half was more exciting and went more smoothly than the first two quarters of the game. It came down to the final bucket, which the Las Vegas Aces made at the buzzer.
A’ja Wilson hits game-winner to sink the Chicago Sky
A’ja Wilson was still struggling in the second half, going 5-for-15 in the third and fourth quarters. She finished with 20 points, 18 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. She also made the most important basket of the game to give the Las Vegas Aces a 77-75 win over the Chicago Sky.
Chennedy Carter tied the game at 75 apiece with a 3-point shot with 1.1 seconds left. The Aces called a timeout, and coach Becky Hammon drew up a great play for the best player in the world.
Chelsea Gray inbounded the ball, with Kelsey Plum setting a great screen on Angel Reese, who was the primary defender. It freed up A’ja Wilson, who caught the lob from Gray for the alley-oop finish at the buzzer to give the Aces a two-point victory.
The Aces snapped a two-game skid as they visit the Dallas Wings on Tuesday, while the Sky are now on a three-game losing streak before hosting the Washington Mystics on Wednesday.
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Source: Tampa Bay Times