Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson Propel Aces Past Storm to WNBA Semifinals

On September 25, the Las Vegas Aces secured their spot in the 2024 WNBA semifinals with a decisive 83-76 victory over the Seattle Storm. Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson were pivotal in this triumph, contributing a remarkable 53 points between them.

Plum delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a game-high 29 points at the Michelob ULTRA Arena. Meanwhile, Wilson, who recently earned the WNBA MVP title, added 24 points and 13 rebounds, including 18 points in a strong first half.

Aces head coach Becky Hammon emphasized the team’s dedication to winning. “It’s anybody on any given night,” she noted during the post-game press conference. “It’s just about winning.”

With this victory, the Aces, ranked No. 4, will face the top-seeded New York Liberty in the upcoming semifinals. The Liberty advanced by sweeping their first-round series, triumphing over the No. 8 Atlanta Dream with a 91-82 win in Brooklyn, New York, on the same day.

Plum reflected on the Aces’ strategy moving forward, stating, “We have to focus on what we do,” as they prepare for the matchup against the Liberty.

Throughout the game, the Aces dominated in the paint, outscoring the Storm 42-34. They also held a slight edge in fast break points, finishing 9-6, and led by as many as 16 points during the contest. The game featured only two lead changes, showcasing the Aces’ steady performance.

In addition to Plum and Wilson, Chelsea Gray made a significant contribution with 12 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. Plum also added six rebounds and three assists to her impressive scoreline.

For the Storm, Gabby Williams emerged as a key player, scoring 20 points. Nneka Ogwumike added a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Ezi Magbegor contributed 14 points. Veteran guard Skylar Diggins-Smith also played well, recording 13 points and 10 assists.

The Aces are set to take on the Liberty in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinals series on Saturday at Barclays Center.

In other WNBA action, the No. 6 Indiana Fever will face the No. 3 Connecticut Sun on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. EDT in Uncasville, Connecticut, in Game 2 of their first-round series. The Sun currently lead the series 1-0.

Additionally, the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx will host the No. 7 Phoenix Mercury at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the second game of their first-round series. The winner will advance to face either the Sun or the Fever in the semifinals.