Led by Stewart, Storm begin title defense with 97-83 win over Aces

May 15, 2021, 2:42 PM

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Associated Press

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) – Breanna Stewart had 28 points and 13 rebounds, Jewell Loyd added 22 points and the Seattle Storm opened defense of their WNBA title with a 97-83 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.

Storm 97, Aces 83: Box Score

J3WELL 🤩#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/KDypCI990U

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 15, 2021

The rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals in the Florida bubble was a celebration for the Storm complete with a ring ceremony and championship banner unveiling as Seattle tries to become the first team to repeat as WNBA champs since Los Angeles in 2001 and 2002.

😍😍😍 @jewellloyd > @breannastewart #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/y3o6LN0T5H

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 15, 2021

Even with an overhauled roster, Seattle looked the part of a championship contender in the opener. Seattle trailed by as many as nine in the opening quarter, but outscored Las Vegas 45-31 in the middle two quarters to take control.

A’ja Wilson, last year’s league MVP, led Las Vegas with 24 points and Liz Cambage added 16 in her return to the WNBA after sitting out last season.

The Aces reached last year’s finals on the strength Wilson’s season. But the return of Cambage is a big reason why Las Vegas was the preseason favorite in poll of league general manager and held the No. 1 spot in the first AP WNBA power poll.

Seattle received a scare when Sue Bird limped off the court favoring her left leg with 6½ minutes left after a collision with Cambage. Bird immediately jogged into the tunnel underneath the stands and could be seen testing out the leg.

Bird returned to the Seattle bench several minutes later and re-entered with 4:19 left. She added her third 3-poitner with 1:24 left to give Seattle a 15-point lead.

Nothing better than @S10Bird threes! 😍#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/1SVgrnZsNh

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 15, 2021

Bird finished with 11 points and eight assists beginning her 18th WNBA season. Newcomer Candice Dupree added 12 points for Seattle.

CELEBRATION

Seattle’s championship celebration was muted, limited to a max of 2,000 fans at its temporary home 30 miles north of the Storm’s permanent home as construction continues on Climate Pledge Arena in downtown Seattle.

As reinforcement to how much Seattle’s roster has changed from last year’s championship team, only five players on Saturday’s active roster for Seattle – Bird, Stewart, Lloyd, Jordin Canada and Ezi Magbegor – received their championship rings during the pregame ceremony.

TIP INS

Bird moved past Lisa Leslie and into seventh place on the WNBA career scoring list. … It was just the fourth time in league history the two finalists from the previous season opened the following season against each other. All four times the championship winner has won the season-opening rematch.