Las Vegas Aces host Seattle Storm in WNBA playoffs: preview, predictions, matchups, and schedule

The Las Vegas Aces are hoping to become the first WNBA team to win three consecutive championships since the Houston Comets won four in row in the league’s first seasons. It’s a tall task, and when they began the season with a 6-6 record, it appeared unlikely, but with four Olympians and the best player in the world, they can never be counted out.

Tiffany Hayes has been a key addition off the bench; Hayes is a leading candidate for Sixth Player of the Year, and provided a much-needed spark after slow starts, while Kelsey Plum has found a rhythm post-Olympics.

Aces-Storm Playoff Schedule:
Game 1 will be in Las Vegas on Sunday, September 22nd at 10pm (on ESPN)
Game 2 will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday, September 24th at 9:30pm (on ESPN)
Game 3, if necessary, will be in Seattle on Friday, September 27th, time TBD (on ESPN2)

Regular Season Series: Las Vegas won 3-1

Aces: A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray
Storm: Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor

The Aces have been better than the Storm this season — and especially since the break. Since the Olympics, the Aces are 11-5, while the Storm are 8-7 and have had undeniable moments of frustration after letdown losses. The Storm also haven’t had many marquee wins this year— they’re 4-10 against the top 4 teams in the league this season, and have largely feasted on non-playoff teams despite how talented this roster might be on paper.

There’s also the issue of health. The Aces finished the season at full strength, but Seattle was without Jewell Loyd (knee) and Ezi Magbegor (concussion) for the last few games. Storm head coach Noelle Quinn has confirmed that Loyd will be good to go, but it’s not certain if she’ll be at full strength. If Magbegor is to miss any time, Seattle is a different team defensively.

Nneka Ogwumike has been playing at an MVP level this season, and Diggins-Smith has been much better since the break, averaging 18.5 points (on 47.6% shooting) and 6.3 assists. Loyd’s efficiency is still not quite there (she’s shooting 35.7% since the Olympics) but she’s always an offensive threat, particularly in late-game situations.

The big challenge for Las Vegas this season has been the guard play alongside A’ja Wilson — Plum, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray each took a step back in the early parts of the year, and while they’ve all been better of late, their postseason production and efficiency remain question marks. Seattle might be able to steal one in Las Vegas, but I’d be surprised if Aces can’t close this one out.

That’s going to be the challenge for any team facing the Aces this postseason, and it could be an insurmountable one. Wilson is having a career year — and one of the best in league history — averaging 26.9 points on 51.8% shooting. She’s not going to be stopped, but Wilson has to be somewhat contained for the Storm to have a chance. Magbegor’s status going forward is particularly important for this very reason.