Las Vegas Aces Defeat Seattle Storm To Advance To WNBA Semifinals

The Las Vegas Aces kept their playoff run alive Thursday night in Sin City! Their commanding win over the Seattle Storm, 74-73, secured their spot in the WNBA semifinals.

Strong on both ends of the court, the Aces showcased their depth and dominance to close out the best-of-3 series and advance to the next round, beginning on Sunday, Sept. 21.

The Aces edged out the Storm in an exciting 74-73 Game 3 victory. With this win, the team secured its 7th straight trip to the WNBA Semifinals.

A'ja Wilson was on fire! She scored 38 points, which tied her playoff career high. She had 25 points in the second half. Jackie Young added 14 points, including a clutch put-back in the final 12.4 seconds, and Chelsea Gray scored 12 points. 

During the postgame press conference, head coach Becky Hammon shared some insight into what it took to get this win.

"Obviously, trying to get A'ja the ball. Trying to get certain people off A'ja, although tonight, it didn't matter who guarded her, she was just on a heater," she told the media. "Get the ball to her and get out of the way, let her go be her." 

The Aces will be facing the Indiana Fever starting on Sunday in the best of 5 Semifinal series. Hammon said Indiana "hasn't seen the real Aces yet," because "they caught us when we were a bit in turmoil" earlier in the season.

Hammon also talked a little about Young, and some more about Wilson during the presser.

"Jackie is a basketball player. She knows how to make plays. She knows how to move without the ball. She knows how to make things happen when it's not necessarily for her," she said. "You can really put her anywhere and she figures out ways to impact the game." 

Wilson tied her playoff high during Thursday's game with 38 points. Hammon spoke about how she can really deliver under pressure.

"A'ja, like you're not...her gears and her calm under pressure is next level and I think that's an elite skill set," she explained. "It's also her God-given nature to be calm in those moments and composed and know that she can deliver whenever she has to deliver."

On Thursday, the WNBA announced that Wilson, along with Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith, have been named the 2025 Kia Co-Defensive Players of the year. This is the first time in league history that the DPOY has been shared by multiple athletes.

This is Wilson's third honor, also earning DPOY award in 2022 and 2023. She's the only DPOY in franchise history and is the 8th player in WNBA history to take home the award more than once.

Before the start of the game on Thursday night, Wilson's parents accepted the award in their daughter's honor in a short ceremony held center court.

According to a press release sent to The Blast by the Aces, "Wilson led the league in blocks per game (2.3) for the fourth season in a row and her fifth overall, while also finishing atop the league leaderboards in stocks, which combines the defensive measures of steals and blocks, with 3.9 per game, total stocks (156), defensive win shares (3.3) and defensive rating (96.0)."

Wilson also wrapped up the season ranked No. 2 in total blocks (92), No. 3 in total steals (64), defensive rebounds per game (7.9) and defensive rebound percentage (.249), and No. 4 in steals per game (1.6). She became the third player in WNBA history to lead the league in blocks in three or more seasons, joining Margo Dydek and Brittany Griner.

Their win against the Storm on Thursday night pushes the Aces into the WNBA Semifinals. This will be their 7th time in the Semifinals in 7 years. They'll be facing the Indiana Fever.

Because the Aces secured the No. 2 seed, Game 1 and 2 will be played at Michelob ULTRA Arena inside Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on September 21 and 23. Sunday's game will tip off at noon PT, and Tuesday's at 6:30 p.m. PT