For the penultimate regular season game of the two teams, the Seattle Storm received the Las Vegas Aces in a decisive duel, since Gabby Williams and her teammates could come back to equality in the event of victory…
Except that without two regular starters, Jewel Loyd and Ezi Magbegor, Seattle had a hard time keeping up with the offensive rhythm of the opposing quartet: A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young.
Impressive in their ball circulation and general skill, the two-time defending champions were already at +18 (46-28) in the middle of the second quarter, facing a Storm desperately looking for 3-pointers.
But by stepping up their defense and tightening up the game around A'ja Wilson, Seattle still managed to get back into the game. Behind a very complicated basket by Skylar Diggins-Smith, the Storm even took the lead (65-64) in the fourth quarter. Except that the Aces would turn off the lights, with a 19-2 in the process!
After the points, the rebounds!
It is therefore Las Vegas which wins (85-72) against Gabby Williams (14 points on 5/13 shooting, 5 rebounds and 5 assists) and therefore secures home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
It remains to be seen which opponent they will face because with Connecticut's new defeat (26-13) ahead, the Aces (27-12) can still hope to recover 3rd place in the standings, in the event of victory in their last match (Dallas), coupled with a defeat by the Sun (Chicago).
As for A'ja Wilsonin addition to the single-season points record, she also set the rebounds record last night, now at 451. She thus surpasses Angel Reese and will become the first player in WNBA history to finish the season with the most points, rebounds and blocks in the same season.
“That's cool”, she swept away, however, raising her eyes. “Well, I’m 6’4” and I play close to the rim, so hopefully I can get some rebounds for my team. But I’m not focused on getting rebounds. I’m focused on putting the ball in the basket.”
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers attempted; LF = Free throws made / Free throws attempted; O = Offensive rebound; D = Defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose balls; Ct: Blocks; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the court; Pts = Points; Eval: Player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
