Storm Surge to 90-83 Win Over the Aces

Seattle outscored Las Vegas 52-38 in the 2nd half for the victory.

(Las Vegas, Nevada) - In a game that featured major runs by both teams and star players producing some incredible numbers, it was the Seattle Storm (8-5) that came out on top, 90-83, over the Las Vegas Aces (5-7). Seattle got on top early, dominating most of the first quarter. They led 23-13, but allowed the Aces to end on an 8-0 run. That swung all the momentum towards Las Vegas. After trailing by 10, the home team finished the first half on a 32-15 run and carried a seven-point lead into halftime. It looked like it would be more of the same as the Aces increased their lead to 11 points in the third quarter. Seattle’s starters fought back. Seattle was down 59-49 and outscored Las Vegas 41-24 the rest of the way.

Four of Seattle’s starters put forth incredible performances. Nneka Ogwumike led the way with 25 points on 11-16 FG shooting, 3-4 FG from three-point range, and pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds. Gabby Williams finished with her first career double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. She also had four assists. Skylar Diggins added 24 points and a team-high six assists. Erica Wheeler rounded out the group with 17 points on 7-14 FG shooting. That included making 3-5 FG from beyond the arc.

Surprisingly, despite the win, Seattle lost much of the statistical battle. They shot well, but not as well as the Aces. Las Vegas outshot Seattle 48% (29-61 FG) to 47% (33-71 FG). The Aces were excellent from extended range, knocking down 58% (11-19 FG) of their shots from the three-point line. Seattle was also great from deep. They made 11-23 FG (48%). The Storm’s bench was outscored 15-2. Las Vegas had more free throw makes and attempts as well.

Important for Seattle, they won the rebounding battle 37-30. That included nearly doubling the Aces in offensive rebounds, 11-6. Seattle had a slight edge in fast break points (12-10), but a more impressive margin from inside the paint, where they outscored the Aces 38-28.

This was a good win for the Storm because the Aces have had Seattle’s number ever since Becky Hammon took over as coach in 2022. Las Vegas also got A’ja Wilson back after she had missed a couple of games with a concussion. This wasn’t Seattle taking advantage of an injured team like they did with Los Angeles.

Las Vegas Aces

Similar to Seattle, the Aces had four players score in double figures. A’ja Wilson returned and had an impressive double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds. She missed five free throws and was beaten off the dribble a couple of times, which was unusual to see.

Jackie Young was impressive. She finished with a team-high 22 points. Young made four of six three-point attempts. She also had five assists and four rebounds. Jewell Loyd had a very good game for Las Vegas. Loyd added 15 points, knocked down 3-4 FG from 3-PT range, and added four assists. Rookie Aaliyah Nye continues to look like a steal as she has been the team’s best bench player. Nye scored 13 points off the bench and also knocked down 3-4 FG from beyond the arc.

Per Willie Ramirez, A’ja Wilson vented her frustration after the game, stating, “I think it’s going to take for us to continue to get our ass beat, for us to wake up. And it’s going to click, and when it does, that’s when you’re going to see Aces’ basketball. But right now we’re just going to continue to get our ass beat until we man up.”

It’s been a frustrating season for Las Vegas as they drop to two games below .500. They currently sit in 8th place in the WNBA standings.

Game Breakdown

A’ja Wilson scored on a turnaround fadeaway. Ezi Magbegor blew by Wilson on the other end. Chelsea Gray knocked down a three. Magbegor found Nneka Ogwumike under the basket as she had escaped the defense. Gabby Williams knocked down a three-pointer. Seattle got another defensive stop, and Erica Wheeler was able to score on a dribble pull-up inside the paint. A’ja was fouled on a drive to the rim and split the pair of free throws. Jewell Loyd made a nice move to get free and scored.

Diggins made a strong drive to the rim to put the Storm up 16-8. Seattle had a chance to go up 10, but Wheeler’s outlet pass was too far ahead of Diggins. Skylar tried to save it, but it went straight to the Aces. They pushed in transition with numbers and found Jackie Young wide-open for a three-ball. Wheeler responded with a triple for Seattle, forcing Coach Becky Hammon to call a timeout.

Skylar got another layup past the Aces’ defense. Rookie Aaliyah Nye drilled a corner three for Las Vegas. Coach Quinn called a timeout, and Alysha Clark was very demonstrative. Immediately out of the timeout, it appeared Gabby Williams wasn’t paying attention, allowing Loyd to steal the inbounds pass. Dana Evans cut the Storm’s lead down to five on a strong drive to the rim. Seattle gave up a last-second corner three by Nye. The Aces finished the quarter on an 8-0 run as they trailed by just two at the end of the first, 23-21.

Nye then scored again to begin the second to tie the game. Skylar then made back-to-back jumpers. Ezi drew a late foul on A’ja to put the Storm ahead six. Wilson then immediately got fouled by Ezi. A’ja got an AND1 on the next Aces’ possession. Chelsea Gray got inside the lane and banked it in to put Las Vegas up one.

Nneka Ogwumike scored five in a row, with an offensive putback and an open three-ball. Wilson got back to the foul line. Gabby Williams hit a nice jumper over A’ja. Jackie Young got to the rim for two. Young hit a deep three. Then, after a pair of free throws by Clark. Young knocked down another three-ball. Seattle continued to struggle on offense. Young scored a difficult shot in the paint right before the half. The Aces went on a 32-15 run after Seattle led 23-13. Las Vegas led 45-38 over Seattle at the midway point. A’ja Wilson scored 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds in the first half. Jackie Young scored 10 of her 13 points late in the 2nd quarter. Ogwumike led Seattle with 11 points. Skylar Diggins had nine points.

A’ja scored to begin the third with one of her patented pull-up jumpers in the paint. Erica Wheeler was able to score at the rim. Jewell Loyd knocked down a three to put the Aces up. double-digits. Skylar hit a corner three.

The Storm rallied with a 6-0 run to cut their deficit to three at 61-58. A lot of their third-quarter offense went through Nneka Ogwumike as she scored 12 points in the period. Seattle took the lead back after Diggins got to the foul line and Gabby scored a layup in transition. Out of the timeout, Chelsea Gray found Jewell Loyd in the corner for three points. Gabby Williams countered with a triple on the other end. Seattle led 67-66 at the end of the third.

Loyd and Wheeler swapped three-point baskets to start the final frame. Seattle found Gabby open for three. Williams was fouled hard on a drive to the rim and audibly celebrated for finally drawing a foul on the defense. Gabby had complained after the last game about how she is getting hit a lot on drives and never gets a whistle. She split the two free throws.

Wheeler knocked down a three right before the shot clock buzzer. That put Seattle up four at 82-78. Jackie Young was able to draw a foul to cut it to two. A beautiful, smooth jumper by Skylar put the Storm up 86-81 with around three and a half minutes left in the game. Skylar and Nneka executed the pick-and-roll to perfection, as Ogwumike scored at the rim. Jewell was fouled on the other end and made both free throws to keep it a five-point lead for the Storm.

With under two minutes to play, the Storm grabbed three offensive rebounds in a single possession. Despite not scoring from any of those extra chances, Seattle was able to drain the clock. More importantly, their heart and hustle were on full display with Gabby and AC collecting those rebounds.

Chelsea Gray got a look at a three but missed. Seattle missed on their end, and then A’ja was fouled with a chance to cut the Aces’ deficit to three with 37 seconds left in the game. Surprisingly, she missed both free throws. It’s unclear if the Aces’ fans were awarded a slice of pizza for the “Miss Twice, Get a Slice” promotion.

With Las Vegas trailing by five, they were forced to foul. Gabby made both of her free throws. Alysha Clark picked off a pass on the Aces’ next possession to seal the victory. Seattle was able to dribble out the clock for the 90-83 victory.

Final Box Score

Up Next

Seattle returns home, where the Storm will host Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and the New York Liberty (10-2) on Sunday, June 22nd at 4:00 PM.

Part 2

Part 2 will include additional thoughts, quotes, and discussion from Friday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces. It’ll be sent exclusively to paid subscribers tomorrow morning.

Notes:
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