SEATTLE STORM

A’ja Wilson helps Las Vegas even WNBA semis with Seattle Storm

Aug 31, 2022, 9:27 PM | Updated: 9:31 pm


              Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) shoots over Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) reacts after a play against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives between Seattle Storm forward Stephanie Talbot, left, and guard Jewell Loyd during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives into Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum drives against Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) reacts after a play against the Seattle Storm during the second half in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates after a play against the Seattle Storm during the second half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) shoots over Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) reacts after a play against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives between Seattle Storm forward Stephanie Talbot, left, and guard Jewell Loyd during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Seattle Storm forward Stephanie Talbot (7) keeps the ball in bounds against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) and Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd reach for a rebound during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) shoots over Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) reacts after a play against the Las Vegas Aces during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives between Seattle Storm forward Stephanie Talbot, left, and guard Jewell Loyd during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Seattle Storm forward Stephanie Talbot (7) keeps a ball in bounds against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
            
              Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) and Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd (24) battle for a rebound during the first half in Game 2 of a WNBA basketball semifinal playoff series Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A’ja Wilson had 33 points and 12 rebounds to help the Las Vegas Aces beat the Seattle Storm 78-73 in Game 2 of the semifinals Wednesday night and even the WNBA playoff series.

Las Vegas Aces 78, Seattle Storm 73: Box score

Chelsea Gray finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists for the Aces, while Kelsey Plum added 18 points.

Game 3 is Sunday in Seattle.

Wilson rebounded from a disappointing Game 1 loss when she didn’t reach double-figures in scoring by taking over in the second half of Game 2. With the game tied heading into the third quarter she scored 13 points in the period to help the Aces take a 60-52 lead.

Seattle battled back behind Breanna Stewart, who led the Storm with 32 points and seven rebounds. The Storm got within 75-73 on Sue Bird’s runner in the lane that she banked in with 19.9 seconds left.

Wilson hit two free throws 2 seconds later and Seattle didn’t threaten after that.

The Aces came out of the chute an entirely different team than the one that looked stagnant in the first quarter of Game 1, taking a 14-11 lead midway through. But after making 7 of 13 to start the game, the Aces missed their last five shots in the quarter. The Storm, however, used a 10-0 run to close the period and took a 23-16 lead into the second.

The second quarter quickly turned into a battle of MVP candidates, as Stewart scored Seattle’s first six points of the second quarter, while Wilson scored eight of Las Vegas’ first 13. The Aces used an 11-2 run to tie the game at 31. The teams went into halftime knotted at 36.

TIP INS

The Aces missed five free throws, marking just the second time in nine games they missed three or more from the free-throw line. … Wilson’s tally marked the first time she hit the 30-point plateau since June 11 in Los Angeles. … After averaging 14 points against Washington in the opening round, Sue Bird is averaging a mere 4.0 points per game vs. the Aces. Bird is also averaging 9.0 assists per game in the series, and 7.5 for the playoffs. … Seattle had won the last 13 playoff games that Stewart played in before the loss Wednesday night.

AWARDS NIGHT

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was on hand for the game and presented three trophies before the opening tip. Aces coach Becky Hammon was honored as Coach of the Year, Wilson was given her Defensive Player of the Year award, and Jackie Young received her Most Improved Player trophy.

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