LAS VEGAS, NV – The Michelob ULTRA Arena was buzzing with anticipation on Friday night, but it was the Seattle Storm who ultimately silenced the home crowd, delivering a decisive 90-83 blow to the struggling Las Vegas Aces. In a clash that lived up to its billing, featuring electrifying performances and shifting momentum, the Storm solidified their position in the upper echelon of the WNBA standings, while the Aces find themselves grappling with an unfamiliar three-game losing streak.
From the opening tip, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park for the defending champions. The Storm, fresh off a dominant victory, carried that momentum into Sin City. Led by a magnificent outing from Nneka Ogwumike, who showcased her veteran prowess with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, Seattle asserted their offensive presence early. Complementing Ogwumike’s interior dominance was the dynamic playmaking of Skylar Diggins, who chipped in 24 points and six crucial assists, orchestrating a fluid Storm attack.
The first quarter saw the Storm seize an early 10-point lead, going up 23-13, thanks to a 14-3 run. However, the Aces, even without a fully firing A’ja Wilson at the start, refused to fold. Rookie Aaliyah Nye provided an unexpected spark off the bench, sinking two critical threes to narrow the deficit to 23-21 by the end of the period, demonstrating the Aces’ depth and resilience.
The second quarter brought a significant shift in momentum. The Aces, fueled by Jackie Young’s aggressive play (who would finish with a team-high 22 points), went on a 12-2 run to close the half, taking a 45-38 lead into the locker room. Young was instrumental, dropping 10 of her second-quarter points during this pivotal surge, showcasing why she’s considered one of the league’s most exciting young talents. Las Vegas’ defense tightened, limiting the Storm to just 15 points in the quarter, a testament to their championship pedigree.
However, the third quarter proved to be the turning point for the Storm. Despite the Aces stretching their lead to as much as 11 points (56-45), Seattle mounted a furious comeback. A 15-4 run, spearheaded by renewed energy and sharp shooting, saw the Storm claw their way back, taking a precarious one-point lead (67-66) into the final frame. The veteran leadership of Ogwumike and Diggins was palpable, as they steadied the ship and swung the momentum back in Seattle’s favor.
The fourth quarter was a testament to Seattle’s clutch performance. Erica Wheeler, who quietly contributed 17 points on the night, exploded for 10 of those in the final period. Her timely three-pointer and a subsequent layup, combined with a pull-up jumper from Diggins and a layup from Ogwumike, capped a decisive 9-2 spurt that extended Seattle’s lead to 88-81 with less than three minutes remaining. The Aces, visibly frustrated, struggled from the field and the free-throw line in the crucial final minutes, missing key shots and committing costly turnovers.
While A’ja Wilson returned to the court for the Aces after a three-game absence due to concussion protocol, delivering a valiant 20 points and 14 rebounds for another double-double, it wasn’t enough to stem the tide. Her seven turnovers, however, highlighted a rusty performance, a point head coach Becky Hammon frankly addressed post-game, labeling the defensive effort as “atrocious.” Jewell Loyd, facing her former team, added 15 points for Las Vegas.
This victory marks the second time this season the Storm have bested the Aces, the first being a resounding 102-82 win on May 25. The Aces had secured a narrow 75-70 victory over Seattle on June 1, making this series a compelling back-and-forth battle.
For the Las Vegas Aces, this three-game skid is a rare occurrence, marking only the second time since their dominant 2020 WNBA Finals run that they’ve experienced such a slump. They will look to regroup against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Sunday. Meanwhile, the red-hot Seattle Storm, who have now won five of their last six contests, will aim to continue their ascent when they host the New York Liberty. This electrifying WNBA season continues to deliver, and the rivalry between the Storm and the Aces remains one of the league’s most compelling storylines.
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