SEATTLE, WA. —The Las Vegas Aces (26-13) upended Seattle, 85-72, Tuesday evening, behind a quintet of double-digit scorers led by A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who each poured in 21 points.
The win moves the Aces 2 games ahead of the Storm with 1 game to play, meaning Las Vegas will play host to at least the First Round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs beginning Sunday, Sept. 22 at Michelob ULTRA Arena (time TBA).
What is still unknown is what seed the Aces will be, and the identity of their First Round opponent. Connecticut (27-12) dropped a 78-76 decision to Minnesota this evening, so Las Vegas now trails the Sun by 1 game, and the Aces own the tiebreaker against Connecticut, having swept them 3-0 in the season series.
A Las Vegas win Thursday over Dallas (9-30) and a Sun loss to Chicago (13-26), would bump the Aces up to the 3 seed, and they would host the 6-seed Indiana Fever (20-19) in the First Round. Should the Aces not catch Connecticut, they would finish in 4th place, and host the Storm in the First Round.
The Aces shot 32 of 60 from the field (.533) and 9 of 20 from 3-point range (.450), while the Storm made 30 of 63 (.476) overall and 2 of 9 (.222) from distance.
The Storm outscored the Aces 9-4 in fast break points and 8-2 in second chance points.
The Aces have held their last 9 opponents below 80 points.
The Storm were without the services of Jewell Loyd (knee) and Ezi Magbegor (concussion), while Las Vegas was without Kierstan Bell (non-COVID illness).
The Aces return home Thursday to take on the Dallas Wings (9-30) in the regular season finale for both clubs. Tip at Michelob ULTRA Arena is slated for 7 pm PT, and the game is being broadcast locally on the Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network.
Photo/LasVegasAces
Las Vegas Aces contributed to this column
