A four-eyed storm in Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson ended the Seattle Storm’s playoff run prematurely.
Plum and Wilson combined for 53 points, towing the defending champions Las Vegas Aces to a 83-76 Game 2 victory to complete an opening-round sweep of the Storm in the WNBA playoffs.
ADVANCED ??
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2024
The @LVAces are returning to the Semi-Finals after defeating the Seattle Storm 83-76 in Game 2 of the Best of 3 opening round#WelcometotheW | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/zyVU52gI5w
Plum atoned for a lackluster Game 1 outing with a 29-point explosion in a series-clinching dub, tying her playoff career-high with the reigning MVP Wilson imposing her might anew with a monster 24-point, 13-rebound double-double.
The @LVAces battled through all 4Qs to lock in the 83-76 W over the Seattle Storm in Game 2 ?
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2024
Kelsey Plum delivered a clutch 29 PTS, 6 REB, and 3 AST performance, sending her squad to the next round!#WelcometotheW | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/qxOva99r3G
It will be the sixth straight semifinal appearance for the Aces, who are now six wins away from securing an unprecented third straight title and set up a highly-anticipated playoff rematch with the top seed New York Liberty.
The Aces saw their 16-point lead disappear after a 8-2 Seattle run to open the fourth gave them their first taste of lead, 65-64 with 7:58 seconds left.
Gabby Williams (16 PTS) flexes her athleticism, rising up and finishing strong through the contact 😤
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2024
SEA-LVA on ESPN 📺 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/YzfH5USf4Z
But Las Vegas responded with their own 7-0 blitz, capped off by a Jackie Young lay to restore order for the three-peat seaking Aces at 71-65 midway through the regulation.
Right on TIME! Jackie Young three ball pushes Aces to 4-point lead in the 4th ??
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2024
LIVE on ESPN 📺 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/1gSQTe43rv
Holding a narrow 71-70 lead, the Aces shifted to high gears and outscored the Storm, 12-6, in the final 5:20 seconds of the game to close out their rivals at home.
Earlier, the Aces raced to a strong 23-7 start with Wilson waxing hot early for 12 points in the opening quarter.
A'ja Wilson goes to work, hitting the jumper after a slick spin 🌪?
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 25, 2024
She's up to 12 PTS in the 1Q!
SEA-LVA on ESPN 📺 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/kubZ5KOHTb
But Seattle clawed back and tied the game at 49-apiece with Jewel Lloyd hitting a pair from the charity stripes as 6:14 ticks left in the third period.
Gabby Williams paced the Storm with a playoff career-high 20 points as Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor combined for 30 markers.
Comeback Player of the Year Skylar Diggins-Smith had 13 markers for Seattle, who crashed out of the playoffs after missing the postseason last year.
