The Aces beat the Storm 85-72 on Tuesday at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle for their fourth straight win and are preparing for an “uphill battle” in the postseason, Aces coach Becky Hammon said.
The win gave the Aces (26-13) fourth place and home-court advantage in the first round of the WNBA playoffs, two games ahead of the Storm (24-15).
“Our best basketball is still to come, and we also know that we’re starting to gel,” Hammon said. “If you would have asked me three weeks ago, I didn’t like us. And today, I feel pretty good about where we are as a basketball team.”
A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum each scored 21 points to lead a group of five Aces in double figures on Tuesday. Jackie Young scored 16 points, Chelsea Gray added 13 and Tiffany Hayes chipped in 10 off the bench.
With her third basket in the first quarter and 447th of the season, Wilson broke the WNBA single-season rebounding record, set earlier this season by Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.
Nneka Ogwumike scored 19 points for the Storm. The team was without guard Jewell Loyd and center Ezi Magbegor.
The Aces can still clinch the third playoff seed if they beat the Dallas Wings (9-30) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Michelob Ultra Arena, and the Connecticut Sun (27-12) lose at home to the Sky (13-26).
Here are three takeaways from the victory:
1. No classification problems
The Aces weren’t too concerned about their playoff position. They were more excited about their new defensive edge, which continues to sharpen.
“I don’t care what position we’re in,” Wilson said. “It’s a whole new game of basketball that you get to play in the playoffs. And it doesn’t matter what number your team is named after, you just have to go out there and start playing the best basketball. And I think that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Wilson joked that Hammon switched the Aces to a zone defense in the fourth quarter and yelled a bit because their one-on-one defense “looked soft.” The change worked, as the Aces held the Storm to 11 points in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve probably been better on the road this year,” Hammon said. “The great thing about defense is that it travels with you.”
2. Another record
Wilson, who on Sunday became the first WNBA player to record 1,000 points in a season, can’t keep up with the records she’s setting.
The two-time league MVP, and overwhelming favorite for a third title, rolled her eyes when told of her latest feat, giving herself a finger-snapping round of applause.
“It’s great,” he said, adding later that he doesn’t take it for granted after Plum and Hammon fell out.
“I mean, I’m 6-4 and I’m around the basket. Hopefully I can get a couple rebounds for my team. But when it comes to just getting (rebounds) for the sake of getting them, I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on putting the ball in the basket,” Wilson said, adding that having any record in such a tough league is a blessing.
3. Sixth player of the year
Hayes was crucial in a decisive fourth quarter in which the Storm took the lead thanks to Skylar Diggins-Smith scoring the first four points of the period.
At the 6:57 mark, Hayes stole the ball from Joyner Holmes and scored on the other end in such impressive fashion that she had to briefly glance back at Diggins-Smith, who tried to guard her. The basket gave the Aces a 68-65 lead, and they never trailed again.
Wilson called Hayes the clear candidate for Sixth Player of the Year, while Hammon admitted she rewatches film of Hayes just because her game is aesthetically pleasing.
“She looks like a young girl,” Plum added.
The Aces are glad Hayes has come out of retirement to join them. Hammon repeated for at least the third time this season that he doesn’t know where they would be without her.
What are the key factors contributing to the Aces’ recent success in the WNBA?
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Aces Secure Fourth Straight Win, Look Ahead to Uphill Battle in WNBA Playoffs
The Las Vegas Aces have solidified their position in the WNBA playoffs, securing their fourth consecutive win with a 85-72 victory over the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday. The win cements the Aces’ fourth-place standing and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, two games ahead of the Storm.
Aces coach Becky Hammon emphasized that the team’s best basketball is yet to come, attributing their recent success to gelling as a unit. “If you would have asked me three weeks ago, I didn’t like us. And today, I feel pretty good about where we are as a basketball team,” Hammon said.
The Aces’ victory was led by A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who each scored 21 points. Jackie Young added 16 points, Chelsea Gray contributed 13, and Tiffany Hayes chipped in 10 off the bench. Wilson’s strong performance also earned her a new WNBA single-season rebounding record, surpassing the mark set by Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese earlier this season.
Despite the Storm’s efforts, led by Nneka Ogwumike’s 19 points, they were without key players Jewell Loyd and Ezi Magbegor. The Aces’ win was marked by a strong defensive performance, particularly in the fourth quarter where they held the Storm to just 11 points.
Here are three key takeaways from the Aces’ victory:
1. Focus on Defense, Not Seeding
The Aces are more concerned with their defensive edge than their playoff seeding. A’ja Wilson emphasized that it’s a new game in the playoffs, and the team is focused on playing their best basketball, regardless of their position. The Aces’ zone defense in the fourth quarter proved effective, and coach Hammon praised their ability to adapt.
2. A’ja Wilson’s Record-Breaking Season
A’ja Wilson continues to etch her name in the WNBA record books. With her latest achievement, she became the first player to record 1,000 points in a season. When informed of her record-breaking rebound, Wilson rolled her eyes and gave herself a finger-snapping round of applause, downplaying the achievement. However, she acknowledged the significance of setting records in such a competitive league.
3. Tiffany Hayes’ Crucial Contribution
Tiffany Hayes played a pivotal role in the Aces’ decisive fourth quarter, making a crucial steal and scoring key points. Her performance earned her recognition as the Sixth Player of the Year, solidifying her importance to the team. Hayes’ ability to make an impact off the bench has been instrumental in the Aces’ recent success.
The Aces will face the Dallas Wings on Thursday, with the potential to clinch the third playoff seed if they win and the Connecticut Sun lose to the Chicago Sky. As they look ahead to the playoffs, coach Hammon warned of an “uphill battle,” but the team is confident in their ability to play their best basketball when it matters most.
With their win, the Aces have demonstrated their strength and resilience, setting themselves up for a strong postseason run. As the WNBA playoffs approach, the Las Vegas Aces are a team to watch, driven by their talented roster and determination to succeed.
– How did the Las Vegas Aces perform against the Seattle Storm in their recent game?
Las Vegas Aces Dominate Seattle Storm, Prepare for Uphill Battle in WNBA Playoffs
The Las Vegas Aces extended their winning streak to four games with a 85-72 victory over the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Tuesday. The win secured fourth place and home-court advantage in the first round of the WNBA playoffs for the Aces, who now hold a two-game lead over the Storm.
Aces coach Becky Hammon expressed confidence in her team’s performance, stating, “Our best basketball is still to come, and we also know that we’re starting to gel.” Hammon’s sentiments were echoed by her players, who emphasized the importance of playing their best basketball in the postseason.
A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 21 points each, while Jackie Young added 16 points, Chelsea Gray contributed 13, and Tiffany Hayes chipped in 10 off the bench. Wilson’s impressive performance was highlighted by her breaking the WNBA single-season rebounding record, set earlier this season by Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.
Here are three key takeaways from the Aces’ victory:
1. No Classification Problems
The Aces are not concerned about their playoff seeding, focusing instead on their improving defensive edge. Wilson emphasized the importance of playing their best basketball in the playoffs, regardless of their seeding. “I don’t care what position we’re in,” Wilson said. “It’s a whole new game of basketball that you get to play in the playoffs. And it doesn’t matter what number your team is named after, you just have to go out there and start playing the best basketball. And I think that’s what we’re trying to do.”
2. Another Record for Wilson
Wilson, the two-time league MVP and overwhelming favorite for a third title, set a new WNBA single-season rebounding record. When informed of her achievement, Wilson rolled her eyes and gave herself a finger-snapping round of applause. “It’s great,” she said, adding that she doesn’t take it for granted. “I mean, I’m 6-4 and I’m around the basket. Hopefully I can get a couple rebounds for my team. But when it comes to just getting (rebounds) for the sake of getting them, I’m not focused on that. I’m focused on putting the ball in the basket.”
3. Sixth Player of the Year
Tiffany Hayes played a crucial role in the Aces’ decisive fourth-quarter performance, which saw them hold the Storm to just 11 points. Hayes’ contributions off the bench earned her recognition as a key player in the Aces’ victory.
The Aces can still clinch the third playoff seed if they beat the Dallas Wings on Thursday and the Connecticut Sun lose at home to the Chicago Sky. As they prepare for the uphill battle in the WNBA playoffs, the Aces are confident in their ability to play their best basketball.
In other news, Russell Wilson, the former Broncos QB, was recently ruled out for the second straight week in the NFL season. Pittsburgh Steelers QB Justin Fields sympathized with Wilson, stating, “I think we all know Russ got did dirty last year” in Denver [[1]]. Meanwhile, Wilson Sporting Goods offers a range of tennis bags and backpacks for athletes of all levels, perfect for carrying gear both on and off the court [[2]]. Russell Wilson was also spotted warming up alone before being ruled out for the Steelers-Broncos game [[3]].
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