The Las Vegas Aces are hoping to develop into the primary WNBA workforce to win three consecutive championships for the reason that Houston Comets received 4 in row within the league’s first seasons. It’s a tall job, and after they started the season with a 6-6 document, it appeared unlikely, however with 4 Olympians and the perfect participant on the earth, they will by no means be counted out.
Tiffany Hayes has been a key addition off the bench; Hayes is a leading candidate for Sixth Player of the Year, and supplied a much-needed spark after gradual begins, whereas Kelsey Plum has discovered a rhythm post-Olympics.
Aces-Storm Playoff Schedule:
Recreation 1 will probably be in Las Vegas on Sunday, September twenty second at 10pm (on ESPN)
Recreation 2 will probably be in Las Vegas on Tuesday, September twenty fourth at 9:30pm (on ESPN)
Recreation 3, if vital, will probably be in Seattle on Friday, September twenty seventh, time TBD (on ESPN2)
Common Season Collection: Las Vegas received 3-1
Notable Gamers:
Aces: A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Younger, Chelsea Grey
Storm: Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor
Prediction: Aces in three.
The Aces have been higher than the Storm this season — and particularly for the reason that break. Because the Olympics, the Aces are 11-5, whereas the Storm are 8-7 and have had plain moments of frustration after letdown losses. The Storm additionally haven’t had many marquee wins this yr— they’re 4-10 in opposition to the highest 4 groups within the league this season, and have largely feasted on non-playoff groups regardless of how proficient this roster may be on paper.
There’s additionally the difficulty of well being. The Aces completed the season at full power, however Seattle was with out Jewell Loyd (knee) and Ezi Magbegor (concussion) for the previous couple of video games. Storm head coach Noelle Quinn has confirmed that Loyd will probably be good to go, nevertheless it’s not sure if she’ll be at full power. If Magbegor is to overlook any time, Seattle is a special workforce defensively.
Nneka Ogwumike has been taking part in at an MVP stage this season, and Diggins-Smith has been a lot better for the reason that break, averaging 18.5 factors (on 47.6% capturing) and 6.3 assists. Loyd’s effectivity continues to be not fairly there (she’s capturing 35.7% for the reason that Olympics) however she’s at all times an offensive menace, notably in late-game conditions.
The massive problem for Las Vegas this season has been the guard play alongside A’ja Wilson — Plum, Jackie Younger, and Chelsea Grey every took a step again within the early elements of the yr, and whereas they’ve all been higher of late, their postseason manufacturing and effectivity stay query marks. Seattle may be capable of steal one in Las Vegas, however I’d be stunned if Aces can’t shut this one out.
Key Query: Can anybody decelerate A’ja Wilson?
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Picture by Steph Chambers/Getty Photographs
That’s going to be the problem for any workforce going through the Aces this postseason, and it might be an insurmountable one. Wilson is having a profession yr — and probably the greatest in league historical past — averaging 26.9 factors on 51.8% capturing. She’s not going to be stopped, however Wilson must be considerably contained for the Storm to have an opportunity. Magbegor’s standing going ahead is especially essential for this very purpose.
