The Seattle Storm faced a tough challenge in Game 1 of the playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces, ultimately falling short in a 78-67 loss. A’ja Wilson led the charge for the Aces with 21 points, while Tiffany Hayes added 20 off the bench. The Aces’ defense was the standout in this game, particularly in the fourth quarter where they held Seattle without a field goal.
Strong Defensive Performance
In the crucial final quarter, the Aces’ defense stepped up, shutting down the Storm’s offense completely. Seattle struggled to find any scoring opportunities, going 0-for-12 from the floor in the last 10 minutes of the game. This defensive effort was key in securing the win for Las Vegas and setting the tone for the rest of the series.
Offensive Struggles
While the Aces’ defense was stellar, their offense also faced challenges against Seattle’s own strong defensive play. Las Vegas was only up by five points when Skylar Diggins-Smith finally broke Seattle’s scoring drought with a pair of free throws. Kelsey Plum’s layup with 7:08 left in the game marked the Aces’ first field goal of the fourth quarter, highlighting their offensive struggles in this matchup.
Key Players
A’ja Wilson’s performance was a standout for the Aces, as she not only led the team in scoring but also matched Kiah Stokes with a team-high eight rebounds. Wilson’s presence in the paint was felt on both ends of the court, as she also recorded five blocked shots to protect the rim effectively. Chelsea Gray contributed 16 points and a team-high seven assists, showcasing her playmaking abilities in addition to her scoring prowess.
Jackie Young added 12 points and seven rebounds for Las Vegas, while Nneka Ogwumike recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Aces had a well-rounded effort on both ends of the court, with multiple players stepping up to contribute to the team’s success.
On the Seattle side, Skylar Diggins-Smith led the team with 16 points and eight assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Aces’ stifling defense. Jewell Loyd struggled in her return from a knee injury, scoring just six points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field. The Storm’s offense faced difficulties finding open looks against the Aces’ defense, leading to their scoring drought in the final quarter.
Conclusion
In the end, the Las Vegas Aces’ dominant defensive performance proved to be the difference-maker in Game 1, as they held the Seattle Storm at bay and secured a 78-67 victory. A’ja Wilson’s MVP-caliber performance, along with strong contributions from Tiffany Hayes and Chelsea Gray, propelled the Aces to a crucial win in the first round of the playoff series. Seattle will need to regroup and adjust their game plan to counter the Aces’ defense in Game 2 if they hope to even the series and advance in the playoffs.