Jewell Loyd made a poignant return to the Seattle Storm on May 23, 2025, when the Las Vegas Aces faced the Storm at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. This marked Loyd’s first game back at the arena where she spent a decade and became a franchise legend, capturing two WNBA titles. Despite her heartfelt homecoming and a strong personal start, Loyd’s Las Vegas Aces suffered a heavy 102-82 defeat against the Storm, demonstrating the complex mixture of emotion and competition on display that night.
A Celebrated Homecoming for a Seattle Legend
Jewell Loyd’s return to Seattle stirred deep emotions throughout the arena as she reentered the Climate Pledge Arena wearing the Las Vegas Aces jersey. A former cornerstone of the Storm’s golden era, Loyd was their No. 1 draft pick in 2015 and won championships in 2018 and 2020 alongside franchise icons Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart. To honor Loyd’s impact, the Storm played a tribute video during warmups celebrating her six All-Star appearances and status as the third-leading scorer in franchise history. Fans responded with standing ovations both after the video and during her introduction with the Aces.
Reflecting on the moment, Loyd shared,
“The fans have always been really great here. You spend 10 years somewhere, meet a lot of people, and build a lot of relationships. So it was nice to see my family out there too. My dad came. It’s cool,”
highlighting the personal significance of this homecoming.
Legacy Remembered by Teammates and Coaches
Despite the eventual loss, Loyd’s legacy with the Seattle Storm remains firmly recognized by former teammates and coaches who praised her influence and contributions to the franchise. Noelle Quinn, the current Storm head coach, acknowledged,
“Jewell is a two-time champ here. She did amazing things for the Storm. She’s at the top in a lot of categories. She’s an All-Star and All-WNBA. She solidified herself as one of the greats.”
Ezi Magbegor, a teammate of Loyd’s during the 2020 WNBA bubble, recalled the veteran’s mentorship role, saying,
“Jewell would say ‘I’m her rookie,’ but also followed that with action too. She checked in on me and challenged me. What she did for Seattle is amazing. I hope people recognize that.”
Former Storm players Alysha Clark and Sami Whitcomb echoed the emotional weight of returning to Seattle after time away. Whitcomb explained,
“It was really emotional for me because Seattle gave me my first shot. I’m sure for Jewell it will be the same. She probably thought she’d spend her whole career here.”
Game Recap: A Strong Start and a Steep Defeat
The game itself began with Loyd fueling the Las Vegas Aces’ offense, scoring the team’s first nine points in the opening quarter, including two three-pointers and a three-point play. However, Seattle’s fast-paced, efficient offense remained relentless throughout, highlighted by a 60% shooting clip and 32 assists on 42 field goals. The Storm scored 34 points in the first quarter and dominated the rest of the game to secure their first 100-point game since the previous May.
The Aces struggled to maintain pace, with Loyd ending the night scoring 14 points from a 4-for-15 shooting performance and 3-for-8 from three-point range. Supporting scorers A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young added 15 and 14 points respectively, but it was not enough to overcome Seattle’s advantage. Seattle led by as many as 27 points en route to a 20-point victory, marking one of coach Becky Hammon’s worst losses in her four seasons with the Aces.
Resilience in the Face of Setbacks
Postgame, Loyd candidly addressed the emotions stirred by her return and the game’s outcome, stating,
“Yeah, I watched some bits and pieces. You know, my teammates were celebrating me, which is really nice and cool. Maybe I’ll watch more of it later, but right now, I’m really trying to focus on the game as much as possible and not get too emotional here or there. But no, I really appreciate it.”
This response showed her determination to concentrate on the season ahead despite the emotional weight of the night.
Noelle Quinn, maintaining focus on the Storm’s objectives, described the team’s mindset going into the matchup:
“It was the Storm vs. the Aces and we knew we were playing a very good team. We have vets in the room who have been in different types of environments. Our theme last game was discipline, and if we’re talking about getting better, I don’t think there was any drop-off in that. The focus remains us.”
Implications and the Road Ahead for the Aces
The defeat marked the Aces’ first non-winning start after four games since 2021, signaling an early-season stumble for a squad that had become accustomed to dominance. Nevertheless, with star players like A’ja Wilson leading the effort, the team retains the potential to reverse this slow start. The loss to Seattle serves as a reminder that the WNBA competition remains fierce and that momentum can shift quickly.
For Jewell Loyd, the emotional return to Seattle not only honored her past accomplishments but also underscored the bittersweet nature of professional sports, where legacy and rivalry often intersect. As the season progresses, Loyd and the Aces will aim to channel this experience into renewed focus and success on the court.