A’ja Wilson, Aces Rally to Win Game 1 Against Storm After Slow Start

In a thrilling playoff opener, the Las Vegas Aces overcame a rocky start to secure a 78-67 victory over the Seattle Storm. The match took place on the same day that Aces star A’ja Wilson was honored as the unanimous WNBA MVP.

Despite a challenging first half, where Wilson scored just four points on 1-of-8 shooting, she rebounded brilliantly in the second half. With the support of guard Tiffany Hayes off the bench, Wilson finished the game with impressive stats: 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

Reflecting on her performance, Wilson remarked, “The basketball gods have a funny way of showing me that sometimes you’ve just got to get out of the mud. I love doing that because it keeps my mind going. My teammates continue to never let me doubt myself.” Her resilience was evident as she adapted her game, stating, “In the second half, the game kind of settled down for me and I really started to dissect the defense.”

Prior to the game, Wilson experienced a heartfelt moment when she watched a video tribute featuring former MVPs Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Lauren Jackson. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert attended the game to present Wilson, now 28 years old, with her third MVP trophy.

Last season, Wilson finished third in a closely contested MVP race, which was punctuated by one voter’s surprising fourth-place ballot for her. Determined to leave no doubt this time around, she averaged an astounding 26.9 points per game during the season, becoming the first player to surpass 1,000 points in a single season.

Seattle faced additional challenges without forward/center Ezi Magbegor, who was sidelined due to a concussion. Despite this setback, the Storm managed to contain Wilson early, holding the Aces to a mere 2-of-18 shooting in the first quarter and trailing 18-9.

However, a game-changing performance from Hayes in the second quarter turned the tide for the Aces. While Wilson didn’t attempt a shot during this period, Hayes took charge, scoring 12 points before halftime and ending the game with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

This matchup held special significance for Hayes, as her mother, Dorothy “Jenny” Hayes, made her first-ever airplane trip from Florida to watch her daughter play. Throughout Hayes’ collegiate career at UConn and her time with the Atlanta Dream, Jenny remained close to her, often relocating to support her daughter.

Jenny, who has openly spoken about her fear of flying, was determined to witness her daughter’s playoff performance, appreciating the moment immensely. Hayes expressed her gratitude, saying, “I want to shout out my mom. She was my coach all throughout growing up. She had never flown before, and she flew out here. I’m glad she was able to come.”

After briefly retiring following the previous season, Hayes rejoined the Aces in May. Having primarily come off the bench this year, she is a contender for the Sixth Player of the Year award. Hayes has yet to win a WNBA title, despite her success at UConn, and is hopeful that the Aces’ current roster can secure victory.

The Aces, who are two-time reigning WNBA champions, will look to continue their playoff success as they prepare to host Game 2 on Tuesday. Wilson praised Hayes’ impact on the team, stating, “She gets us going; her energy is always there. That’s our game-changer. She’s really one of our X factors.”

While Hayes has stepped up, Wilson remains the Aces’ focal point. Even while struggling offensively, her defensive contributions were significant, particularly in the third quarter where she scored 15 points—the highest single-quarter total in her playoff career. In the fourth, she helped to limit the Storm to just 2 points.

Seattle coach Noelle Quinn acknowledged Wilson’s transformative impact on the game, stating, “The MVP MVP’ed. She’s MVP for a reason.”