Dearica Hamby’s near halfcourt shot lifts Aces into WNBA semifinals
Dearica Hamby Hits Game-Winner in Las Vegas Aces Playoff Win (Cassie Soto/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Updated September 15, 2019 - 8:11 pm

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) makes a late-game three-point-shot over the Chicago Sky to help win the game during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) tosses a pass to center Liz Cambage (8) over the Chicago Sky defenders during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8) shoots over Chicago Sky center Astou Ndour (45) during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) is pumped after scoring again over the Chicago Sky defenders during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Fans go crazy after Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) makes a late-game three-point-shot over the Chicago Sky to help win the game during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Teammates congratulate Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) after making a late-game three-point-shot over the Chicago Sky to help win the game during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage, right, and forward Dearica Hamby, left, celebrate their 93-92 victory against the Chicago Sky during their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5)is overcome with emotion following their win over the Chicago Sky 93-92 during their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) is overcome with emotion following their win over the Chicago Sky 93-92 during their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) is excited by her late-game shot following their win over the Chicago Sky 93-92 during their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8) prepares for the Chicago Sky before the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer calls another play as they battle the Chicago Sky in the first half during their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Houston Rockets player James Harden, right, enjoys the game with a companion as the Las Vegas Aces battle the Chicago Sky during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) readies to lay the ball in over the Chicago Sky during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Chicago Sky center Astou Ndour (45) is defended well by Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8) during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Chicago Sky head coach James Wade has a foul shot rule explained to him and his players by a referee versus the Las Vegas Aces during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8) blocks a shot attempt by Chicago Sky forward Cheyenne Parker (32) during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields (1) has a shot attempt blocked by Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8) during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces fans cheer hard during a timeout versus the Chicago Sky in the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8, right) flexes as her teammates pile up celebrating the victory over the Chicago Sky 93-92 after their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Tamera Young (1, left) looks center Liz Cambage (8, right) as teammates celebrate their victory over the Chicago Sky 93-92 after their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

(From left) Las Vegas Aces center Carolyn Swords (4), Sydney Colson (51) and guard Sugar Rodgers (14) pray together prior to the first half of their WNBA playoff game versus the Chicago Sky at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces fans are given basketballs by players prior to the first half of their WNBA playoff game versus the Chicago Sky at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer talks up his players in a huddle during a timeout as they battle the Chicago Sky in the first half during their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) battles inside for a lay up past Chicago Sky center Astou Ndour (45) during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) battles inside for a shot over Chicago Sky center Astou Ndour (45) during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) rolls on the ground in celebration after a big shot over the Chicago Sky defenders during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10, left) reacts to a hard shot from Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper (2, behind) and teammate center Stefanie Dolson (31, right) during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8, above) looks to get off a shot over the defense of Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson (31) during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

A Las Vegas Aces fan imitates the reaction of a Chicago Sky player in the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8) is pumped as her team goes up late on the Chicago Sky during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) is pumped after scoring again over the Chicago Sky defenders during the first half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Las Vegas Aces center Liz Cambage (8, above) looks to get off a shot over the defense of Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson (31) during the second half of their WNBA playoff game at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, Sept.15, 2019 in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Aces forward Dearica Hamby prepped Saturday for her moment of glory by making a half-court shot at the Thomas & Mack Center during a shooting contest and won $100 from coach Bill Laimbeer.
“Practice,” she said with a grin, a crisp $100 bill in hand.
For the one she made Sunday afternoon.
The one that triggered a wild celebration from an announced crowd of 7,981 at the Thomas & Mack Center — and propelled the Aces into the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.
Hamby intercepted an errant pass from Courtney Vandersloot and buried a 3-pointer from a step inside half court with five seconds remaining during a 93-92 victory over the Chicago Sky in their second-round matchup. Astou Ndour missed the potential game-winning 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, and the Aces stormed the court and rushed Hamby in jubilant celebration.
“I was obviously in shock,” said Hamby, who said she didn’t know how much time was left when she made her miraculous 3-pointer. “I almost fainted. I’m still in disbelief.”
But it happened, and the Aces will play the top-seeded Washington Mystics in a best-of-five series for a berth in the WNBA Finals.
Play begins Tuesday in Washington.
“(She) executed the play I drew up,” Las Vegas coach Bill Laimbeer joked. “The most important thing for me this year was to get to this round. We knew we were going to make the playoffs. I also knew when the playoffs begin that we could get beat by anybody.
”… This win is a great moment for the franchise. We’ve done everything right over the last two years. This kind of moment tops it off, but we’re not done.”
The Aces earned the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2014 by finishing the regular season with a 21-13 record, and played Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center because of a scheduling conflict at their home arena, Mandalay Bay Events Center. Players were eager to play throughout the week, and Laimbeer penned a letter to the community, urging people to show up Sunday — and promising a fun atmosphere for those in attendance.
Las Vegas and Chicago made good on his promise, trading basket after basket for the better part of 40 minutes.
The Aces twice overcame double-figure deficits, thanks to steady performances from Liz Cambage, who had 23 points and 17 rebounds. And Kayla McBride, who scored 16. And Kelsey Plum, who had 15 points. And Hamby, who scored 17.
But the Sky boasted four double-figure scorers, too, and played with pace and poise to hold a 92-90 advantage — and the ball — with 14.6 seconds remaining in regulation. All they had to do was take care of the ball, maybe make a couple of free throws and secure one final stop.
Plum pressured Vandersloot after a timeout in an effort to foul. And Vandersloot, perhaps the league’s most cerebral point guard, evaded Plum — dribbling away the final seconds of the Aces’ season before delivering an errant pass.
A laser down the sideline. Just off target enough for Hamby to intercept.
“It gave me March Madness vibes. It gave me those college vibes, where anything can happen and you can’t let up,” Aces forward A’ja Wilson said. “We fed off the crowd. We fed off one another. That’s the beauty of it all.”
More Aces: Follow at reviewjournal.com/aces and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.
Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.
WNBA semifinals
Best-of-five, All PDT
No. 1 Washington vs. No. 4 Aces
Tuesday: at Washington, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: at Washington, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: at Aces, 2 p.m.
x-Sept. 24: at Las Vegas, 5:30 or 6 p.m.
x-Sept. 26: at Washington, 5 or 5:30 p.m.
Connecticut vs. Los Angeles
Tuesday: at Connecticut, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday: at Connecticut, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday: at Los Angeles, 4 p.m.
x-Sept. 24: at Los Angeles, 6 or 7:30 p.m.
x-Sept. 26: at Connecticut, 3:30 or 5 p.m.