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After the No. 2-seed Las Vegas Aces ran away from the No. 7-seed Seattle Storm in Game 1 of their first-round WNBA playoff matchup, the series shifts to Seattle for Game 2 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Can the Storm stay alive and send the series to a Game 3 back in Vegas? Or, will the Aces secure their 18th-straight win and sweep their way into the semifinals?
What do the Storm need to stay alive?
Not to be too dramatic, but honestly, they need a miracle.
As the No. 7 seed facing a team that not only has won 17-straight games but also has the (likely) MVP, Seattle is going to need a lot of good fortune on their side.
The Storm honestly didn’t have a terrible game on paper in Game 1; they also didn’t have one nearly as good as the Aces did. In most of the major statistical categories, the Storm were within striking distance of the Aces, but they were ultimately burned behind the 3-point line, on defense and by careless turnovers, with those inadequacies ultimately propelling Vegas to a dominant win in what otherwise could’ve been a relatively close game.
Now, the Storm must lay it all out there in Game 2, playing with a chip on their shoulder in front of their home fans.
In addition to attempting, likely futilely, to find a way to contain A’ja Wilson, Seattle must slow down Vegas from behind the 3-point line, limit careless fouls and protect the ball. In Game 1, the Aces shot 14-for-29 behind the 3-point line while the Storm lagged, shooting 7-for-18. They also sent the Aces to the line for 21 free throw attempts compared to just 11 of their own. They also gave up 21 points off of 13 turnovers. None of these things can occur in the WNBA playoffs, especially versus a championship-proven team like the Aces that lives for this time of the year.
The Storm will also need their big-time players to serve up big-time performances. Gabby Williams had a fairly solid Game 1, tallying 16 points, three boards, two assists and a steal. But to win Game 2, they’re going to need even more. That’s particularly true for Skylar Diggins, who posted only 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting with two assists and two boards in Game 1, finishing with a plus/minus of -22.
If the Storm can come out with do-or-die fire, have their veterans wake up and at least right most of their wrongs from Game 1, they’ll have an opportunity to put the pressure back on the Aces.
What do the Aces need to seal the deal?
Whatever they did to win the last 17 games, the Aces need to keep doing.
They have been nothing short of unstoppable since the beginning of August, and they look like they are nowhere near slowing down. Their defense has been suffocating, their offense has been immaculate and they look like a team that can seriously make another run at the ring this season.
If the Aces can go into Seattle on Tuesday and play the same style of ball they have been playing, it will be hard for the Storm to outplay them.
The Aces did a wonderful job on Sunday night of making the most of what Seattle gave them. Vegas was red-hot from 3, capitalized on defense by translating turnovers into points and bullied Seattle as they bulldozed their way to the free throw line.
As long as A’ja and company can replicate a similar performance in Game 2, Vegas will punch their ticket into the semifinals with ease. There isn’t much to critique with this Aces squad right now; it will be interesting to see how this team continues to roll.
No. 2-seed Las Vegas Aces (1-0) vs. No. 7-seed Seattle Storm (0-1)
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