Becky Hammon talks resiliency of Aces to turn season around
Becky Hammon talks to media after the 97-87 Las Vegas Aces victory of Minnesota Lynx
A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces grabbed the early lead in their 2025 WNBA playoff first-round series against the Seattle Storm.
Wilson produced a game-high 29 points in the 102-77 victory at home on Sunday, Sept. 14. Wilson moved into 10th all-time on the WNBA’s playoff scoring list, passing Angel McCoughtry. Wilson sat out a chunk of the fourth quarter with the Aces holding the lead throughout the game.
The Aces have won 17 straight games, including the playoffs, setting the second-longest win streak in the league’s history.
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The Storm were limited to just 25 points in the first half. The 25-point loss was Seattle’s worst playoff defeat in franchise history.
The Aces were dominant on defense with 10 steals and six blocks on the night while forcing the Storm to turn the ball over 12 times.
“I think when we are locked in on the defensive end, we can play in transition at the pace we want to,” Aces guard Jackie Young told ESPN after the game.
Young added 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds. She was four for six from the three-point line.
The Storm will have a chance to bounce back in Game 2, which will be played in Seattle on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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Aces center A’ja Wilson finished with 29 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes of play.
Gabby Williams shot 8 of 13 from the field for 16 points for the Storm in the loss. Nneka Ogwumike added 16 points and Skylar Diggins had 12 points.
A’ja Wilson had 25 points and six rebounds for the Aces through three quarters. Jackie Young is close to a triple-double with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Gabby Williams had a team-high 16 points for the Storm. Skylar Diggins added 12 points.
A’ja Wilson led all players with 16 points and five rebounds for the Aces in the first half. She shot five of 10 from the field in 18 minutes of play.
NaLyssa Smith scored eight points and six rebounds against the Storm. Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle with nine points and six rebounds. She shot four of nine from the field in 17 minutes of play.
A’ja Wilson had eight points and three rebounds in the first quarter to lead the Aces.
Nneka Ogwumike told the ESPN broadcast what it will take for the Storm to stop Wilson throughout the night.
“You just have to make things difficult,” Wilson said. “Guarding her with team defense is what’s effective for us.”
Ogwumike had five points and two rebounds to lead the Storm.
The Aces scored the first four points of the game at home against the Storm. Las Vegas leads Seattle 15-5 with 4:43 left in the first quarter.
Skylar Diggins was spotted running back to the locker room after a substitution.
Guard Skylar Diggins, guard Brittney Sykes, forward Gabby Williams, forward Nneka Ogwumike and center Ezi Magbegor will make up the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Las Vegas Aces.
Forward NaLyssa Smith, guard Jackie Young, guard Chelsea Gray, forward Kierstan Bell and center A’ja Wilson will start for the Aces in Game 1 against the Storm tonight.
What time is Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces?
The Minnesota Lynx host the Golden State Valkyries at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) on Sunday, Sept. 14 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
How to watch Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces: TV, streamTime: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)Location: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas)TV channel: ESPNStreaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)Aces vs. Storm WNBA Playoffs scheduleGame 1: Aces 102, Storm 77Game 2: Aces at Storm, 9:30 ET Tuesday (ESPN)Game 3: Storm at Aces, TBD Thursday (ESPN2)
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