Las Vegas, NV—In a thrilling matchup, the Seattle Storm clinched their sixth consecutive victory as they defeated the Las Vegas Aces with a final score of 78-65. Jewell Loyd showcased her prowess with an impressive performance, tallying 25 points and nine boards. Skylar Diggins-Smith emerged as a key player in the second half, chipping in 21 points along with seven assists.
Diggins-Smith’s pivotal moments came during Seattle’s crucial 11-2 run, where she scored nine points, including two critical 3-pointers and a three-point play. Her adept passing also set up Nneka Ogwumike for a key layup, extending Seattle’s lead to 74-61 with just over two minutes remaining in the game. Notably, Diggins-Smith capped off the scoring with a clutch basket with only 14 ticks left on the clock.
Seattle’s dominance was further highlighted by the stellar performances of Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor, each recording a double-double. Magbegor’s impressive stat line included 14 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, while Ogwumike poured in 12 points and 11 boards to the team’s victory.
Jewell Loyd’s remarkable consistency was once again on display as she extended her double-digit scoring streak to 51 games, marking the longest active streak in the league. Additionally, Loyd achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 5,000 career points during the game.
Despite a valiant effort from the Las Vegas Aces, led by A’ja Wilson’s 29 points and 11 rebounds, the team fell short against Seattle’s formidable defense down the stretch. Kelsey Plum chipped in 18 points to the Aces’ tally, while Jackie Young struggled to find her rhythm, finishing with just three points after a 1-of-12 shooting performance.
Seattle seized control early in the game, maintaining a solid 36-28 lead at halftime, thanks to Loyd’s 15 points and Magbegor’s contributions. The Aces faced difficulties on the offensive end, shooting just 29% from the field in the first half and committing 10 turnovers. Despite a strong effort from Plum, who led the Aces with 14 points, Wilson was limited to six points on 2-of-7 shooting in the first two quarters.
