The Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson (22) takes a jump shot against the Seattle Storm’s Jordan Horston (23) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Fri Jun 7, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces X photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (5-3) started slow in their matchup with the Seattle Storm (7-3) and they finished in the same manner losing 78-65. The Storm played a terrific game defensively crowding the paint which was successful in both halves. A’ja Wilson had another high scoring game with 29 points and 11 rebounds but it was not enough as Las Vegas lost their third game of the season. The Aces had pulled to within one point during the game but they could not contain the Storm trailing for the entire game

Game recap: Las Vegas got a slow start in the opening quarter. They were taking shots but they were just not dropping and the Storm was doing a great job crowding the paint. The Aces fell behind early trailing 15-7 but with 1:51 left in the quarter Las Vegas started to make a move and after the first ten minutes trailed by a single point 17-16.

The Storm really got going in the second quarter leading by ten points with under a minute left in the half. Seattle led at the half 36-28; the Storm had also won the second quarter 19-12. They went on a 17-6 run to end the quarter. Las Vegas needed to find a way to get into the paint, a favorite spot for A’ja Wilson to shoot from. Kelsey Plum also thrives driving the basket so there would be some work for Las Vegas in the second half of play.

The Storm continued to push their lead and with six minutes left in the third quarter led by the score of 46-35. The Aces began to chip away at the Seattle lead and with 3:03 left in the third trailed 48-44 in an unusually low scoring game. Las Vegas was looking to take the lead in the fourth quarter. They had won the third quarter 23-18 and trailed after three quarters 54-51 in a tight contest.

The Aces continued to hang around but were unable to take the lead. With 3:50 left in the game the Storm had taken a 66-59 lead. Jewell Lloyd was having a great game already with 25 points and the clock was winding down. The Aces were running out of time. Four of the Storm’s starters were in double digits and they were outplaying Las Vegas on both sides of the ball. Seattle continued to push their lead and with 1:33 left on the clock had extended their lead 74-61 and this game was all but over for the Aces. The final was 78-65.

Las Vegas got clobbered in the fourth quarter as Seattle went on to win the final quarter 24-14. The road to the playoffs is never easy as Las Vegas lost their third game of the season. A’ja Wilson had another amazing game with 29 points and 11 rebounds but it was not enough to get past the Storm. Jackie Young had a very quiet game with three points and four rebounds. Kelsey Plum had a good one with 18 points.

Post game notes: Friday night the Aces kicked off the weekend losing to the Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Storm come into this game after beating the Phoenix Mercury Tuesday night 80-62. The Storm’s Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points in the victory. The Storm dealt with the “legendary” A’ja Wilson who reached an amazing milestone in their win against the Wings last Tuesday night and despite Wilson’s effort with 29 points took a tough loss Friday night.

She became the first WNBA player with at least 35 points, ten rebounds and five steals. She finished Thursday’s game with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 6 steals. Las Vegas couldn’t extend their win streak as the Storm upset the defending champions. It is tough going throughout a season with a bullseye on your back but that is exactly what the Aces are dealing with right now.

Saturday night Las Vegas will take on the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. The Aces did win their last matchup on May 18 89-82. They will be facing Dearica Hamby who averages 20.4 points per game for Los Angeles. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 6:00 PM.