Storm's comeback falls short against Aces

Percy Allen, The Seattle Times on Jun 1, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

SEATTLE — After falling behind by 17 points early in the fourth quarter, the Storm trailed by three with 13.3 seconds left when coach Noelle Quinn called timeout to draw up an offensive play.

In previous years, Quinn often gave the ball to Jewell Loyd with the game on the line and she built a reputation as one of the most clutch performers in WNBA history who has made six game-winning shots in the final 24 seconds, including two 3-point buzzer-beaters.

However, Loyd, who was traded to Las Vegas in the offseason, suited up for the Aces on Sunday against her former team.

On the game’s biggest play, Skylar Diggins threw inside to rookie center Dominique Malonga, who missed a fadeaway midrange jumper over A’ja Wilson’s outstretched hands.

Loyd collected the rebound and drew a foul before canning two free throws that sealed the Storm’s 75-70 loss in front of 10,201 at Climate Pledge Arena.

“I have to look at the film, but I feel like Dom got hit on that. But definitely getting a two down three is a good look,” Quinn said. “I feel like also Erica (Wheeler) got fouled, but again I have to take a look at it.

“But mostly, the best available (play), knowing Vegas didn’t have the timeout left and we still had a reset (timeout) left.”

Seemingly, Wilson blew up the play when she bumped into a cutting Wheeler and knocked her hard to the floor.

“It was not the play,” said Malonga when asked if she was the No. 1 option on the pivotal play. “But it was an opportunity. … So, I just shot it. I had the opportunity and it didn’t fall.”

Among the many must-do items for the Storm, finding a late-game scorer is high on the priority list.

Based strictly on shooting percentages, Gabby Williams would have been Seattle’s best option Sunday.

The seventh-year wing scored a game-high 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting, including a career-high-tying four 3-pointers. She’s shooting 47.1% behind the arc, which is tied for fifth in the league.

“Everyone knew that we needed to get more threes up this year and to get a better percentage,” Williams said. “We saw that was our Achilles heel last year. So, I think it is intentional, trying to look for those threes.

“But I think also the way I’m getting them this year. I’m getting them in better spacing. I’m getting them in better movement. I have time to get my feet set when the defense is rotating, and I think that’s helping my percentage. So, it’s more so just how we’re moving the ball, that’s allowing me to get these shots.”

In the first half, Williams carried the Storm offensively while scoring 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including three 3-pointers.

No other Seattle player had more than four points and the Storm trailed 44-32 at the break.

“This is what I’ve envisioned for her to just completely be herself, play free, be a playmaker and get to the rim,” Quinn said. “The three-pointer, adding that is how you get better in this league. You have to come back with something different every year … and the three has been that for her.

“People are guarding her different. Now things are going to open up on the floor differently. I’m super happy with her progress and it’s really keeping us in games.”

Despite Williams’ heroics, the Storm were outplayed for three quarters and seemingly poised for a blowout defeat in the rematch against the Aces after throttling them 102-82 a week earlier.

“In that first game, we had deflections,” Williams said. “We were getting stops one after the other, and that was feeding into our offense, and that was allowing us to move the ball easily because they weren’t able to set their defense up.

“Today, us not being able to get stops, allowed them to set their defense and allowed them to take us out of our offense. We weren’t moving the ball as well.”

Las Vegas built a 64-47 lead with 9:41 left before Seattle battled back thanks to Wheeler and Malonga, who each scored eight points in the fourth quarter.

Diggins finished with 11 points, four rebounds and five assists. However, she had more turnovers (a season-high-tying six) than field goals (five).

“The last few games we’ve been kind of careless with the basketball,” Quinn said, noting Seattle’s 19 turnovers led to 21 points. “We have to shore that up a little bit.”

Wilson scored 19 points for Las Vegas (4-2), which led a balanced attack. Jackie Young tallied 12 while Chelsea Gray, Aaliyah Nye and Loyd each had 10.

Meanwhile, the Storm (3-4), who started 3-1, lost their third straight game and dropped their first of six Commissioner’s Cup contests.

“These games are going to give us the reps and experience that we need for the mid to the end of the season,” Quinn said. “No moral victories, but there were things that we were doing pretty well. Obviously, we have to score the basketball.

“For Vegas to only have 75 points, that’s doable for us and for us to be in a one-possession game and have an opportunity. Being down 17 points and clawing back, to me it’s not (time) to panic, but it’s definitely showing where we have to stay consistent.”