The Las Vegas Aces suffered their second defeat of the 2024 WNBA season, dropping a 102-82 decision to the Seattle Storm to fall to a 2-2 record. The Seattle team dominated throughout the game, taking an early lead and maintaining control with sharp shooting on both the perimeter and inside the paint.
Seattle opened the game with a 34-20 advantage after the first quarter, shooting an impressive 60% from the field and 50% beyond the arc. In contrast, the Aces managed just 43.9% accuracy on field goals and 36% on three-pointers, failing to keep pace with the Storm’s offensive efficiency.
Elizabeth Kitley Emerges as Bright Spot in Limited Playing Time
Among the struggles of the Las Vegas offense, rookie center Elizabeth Kitley provided a promising contribution, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds in just 16 minutes on the court. Kitley’s performance marked her longest appearance of the season, as she continues to work her way back from a serious injury.
Selected 24th overall in the second round of the 2024 WNBA draft, Kitley joined the Aces after a stellar collegiate career at Virginia Tech, where she set Atlantic Coast Conference records for both career points (2,709) and rebounds (1,506). She missed the initial portion of the season following a torn ACL in March 2024, making this her official rookie year after signing with Las Vegas on February 3.
So far, Kitley’s average stands at 4.3 points per game across three appearances, but her recent outing suggests she could earn more playing time as the season progresses.
Coach Becky Hammon Explains Increased Minutes for Kitley
Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon indicated that the decision to increase Kitley’s minutes during Sunday’s game stemmed from Seattle’s defensive scheme, which neglected to guard Kiah Stokes. This created an opportunity to deploy Kitley in a way that maximized her impact.
They just weren’t guarding Kiah, and we were playing 5-on-4, so I went with Kitley,
Hammon said after the loss.
We love Kiah’s defense, but some teams just don’t play her. … I thought our bench gave us solid minutes. That was a bright spot for us.
—Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces Head Coach
Kitley’s presence forced Seattle to adjust their defensive approach, as she moved effectively in the post and demonstrated skill in positioning and rebounding.
Future Role for Kitley Depends on Continued Strong Play
Given her recovery from injury, the Aces have been cautious in managing Kitley’s minutes early in the season. However, if she maintains her level of performance in limited time, she could become a key contributor off the bench. Her height and versatility make her a potential candidate for a sixth-player role, adding depth to the Las Vegas roster as they seek to regain momentum moving forward.
The team’s future rotations and strategies are likely to incorporate more of Kitley’s minutes as she continues to prove her capabilities within the WNBA environment, particularly if Las Vegas looks to improve their consistency on both ends of the court.