Aces Advance to Semifinals with Victory Over Storm

**Las Vegas, NV** — In a thrilling conclusion to their playoff series, the Las Vegas Aces triumphed over the Seattle Storm with a final score of 83-76, securing their place in the WNBA semifinals for the sixth consecutive season.

The decisive game took place on Tuesday night, showcasing stellar performances from star players Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson.

Kelsey Plum led the charge for the Aces, scoring an impressive 29 points, while A’ja Wilson contributed significantly with 24 points and 13 rebounds. This victory not only solidified their advancement but also set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch against the top-seeded New York Liberty, which will kick off on Sunday.

The Aces demonstrated their dominance throughout the series, sweeping the best-of-three matchup against the Storm. Las Vegas continues to impress with their playoff prowess, boasting an 11-game winning streak at home. The team is now poised to make history by attempting to become the first in WNBA history to win three consecutive championships since the Houston Comets achieved four straight titles from 1997 to 2000.

A’ja Wilson, who was named the WNBA MVP, made waves in this playoff run by setting a league record for most career playoff games with 20-plus points and at least 10 rebounds, surpassing legends Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker. Despite a rocky start in Game 1, where she missed her first six shots, Wilson rebounded with a strong performance, going 5 of 7 from the field in the first quarter alone.

The game was tightly contested, with Seattle taking its first lead of the night with just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the Aces quickly responded by scoring seven consecutive points, reclaiming the lead at 71-65 thanks to Jackie Young’s fast-break layup. 

Seattle had a chance to close the gap late in the game but missed crucial free throws that could have brought them within four points. Chelsea Gray then extended Las Vegas’ lead with a jumper, and Tiffany Hayes sealed the victory with a layup in traffic with just 46 seconds left on the clock.

For Seattle, Gabby Williams led the scoring with 20 points, while Nneka Ogwumike added a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Ezi Magbegor, who missed Game 1 due to a concussion, contributed 14 points, and Skylar Diggins-Smith added another 13. However, Jewell Loyd struggled offensively, finishing with only nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.

The Aces started strong, making nine consecutive shots in the first quarter and building an early double-digit lead. They opened the game with a commanding 15-4 run, with Wilson completing a three-point play and Gray hitting a three-pointer on their next possession. Plum and Gray continued to contribute from beyond the arc, extending their lead to 23-7.

Despite a brief resurgence from Seattle in the second quarter, where they went on a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to just one point, Las Vegas managed to close out the half strong. They finished the second quarter on a 6-0 run, capped off by Wilson’s two free throws just before halftime.

As they prepare for their semifinal matchup against New York, the Aces will look to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their playoff experience. With star players like Plum and Wilson leading the way, they are determined to continue their pursuit of a third consecutive championship title.

The stage is set for an exciting semifinal series that promises to showcase some of the best talent in women’s basketball. Fans eagerly await what is sure to be a thrilling clash between two powerhouse teams as they vie for a spot in the WNBA Finals.