By: Nina Samone
Seattle Storm on Sunday defeated the top-seeded Las Vegas Aces 76-73, despite missing forward Gabby Williams due to injury.
Despite missing that huge defensive presence in Williams, the four other Storm starters – all who had been drafted No.1 – were able to strike first in Game 1 of the series in the sold-out Michelob Ultra Arena.
Jewell Loyd, one of the best scorers in the league, dropped 26 points and added on 4 assists. Loyd had 38 points against Las Vegas when the teams met on August 14th, and even though they lost that game, she has continued playing with that intensity.
“Jewell is playing with a lot of confidence, and we need that,” coach Noelle Quinn said. “We’re not going to be successful if Jewell is not at her best – point blank, period. I think she understands that and she’s locked into that.”
Breanna Stewart – 2016 No. 1 draft pick and 2016 Rookie of the Year – added on 24 points and 6 rebounds to propel the Storm past Vegas.
Tina Charles, who will be retiring with Sue Bird after this season, had a double-double with 13 points and 18 rebounds. “Coming into this game, the thing I knew I could control was just being on the boards,” said Charles.
“Start early outlets, get second-chance opportunities. I know those are always key come playoff time.”
The Legendary Sue Bird, who will be 42 in October, had 12 assists and no turnovers. With her 12 assists, she breaks the playoff career record for assists with 342 and also holds the record for regular-season career assists with 3, 234.
Seattle did well defensively as well, holding the Aces to nearly twenty below their regular and playoff season averages of over ninety points.
The two teams will face off in Game 2 on Wednesday, August 31st at 10pm.
Sources:
Voepel, M.A. August 2022. ESPN. “Short-handed Seattle Storm lean on stars to lift them past top-seeded Las Vegas Aces in WNBA semifinals opener.” <https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34479139/short-handed-seattle-storm-lean-stars-lift-top-seeded-las-vegas-aces-wnba-semifinals-opener>
