What happened: Chennedy Carter is putting her acceleration on display in the early going of Friday night's game between Chicago and Las Vegas, getting downhill and pressuring the rim off the dribble. Las Vegas leads 14-5 in the opening stretch, with the game still in progress.
Why it matters: Carter's rim pressure has been a growing storyline — Las Vegas has leaned into her rising role in recent weeks. Every possession she creates at the rim matters in a matchup between a 15-7 Las Vegas team and a 6-15 Chicago side trying to flip a lopsided season series.
By the numbers: Las Vegas entered the night 15-7, averaging 90.3 points per game while allowing 87.0. Chicago came in 6-15, scoring 86.9 and allowing 90.3. In the most recent head-to-head meeting on June 28, Las Vegas won 107-99 in Chicago.
What to watch: Watch whether Carter keeps generating paint pressure as the game unfolds and whether Chicago can climb back from the early deficit.