The highly anticipated moment has finally arrived: it’s time for postseason basketball.
The Las Vegas Aces, seeded No. 4 (27-13), will kick off their WNBA title defense against the Seattle Storm, seeded No. 5 (25-15). The opening round consists of a best-of-three series, with Las Vegas hosting Game 1 and Game 2, and a potential deciding Game 3 to be held in Seattle. The current rule of playing the final game on the lower-seeded team’s home court may not be ideal, but it’s what we have to abide by.
Let’s analyze the matchup and predict which team has the edge.
How the Aces can secure victory
Las Vegas is expected to be and should be the favorite in this series. The Aces have a strong reputation, and their performance since the Olympic break, going 11-5, speaks volumes, with only the Minnesota Lynx having a better record during that period.
A’ja Wilson’s exceptional play has been a highlight, and the offensive strategy revolves around feeding her the ball as much as possible. The key is to focus on Wilson until the opposing team finds a way to contain her. So far, no one has been able to consistently stop her or the Aces in critical moments, including the Storm. In head-to-head matchups, Las Vegas has prevailed, winning three out of four games.
With Wilson leading the offense, supported by Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum in the backcourt, and the advantage of playing at home, the goal for the Aces is to secure a two-game sweep in Las Vegas.
How the Storm can secure victory
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Seattle faces an uphill battle, but they possess key players to make a significant impact: Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. This trio forms a formidable “Big 3” for the Storm.
Scoring will be crucial for Seattle in this series. The Aces led the league in points per game with 86.4, so the Storm must find a way to match their scoring output. Targeting Kelsey Plum as a potential weakness in the Las Vegas defense could be the best strategy. Putting pressure on Plum defensively may also affect her offensive performance.
It may not be the ideal scenario, but as the defending champions, Seattle must exploit any advantage they can find.
No. 4-seed Las Vegas Aces (27-13) vs. No. 5-seed Seattle Storm (25-15)
Game 1: Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces
When: Sunday, Sept. 22 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV
How to watch: ESPN
Game 2: Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces
When: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV
How to watch: ESPN
Game 3 (if necessary): Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm
When: Thursday, Sept. 16 (time TBD)
Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA
How to watch: ESPN 2
