Anticipated Sky-Aces matchup comes a year later, under different circumstances

The Sky’s Kahleah Copper guards the Aces’ Chelsea Gray in July. (Erin Hooley/AP)

LAS VEGAS — Last year, a potential Sky-Aces playoff series was highly anticipated.

In pursuit of back-to-back titles, the Sky finished the regular season tied for the best record in the league. Eventual MVP winner A’ja Wilson led the Aces’ freight train of a team toward their first title. It was a marquee matchup waiting to happen.