The Aces topped by the Storm, 90-83

The Las Vegas Aces (5-7)  took on the Seattle Storm (8-5) at home.

The Aces welcomed A’ja Wilson back to the lineup. As recent as an hour before game time she was listed as questionable.

Wilson received a standing ovation from the crowd in player introductions. Alysha Clark of the Seattle Storm received a warm welcome, as she spent two seasons with the Aces.

A’ja Wilson got off to a quick start in the first quarter, the Aces seemed to be firing on all cylinders with their leader back on the court.

In the first quarter, the Aces had the numbers down the court, but Skylar Diggins and Seattle got hot, leading by as much as 10 with 2:30 left in the quarter. To close out the quarter, rookie Aaliyah Nye got the friendly bounce on a three-pointer from the corner to pull the Aces to within two, 23-21.

To start the second quarter, Aaliyah Nye capitalized off the momentum of her last three-pointer to shoot another. A’ja Wilson made a magnificent play to the basket to draw the foul and complete the two-point play, bringing the Aces into within one, 29-28. To end the half, the Aces stormed back to take the lead, 45-38 behind a Jackie Young push.

At one point in the third quarter, the Aces converted on back-to-back shots, leading 56-48. With 4:19 left in the quarter, Kiah Stokes was able to get the layup, putting the Aces up 61-54. With under 2:50 left in the quarter, the Storm went on a 6-0 run to cut the Aces lead 63-60.

Before the start of the fourth quarter, Jackie Young said, “We just gotta stay locked in on the defensive end.”

In the fourth, both teams traded shots. With 5:00 left in the game, the Aces were down 80-82, after two made free-throws from Jackie Young. Erica Wheeler was on fire for the Storm in the closing minutes of the game.

The Storm pulled away in the closing minutes of the game, getting the win over the Aces 90-83.

In the post-game presser, Aces coach Becky Hammon said, “Our defense was atrocious in the third quarter with the first five (minutes). The bigger issue here is our defense.”

The Aces meet Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at home on Sunday at 3pm.