FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Storm - Game 1 - 2023

Video Credit: WNBA

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Storm – Game 1 – 2023

Las Vegas Aces (1-0) | Seattle Storm (0-1)

The Las Vegas Aces dragged the Seattle Storm through the mud in their season opener, winning 105-64.

The Aces vs Storm played at the Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday.

Aces vs Storm A'ja Wilson — *Photo Credit: Lindsey Wasson/AP*

The Las Vegas Aces didn’t miss a beat without their head coach Becky Hammon on the sideline. Acting head coach Tyler Marsh got the job done against the Seattle Storm.

The Aces’ 41-point victory set a league record for the opening day margin of victory, 36 points, where the Connecticut Sun defeated Las Vegas 101-65 on May 20th, 2018.

“I’m a coach’s kid. I grew up in the game and grew up in coaching,” Marsh said. “So my dad, he’s been a college coach my whole life, and for him to be out here just to see me coach, and for my wife and my son to be out here, that’s the sentimental part for me.”

Candace Parker had a solid debut

Hammon had to deal with her two-game suspension by the league earlier this week following an investigation into former Aces player Dearica Hamby.

The start of the Aces vs Storm first half.

“Obviously, it is tough not having her. But at the same time, I think we were fully prepared,” A’ja Wilson said. “Our coaches were making sure that we were prepared for this moment.”

Las Vegas also missed out on having Riquna Williams, as she was ruled out of the season opener due to a minor lower back injury.

Wilson finished the game with 13 points (6-of-13 FGs) and 13 rebounds. This was Wilson’s 55th double-double of her career, which is the most in Aces’ franchise history and second-most in the league since she entered the WNBA in 2018.

In her debut with the Aces, two-time MVP Candace Parker totaled 12 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Alysha Clark contributed 10 points (4-of-5 FGs, 2-for-3 3s). Chelsea Gray had 14 points (6-of-13 FGs, 0-for-2 3s), six rebounds, and six assists.

It was Kelsey Plum (8-of-16 FGs, 3-for-5 3s) and Jackie Young (8-of-13 FGs, 3-for-4 3s) who led the way, with both scoring 23 points. Plum added five rebounds and five assists, while Young had five rebounds and three assists. Plum was also a game-high +33 in +/-.

Jewell Loyd led the Storm with 22 points (7-of-25 FGs, 3-for-8 3s, 5-of-7 FTs), four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. However, no other Seattle player scored more than eight points except for rookie Jordan Horston (Eight points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals).

The end of the Aces vs Storm first half.

Loyd struggled badly early, missing her first eight shots, and struggled to get clean looks anytime Plum was defending her.

The start of the Aces vs Storm second half.

Aces vs Storm Las Vegas Aces bench celebrating — *Photo Credit: Lindsey Wasson/AP*

“It’s going to be an interesting year figuring out every single day,” Seattle coach Noelle Quinn said. “We’re battle-tested early. It’s going to be a work in progress for some teams, and some teams are well-oiled right now. This was just a tough challenge for this particular group.”

Despite the final score being lopsided, the scoreboard started at 18-14 after the first 10 minutes, with the Aces in the lead. Plum and Young had eight points apiece to lead Las Vegas in the first quarter.

Carrying over from the first, the Aces went on an 11-0 scoring run to begin the second towards a 25-14 lead. Coming out of a timeout, the Storm scored out of the break. However, the Aces scored seven points in succession. In all, Las Vegas outscored Seattle 25-14 in the second period for a 43-28 halftime lead.

Las Vegas outscored Seattle 52-34 in the paint and outrebounded Seattle 50-32.

The Aces shot 54.8 percent from the field, 61.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 82.4 percent from the free throw line. On the other hand, Seattle made just 32.1 percent of its field goals, including 23.8 percent from downtown and only 60 percent from the charity stripe.

The Aces also set a league record for most defensive rebounds in a regulation game with 44 total.

The final score of the Aces vs Storm was 105-64, Aces.