Late-game collapse pushes Storm to brink of elimination
Seattle blows a 4-point lead with 11 seconds to go in devastating loss.
(Seattle, WA) - The Las Vegas Aces are an absolute juggernaut and in order for the Storm to overcome them, they have to be nearly perfect. Unfortunately, at the end of regulation, they were far from it. Seattle made multiple mistakes to close out the 4th quarter. It cost them Game 3 and it may have cost them the series. Trailing by four points with 11 seconds to play, the Aces managed to score seven points in that time to send the game to overtime. Once the game went to OT the Storm appeared to be so shell-shocked by what had happened at the end of regulation that they were completely dominated during the extra period. When it was all said and done the Aces stole Game 3 by a final score of 110-98.
“We were up four with not a lot of time left and that’s where we lost the game. Letting them take the lead. They scored what five points in 3 seconds? That to me is where we really let this one go. I understand the last plays are going to stick out because they’re dramatic and they’re exciting. I’m sure it was great TV but we were up four…” Sue Bird said in dismay after the game.
“It was really frustrating. We had the game and we gave it to them.” Stewart added.
Unlike every other game this season, Coach Quinn did not have an opening statement after the game. To her credit, she did answer the questions asked to her by the media during the post-game press conference and took the blame for the team’s poor performance at the end.
“We talked about it. I just looked at some clips. It was tough to get there, to execute that (foul at the end of the game). It’s on me. I’ll take it on the head. All of what happened at the end of the game. All of our execution that falls on me.” Quinn told the media.
Seattle wasted the team’s best overall offensive performance (in this series) from several of their players. They finally got strong contributions from more than just Breanna Stewart and one other individual. Six Storm players scored in double figures as Stewart led the way with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists. Jewell Loyd and Sue Bird each scored 17 points. Bird nearly had a double-double as she had a team-high eight assists. Tina Charles added 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists but scored just three points in the 2nd half. Stephanie Talbot (12) and Ezi Mabegor (10) combined for 22 points off the bench. Magbegor scored eight of her 10 points in the first half and Talbot closed the game strong scoring all 12 of her points in the 4th quarter.
The Las Vegas Aces
What can really be said that hasn’t been said already? As a team, the Las Vegas Aces look like they are on a mission. The WNBA’s best team of the regular season continues to impress in the postseason. They are so talented and despite their lack of depth, they have proven they don’t need it because the players they do use are playing at such a high level. And writing that feels like an understatement. What Chelsea Gray has done in the playoffs is practically unthinkable. Players shouldn’t be THIS good. Gray, who was not on the Aces when these two teams faced off in the 2020 WNBA Finals, has been the biggest thorn in Seattle’s side. No matter who Seattle puts on her, whether it’s 2nd-team ALL-DEFENSE Gabby Williams or above-average defenders Stephanie Talbot or Jewell Loyd. None of them have been able to stop her or even really slow her down. Gray finished the game with 29 points including connecting on 56% (5-9 FG) from beyond the arc. She also had a game-high 12 assists drawing multiple defenders and always finding her teammates for excellent shot opportunities.
Then there’s A’ja Wilson. After struggling in Game 1 scoring a season-low eight points, she has bounced back with a fury of Thor’s lightning bolts. A’ja is playing like a player possessed scoring at will and dominating the Storm at every turn. She has posted back-to-back 30+ points and 10+ rebound performances over the past two games. Wilson scored 20 points in the first half alone on Sunday and finished with a game-high 34 points. Once again, the Storm have had no answers.
Wilson, who already won the league’s MVP Award back in 2020 and very likely might win it again this year (it’ll be announced later this week) has continued to grow and improve. It’s noticeable in her play this season and especially during the playoffs. Two years ago the Aces wouldn’t have won this game. They wouldn’t have been able to overcome the hostile crowd. It’s obviously not just A’ja who’s stepped up her game and I was able to talk to Wilson about the improvements she’s seen with her team compared to a couple of years ago.