On Sunday in Seattle, Jewell Loyd led the Las Vegas Aces to a 75-70 victory over the Seattle Storm, hitting two crucial free throws with 6.1 seconds remaining. Despite giving up most of a 17-point lead, the Aces managed to hold on, with Loyd playing a key role in sealing the win.
Key Performances Drive the Game
A’ja Wilson contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, and three steals for Las Vegas, while Jackie Young added 12 points. Loyd, who joined the Aces in January after a decade with the Storm, finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. Rookie Aaliyah Nye also scored a season-high 10 points, matching Chelsea Gray’s output for the team.
Seattle’s Dominique Malonga led the Storm’s late fourth-quarter rally. The 19-year-old rookie, who was the No. 2 pick in April’s draft and part of the trade package involving Loyd, scored the first eight points in the final period. Erica Wheeler added eight points to help cut the deficit to three. Gabby Williams made a layup with 37.8 seconds left, and after forcing a shot-clock violation with 13.1 seconds remaining, the Storm had a chance to take the lead. However, Malonga missed a turn-around jumper over Wilson, who was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
Seattle’s Struggles and Team Contributions
Williams finished with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and Skylar Diggins scored 11 points but struggled with her shooting, converting only 5 of 15 shots and committing six of Seattle’s 19 turnovers. Nneka Ogwumike recorded nine points and eight rebounds on 4-for-13 shooting. The Storm, who defeated Las Vegas 102-82 just last Sunday, have now lost three games in a row, dropping their record to 3-4.
The Implications for Both Teams
The close win extends the Aces’ record to 4-2 as they continue to integrate new players and build momentum. Jewell Loyd’s performance in this matchup highlights her importance to her current team after the midseason move. Meanwhile, Seattle’s young players like Malonga and Williams demonstrated their potential but still need to overcome late-game execution challenges to stop the losing streak.