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A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are showing signs of returning to form.

The Chicago Sky are sliding.

The two-time defending champion Aces (20-12) host the Sky (11-21) on Tuesday night.

Wilson has scored more than 40 points in two of the past three games, including 41 in a 97-79 victory in Phoenix on Sunday. That gave Las Vegas consecutive victories for the first time since returning from the Olympic break. Wilson scored a season-high 42 points in a loss to Dallas five days earlier.

But it has been the defense that has most pleased head coach Becky Hammon as the Aces, who defeated visiting Atlanta 83-72 on Friday, have moved into sole possession of fourth place, one game ahead of the Seattle Storm.

“That’s two really good defensive efforts in a row for us,” Hammon said. “That’s really what we’re looking for — that consistent effort on the defensive end because we know that defense is the one thing that can always travel with you. It’s something I’ve really challenged them on.

“They’re really digging in at the end of the day and playing that end of the floor. We know what the deal is. Our defense has to give us a chance to win games, and I think they’ve been really good at locking in possession by possession these last two games.”

Las Vegas has clinched a playoff berth and is focused on improving its seeding while Chicago is battling to get the final playoff spot after losing six straight games. The Sky are in eighth place and have the same record as Atlanta entering Tuesday, but lead the season series 2-1.

“We’re still in (the playoffs),” Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said after a 79-74 loss at Minnesota on Sunday. “We still got to believe that we can make it, that we can do the right things to keep our heads above water. We want to be in the playoffs, and there’s things we have to do to get there.”

Chicago has played the past three games without leading scorer Chennedy Carter, who is in health and safety protocols. Her status for the game Tuesday is undetermined.

In her absence, rookies Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese have continued to lead the way. Cardoso had a career-high 22 points along with nine rebounds against Minnesota. Reese broke Sylvia Fowles’ WNBA single-season rebounding record.

–Field Level Media