FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs Storm - Game 15

FSM Essential Recap: Aces vs. Storm – Game 15

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Aces (11-4) | Seattle Storm (12-4)

 

 

In a rematch of the 2020 WNBA Finals, the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm met for the third time this season having already split a pair of games. The Aces went to overtime for the second game in a row, but this time managed to pull out a win by the score of 95-92.

 

RECAP:

 

Liz Cambage was fed in the post on the team’s opening possession but was swarmed immediately, which allowed for her to find Riquna Williams open for a three to give Vegas the first points of the game. Reigning Finals MVP Breanna Stewart knocked down a fadeaway jumper along the baseline before a pair of Jewell Loyd baskets gave Seattle the early lead. A’ja Wilson then converted on a pair of mid-range jumpers to put the Aces up three at the first media timeout. Stewart grabbed control of the game once again, and Jordin Canada pitched in down the stretch of the opening quarter to help the Storm to a 21-16 lead going into the second.

Vegas scored on an early A’ja Wilson transition layup thanks to a Riquna Williams steal to open the quarter, but the Aces’ offense was held in check over the next four minutes — scoring just two points. Seattle wasn’t much better but did manage some production from Sue Bird to boost their lead from five to seven.

After the timeout, Chelsea Gray returned to the court and scored immediately, which was followed by a Williams catch-and-shoot three-pointer. The Storm attacked Jackie Young in the post the next couple of possessions and found some good results — Katie Lou Samuelson scoring at the rim and then finding Loyd for three on the ensuing trip down the court. But the Aces strung together a mini-run that was highlighted by Wilson saving a loose ball that led to a Young jump shot to close the deficit to four points. Sue Bird responded with a three-pointer and then found Samuelson for three to beat the second-quarter buzzer. The Storm took a 42-37 lead into the half. 

Liz Cambage scored on the Aces’ first possession of the quarter but was subbed out just two minutes in. From there, the Storm’s terrific Bird-Stewart-Loyd trio did the heavy lifting for Seattle’s offense and pushed the lead to nine before an official timeout. Cambage returned to the game and had an immediate impact on the offense; she was served the all twice in the paint, which led to five quick points — two of her own and three to Plum. Seattle answered the Aces 7-0 run with an 8-2 run of their own. Both teams played about evenly the rest of the quarter, with Seattle edging out the Aces by two points in the frame, and ultimately, they’d lead the Aces 65-58 at the end of three.

 

As the deficit threatened to reach double figures, Chelsea Gray started to take the game over for Las Vegas as she was responsible for the team’s first 14 points. Kelsey Plum ignited the crowd after her three-pointer gave the Aces a 75-74 lead. Yet, Stewart and Jordin Canada responded on the ensuing possessions to retake the lead. The game slowed, and possessions grew longer over the next few minutes, and Wilson made four free throws to put the Aces on top 81-80. Jewell Loyd and Chelsea Gray traded jumpers as the two teams exchanged leads. Breanna Stewart tied the game at 84 with a layup with 52 seconds remaining, but both teams went scoreless throughout the remainder of the regulation.

Stewart and Wilson opened up the scoring for their respective teams, which were the only two baskets scored over the first three minutes of overtime. Jewell Loyd drained a tough contested turnaround jumper over Hamby, and the Storm pulled ahead, but the Aces answered with a Plum layup driving to her left, which gave them a 92-91 advantage. Stewart gave Seattle a one-point lead after two free throws, but Chelsea Gray’s iso jumper with 10 seconds left put the Aces on top for the final time. Sue Bird missed a three on the other end, and Vegas ended things with a 95-92 win.

 

 

 

POSITIVES:

 

Three-Point Shooting – One way in which the Aces were able to stay in this game was because of their three-point shooting. Riquna Williams’ four makes were crucial, and Plum’s additional two were just as important.  

That midrange us money for @JackieYoung3!#ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/CNgnK5TRSK

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 27, 2021

Turnovers – After dropping to the No. 2 spot in the WNBA regarding the fewest turnovers per game, Las Vegas did a decent job taking care of the ball today, which was a big deal due to the Storm’s ability to score in transition. They’d finish with just 12, which included an extra five minutes of overtime.

 

NEGATIVES:

 

Offensive Rebounds – Seattle had eight offensive rebounds and won some critical 50/50 balls down the stretch of the game that earned them a few extra points. However, lots of these were due to bad bounces and unlucky scenarios, which happen from time to time.

 

The Aces will travel to Los Angeles on June 30th to face the Los Angeles Sparks. Tune into Prime Video at 7:30 p.m. to follow the action live, and remember to check back for the next recap.

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