Seattle Visits Las Vegas with 1-0 Series Lead
Seattle Storm (22-14, 10-8 Western Conference) at Las Vegas Aces (26-10, 15-3 Western Conference)
Las Vegas; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Seattle Storm visit the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA playoffs semifinals with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Storm won the last meeting 76-73 on Aug. 28 led by 26 points from Jewell Loyd, while Chelsea Gray scored 21 points for the Aces.
The Aces are 15-3 against Western Conference opponents. Las Vegas ranks third in the WNBA with 28.4 defensive rebounds per game led by A'ja Wilson averaging 7.5.
The Storm's record in Western Conference action is 10-8. Seattle is 4-1 in one-possession games.
TOP PERFORMERS: Gray is averaging 13.7 points, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals for the Aces. Kelsey Plum is averaging 20.6 points over the last 10 games for Las Vegas.
Sue Bird is averaging 7.6 points and six assists for the Storm. Breanna Stewart is averaging 23.9 points over the last 10 games for Seattle.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aces: 7-3, averaging 90.0 points, 33.4 rebounds, 20.9 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.2 points per game.
Storm: 7-3, averaging 89.3 points, 34.1 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 7.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.9 points.
INJURIES: Aces: None listed.
Storm: Mercedes Russell: out (headaches), Gabby Williams: day to day (concussion).