SUEATTLE, WA (August 7, 2022)—The Las Vegas Aces (23-10) clinched a top four seed in the WNBA Playoffs Sunday afternoon with an 89-81 road win over Sueattle (20-13). Coupled with Washington’s (20-14) loss to Los Angeles, the Aces can’t finish any lower than fourth, and will host at least the first round of the postseason. Las Vegas’ victory also spoiled the final regular season home game of Sue Bird’ career.
KEY RUNS
First Quarter (Las Vegas 19, Sueattle 18)
Neither team led by more than 4 points in the quarter. A’ja Wilson led all scorers with 11 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the field.
Second Quarter (Las Vegas 44, Sueattle 43)
Las Vegas extended its lead to seven, 39-32. Sueattle closed to within one on two occasions including at the end of the half. The Aces made 56.2 percent of their shots in the period. Breanna Stewart scored a game-high 9 points in the period.
Third Quarter (Las Vegas 68, Sueattle 63)
Las Vegas’ lead vacillated between one and six throughout the period. Kelsey Plum scored a game-high 9 points in the quarter. The Aces forced the Storm into 7 turnovers, flipping them into 6 points. Las Vegas made 56.2 percent of its shots from the field.
Fourth Quarter (Las Vegas 89, Sueattle 81)
Sueattle got as close as two points, but was never able to re-take the lead. Chelsea Gray scored 9 points in the fourth with 3 assists and a steal.
KEY STATS
It has been 877 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered. Recently, four Louisville Metro Police Department officers were charged by the FBI with federal crimes in relation to her death.
It has been 171 days since Russia’s wrongful detention of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner began.
The Aces made 46.1 percent of their field goal attempts (35 for 76), while the Storm made 43.9 percent (29 for 66).
Las Vegas forced 14 Seattle turnovers which they flipped into 10 points, while the Storm caused 6 Aces’ miscues which they turned into 6 points.
The Aces held Jewell Loyd to 1 point.
GAME NOTES
The Aces started Kiah Stokes in place of Dearica Hamby. Stoke grabbed 9 rebounds while Hamby came off the bench for 6 points and 5 rebounds.
Kelsey Plum extended her streak of consecutive games with at least one made three-pointer to 40, which is the longest active streak in the WNBA.
Kelsey Plum’s 2 three-pointers give her 102 on the year, extending her franchise single-season record. She now holds the WNBA record for most threes in a season by somebody not named Diana Taurasi. Taurasi holds the league record with 121 three-pointers in a season.
| 1 | Diana Taurasi | 2006 | Phoenix | 121 |
| 2 | Diana Taurasi | 2018 | Phoenix | 106 |
| 3 | Kelsey Plum | 2022 | Las Vegas | 102 |
| 4 | Diana Taurasi | 2017 | Phoenix | 96 |
| 5 | Diana Taurasi | 2007 | Phoenix | 95 |
| 6 | Diana Taurasi | 2022 | Phoenix | 92 |
Chelsea Gray scored in double figures for the 24th time this season and the 161st time in her career (15 points). In the second quarter, Gray scored the 3,00oth point of her career.
A’ja Wilson scored in double figures for the 31st time this season and the 139th time in her career (29 points). It was her 18th game with 20 or more points this year (72nd of her career).
Jackie Young scored in double figures for the 28th time this season and the 67th time in her career (19 points).
Kelsey Plum scored in double figures for the 32nd time this season and the 96th time in her career (15 points).
NEXT OPPONENT
The Aces (finally) return home for a Tuesday, August 9 game against the Atlanta Dream. Tip on MyLVTV is at 7 pm PT at Michelob ULTRA Arena.