Aces close out Storm 83-76 and will make their sixth consecutive WNBA semifinal appearance
LAS VEGAS (AP) Kelsey Plum scored 29 points, A’ja Wilson had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Las Vegas Aces closed out the Seattle Storm 83-76 on Tuesday night to advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
Las Vegas, which has won 11 straight home games in the playoffs, swept the best-of-three series to set up a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals against top-seeded New York starting Sunday. The Aces are trying to become the first team to win three titles in a row since Houston won four straight from 1997-2000 in the league's first four seasons.
Wilson set a WNBA record by recording 20-plus points and at least 10 rebounds in 13 career playoff games, passing Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker. The WNBA MVP, who missed her first six shots in Game 1, went 5 of 7 from the field in the first quarter and finished 9 of 17.
After Seattle took its first lead of the game with 7:58 left in the fourth quarter, the Aces scored the next seven points for a 71-65 lead on Jackie Young’s fast-break layup.
The Storm had a chance to get within 78-74 with 2:22 left but Ezi Magbegor missed both free throws. Chelsea Gray answered at the other end with a jumper from the free-throw line for an eight-point lead. Tiffany Hayes sealed it with a layup in traffic with 46 seconds to play.
Gray had 12 points and nine assists for Las Vegas. Plum, who was held to only two points in Game 1, finished 11 of 15 from the field.
Gabby Williams scored 20 points and Nneka Ogwumike had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Seattle. Magbegor, who missed Game 1 due to a concussion, added 14 points, Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 13 and Jewell Loyd was held to nine points on 3-of-11 shooting. Seattle was 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the first half before finishing 8 of 23.
Las Vegas made nine straight shots in the first quarter to build an early double-digit lead. Wilson completed a three-point play and Gray sank a 3-pointer on the next possession as Las Vegas opened the game on a 15-4 run. Plum and Gray each added a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to extend it to 23-7.
Wilson, Plum and Gray combined to score all of Las Vegas' 28 first-quarter points.
Seattle went on a 9-0 run in the second quarter to get within 39-38 as Las Vegas went more than four minutes without making a field goal. But the Aces closed the half on a 6-0 run, capped by Wilson’s two free throws with 2.8 seconds left.
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| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 |  | Start of the 1st Quarter | ||
| 10:00 | | Jump Ball: A'ja Wilson vs. Ezi Magbegor. | ||
| 9:55 | | A'ja Wilson misses a jump shot from 9 feet out. | ||
| 9:55 |  | Ezi Magbegor with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 9:15 | | Storm with a turnover: Shot Clock Turnover | ||
| 8:59 | | +2 | Kelsey Plum makes a layup. Chelsea Gray with the assist. | 0-2 |
| 8:43 | | +2 | Jewell Loyd makes a jump shot from 7 feet out. Ezi Magbegor with the assist. | 2-2 |
| 8:34 | | +3 | Kelsey Plum makes a 3-point jump shot from 29 feet out. A'ja Wilson with the assist. | 2-5 |
| 8:18 | | +2 | Ezi Magbegor makes a jump shot from 10 feet out. Skylar Diggins-Smith with the assist. | 4-5 |
| 8:02 | | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a jump shot from 17 feet out. Jackie Young with the assist. | 4-7 |
| 7:51 | | Jewell Loyd misses a jump shot from 20 feet out. | ||
| 7:51 | | A'ja Wilson with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 7:38 | | Personal foul committed by Skylar Diggins-Smith. | ||
| 7:29 | | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a layup. Jackie Young with the assist. | 4-9 |
| 7:12 | | Jewell Loyd misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | ||
| 7:12 | | A'ja Wilson with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 7:02 | | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a jump shot from 13 feet out. Kelsey Plum with the assist. | 4-11 |
| 7:02 | | Shooting foul committed by Nneka Ogwumike. | ||
| 7:02 | | +1 | A'ja Wilson makes free throw 1 of 1. | 4-12 |
| 6:52 | | Nneka Ogwumike misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | ||
| 6:52 | | Kelsey Plum with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 6:43 | | +3 | Chelsea Gray makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Kelsey Plum with the assist. | 4-15 |
| 6:41 | | Storm take a full timeout. | ||
| 6:26 | | Skylar Diggins-Smith misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | ||
| 6:26 | | A'ja Wilson with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 6:13 | | +2 | Kelsey Plum makes a layup. Jackie Young with the assist. | 4-17 |
| 5:58 | | +3 | Ezi Magbegor makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Skylar Diggins-Smith with the assist. | 7-17 |
| 5:39 | | +3 | Kelsey Plum makes a 3-point jump shot from 24 feet out. Jackie Young with the assist. | 7-20 |
| 5:21 | | Gabby Williams misses a jump shot from 21 feet out. | ||
| 5:21 | | Jackie Young with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 5:14 | | +3 | Chelsea Gray makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Jackie Young with the assist. | 7-23 |
| 4:58 | | +3 | Skylar Diggins-Smith makes a 3-point jump shot from 23 feet out. Jewell Loyd with the assist. | 10-23 |
| 4:40 | | Jackie Young misses a layup. | ||
| 4:40 | | Nneka Ogwumike with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 4:30 | | +3 | Ezi Magbegor makes a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. Nneka Ogwumike with the assist. | 13-23 |
| 4:15 | | +3 | A'ja Wilson makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Chelsea Gray with the assist. | 13-26 |
| 4:03 | | Gabby Williams misses a 3-point jump shot from 24 feet out. | ||
| 4:03 | | Jackie Young with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 3:52 | | Chelsea Gray misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | ||
| 3:52 | | Storm with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 3:52 | | Storm take a full timeout. | ||
| 3:52 | | Substitution: Mercedes Russell in for Ezi Magbegor. | ||
| 3:52 | | Substitution: Jordan Horston in for Gabby Williams. | ||
| 3:52 | | Substitution: Tiffany Hayes in for Kiah Stokes. | ||
| 3:52 | | Substitution: Alysha Clark in for Jackie Young. | ||
| 3:52 | | Jump Ball: Nneka Ogwumike vs. A'ja Wilson. | ||
| 3:37 | | Shooting foul committed by Alysha Clark. | ||
| 3:37 | | +1 | Nneka Ogwumike makes free throw 1 of 2. | 14-26 |
| 3:37 | | +1 | Nneka Ogwumike makes free throw 2 of 2. | 15-26 |
| 3:16 | | Tiffany Hayes misses a jump shot from 9 feet out. | ||
| 3:16 | | Nneka Ogwumike with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 3:03 | | Skylar Diggins-Smith misses a jump shot from 9 feet out. | ||
| 3:03 | | A'ja Wilson with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 2:51 | | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a jump shot from 11 feet out. Chelsea Gray with the assist. | 15-28 |
| 2:32 | | Nneka Ogwumike misses a jump shot from 9 feet out. | ||
| 2:32 | | Alysha Clark with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 2:25 | | Kelsey Plum with a turnover - Bad Pass | ||
| 2:25 | | Substitution: Jackie Young in for Chelsea Gray. | ||
| 2:12 | | Personal foul committed by Jackie Young. | ||
| 2:12 | | Substitution: Ezi Magbegor in for Nneka Ogwumike. | ||
| 1:58 | | Ezi Magbegor misses a jump shot from 20 feet out. | ||
| 1:58 | | Jackie Young with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 1:42 | | Jackie Young misses a jump shot from 8 feet out. | ||
| 1:42 | | Jordan Horston with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 1:33 | | Jordan Horston misses a jump shot from 20 feet out. | ||
| 1:33 | | Storm with an offensive rebound. | ||
| 1:31 | | Substitution: Gabby Williams in for Skylar Diggins-Smith. | ||
| 1:29 | | +2 | Ezi Magbegor makes a jump shot from 8 feet out. Gabby Williams with the assist. | 17-28 |
| 1:08 | | A'ja Wilson misses a jump shot from 12 feet out. | ||
| 1:08 | | Ezi Magbegor with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 57.4 | | +3 | Gabby Williams makes a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. Ezi Magbegor with the assist. | 20-28 |
| 50.5 | | Jordan Horston steals the ball from Kelsey Plum. | ||
| 40.0 | | Gabby Williams misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | ||
| 40.0 | | Kelsey Plum with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 33.4 | | +2 | Kelsey Plum makes a layup. | 20-30 |
| 09.2 | | Jewell Loyd misses a layup. | ||
| 09.2 | | Alysha Clark with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 0.8 | | Gabby Williams steals the ball from Jackie Young. | ||
| 0.0 | | End of the 1st Quarter | ||
| 3:52 | | Storm take a full timeout. | ||
| 3:50 | | Substitution: Mercedes Russell in for Ezi Magbegor. | ||
| 3:50 | | Substitution: Jordan Horston in for Gabby Williams. | ||
| 3:50 | | Substitution: Tiffany Hayes in for Kiah Stokes. | ||
| 3:52 | | Substitution: Alysha Clark in for Jackie Young. | ||
| 3:52 | | Jump Ball: Nneka Ogwumike vs. A'ja Wilson. |
| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | | Start of the 2nd Quarter | ||
| 9:45 | | Sydney Colson blocks a Skylar Diggins-Smith jump shot from 19 feet out. | ||
| 9:39 | | Skylar Diggins-Smith steals the ball from Jackie Young. | ||
| 8:57 | | Alysha Clark misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | ||
| 8:45 | | +2 | Gabby Williams makes a layup. | 22-30 |
| 8:26 | | +3 | Tiffany Hayes makes a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. Alysha Clark with the assist. | 22-33 |
| 7:56 | | Jordan Horston steals the ball from Kiah Stokes. | ||
| 7:52 | | Tiffany Hayes steals the ball from Jordan Horston. | ||
| 7:27 | | Alysha Clark misses a jump shot from 14 feet out. | ||
| 7:27 | | Jackie Young with an offensive rebound. | ||
| 7:23 | | Jackie Young misses a tip shot from 2 feet out. | ||
| 7:23 | | Jackie Young with an offensive rebound. | ||
| 7:10 | | Jackie Young misses a 3-point jump shot from 25 feet out. | ||
| 7:10 | | Jordan Horston with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 7:02 | | Shooting foul committed by Kiah Stokes. | ||
| 7:02 | | +1 | Gabby Williams makes free throw 1 of 2. | 26-33 |
| 7:02 | | Substitution: Nneka Ogwumike in for Mercedes Russell. | ||
| 7:02 | | Substitution: Chelsea Gray in for Kiah Stokes. | ||
| 7:02 | | Substitution: Megan Gustafson in for Jackie Young. | ||
| 7:02 | | +1 | Gabby Williams makes free throw 2 of 2. | 27-33 |
| 6:47 | | Skylar Diggins-Smith steals the ball from Alysha Clark. | ||
| 6:42 | | Skylar Diggins-Smith misses a layup. | ||
| 6:42 | | Nneka Ogwumike with an offensive rebound. | ||
| 6:39 | | Shooting foul committed by Tiffany Hayes. | ||
| 6:39 | | +1 | Nneka Ogwumike makes free throw 1 of 2. | 28-33 |
| 6:39 | | Substitution: A'ja Wilson in for Sydney Colson. | ||
| 6:39 | | Substitution: Kelsey Plum in for Alysha Clark. | ||
| 6:39 | | +1 | Nneka Ogwumike makes free throw 2 of 2. | 29-33 |
| 6:29 | | Chelsea Gray with a turnover - Traveling | ||
| 6:12 | | Chelsea Gray steals the ball from Nneka Ogwumike. | ||
| 5:53 | | +2 | Kelsey Plum makes a jump shot from 18 feet out. Tiffany Hayes with the assist. | 29-35 |
| 5:29 | | Ezi Magbegor misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | ||
| 5:29 | | A'ja Wilson with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 5:15 | | +2 | Tiffany Hayes makes a layup. Chelsea Gray with the assist. | 29-37 |
| 4:44 | | A'ja Wilson blocks a Nneka Ogwumike jump shot from 9 feet out. | ||
| 4:44 | | Chelsea Gray with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 4:40 | | +2 | A'ja Wilson makes a layup. Chelsea Gray with the assist. | 29-39 |
| 4:40 | | Storm take a full timeout. | ||
| 4:27 | | +2 | Jordan Horston makes a jump shot from 10 feet out. Skylar Diggins-Smith with the assist. | 31-39 |
| 4:04 | | Megan Gustafson misses a 3-point jump shot from 26 feet out. | ||
| 4:04 | | Gabby Williams with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 3:53 | | Jordan Horston with a turnover - Traveling | ||
| 3:41 | | Jordan Horston steals the ball from Tiffany Hayes. | ||
| 3:34 | | +2 | Nneka Ogwumike makes a jump shot from 18 feet out. Skylar Diggins-Smith with the assist. | 33-39 |
| 3:18 | | Jordan Horston blocks a A'ja Wilson layup. | ||
| 3:18 | | Aces with an offensive rebound. | ||
| 3:18 | | Substitution: Jewell Loyd in for Jordan Horston. | ||
| 3:06 | | Skylar Diggins-Smith blocks a Chelsea Gray jump shot from 11 feet out. | ||
| 3:06 | | Ezi Magbegor with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 3:06 | | Personal foul committed by Tiffany Hayes. | ||
| 3:03 | | +3 | Jewell Loyd makes a 3-point jump shot from 24 feet out. Gabby Williams with the assist. | 36-39 |
| 3:00 | | Aces take a full timeout. | ||
| 3:00 | | Substitution: Jackie Young in for Tiffany Hayes. | ||
| 2:36 | | Kelsey Plum misses a 3-point jump shot from 30 feet out. | ||
| 2:36 | | Gabby Williams with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 2:23 | | +2 | Ezi Magbegor makes a layup. Skylar Diggins-Smith with the assist. | 38-39 |
| 2:05 | | A'ja Wilson misses a jump shot from 8 feet out. | ||
| 2:05 | | A'ja Wilson with an offensive rebound. | ||
| 2:02 | | Shooting foul committed by Ezi Magbegor. | ||
| 2:02 | | +1 | A'ja Wilson makes free throw 1 of 2. | 38-40 |
| 2:02 | | Substitution: Kiah Stokes in for Megan Gustafson. | ||
| 2:02 | | +1 | A'ja Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2. | 38-41 |
| 1:51 | | Ezi Magbegor misses a jump shot from 11 feet out. | ||
| 1:51 | | Kiah Stokes with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 1:32 | | Nneka Ogwumike steals the ball from Jackie Young. | ||
| 1:27 | | Chelsea Gray blocks a Nneka Ogwumike layup. | ||
| 1:27 | | Aces with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 1:11 | | Aces take a full timeout. | ||
| 1:05 | | Kelsey Plum misses a 3-point jump shot from 27 feet out. | ||
| 1:05 | | Kiah Stokes with an offensive rebound. | ||
| 51.9 | | +2 | Chelsea Gray makes a jump shot from 20 feet out. | 38-43 |
| 27.6 | | Skylar Diggins-Smith misses a jump shot from 9 feet out. | ||
| 27.6 | | Kiah Stokes with a defensive rebound. | ||
| 07.7 | | Personal foul committed by Jewell Loyd. | ||
| 02.8 | | Shooting foul committed by Nneka Ogwumike. | ||
| 02.8 | | +1 | A'ja Wilson makes free throw 1 of 2. | 38-44 |
| 02.8 | | Substitution: Tiffany Hayes in for Jackie Young. | ||
| 02.8 | | +1 | A'ja Wilson makes free throw 2 of 2. | 38-45 |
| 0.0 | | End of the 2nd Quarter |