The No. 4-seed Las Vegas Aces came out victorious in their first game of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs, but by no means was it an easy feat. In a matchup that saw them trailing early to the No. 5-seed Seattle Storm, it was the Aces’ championship pedigree and fourth-quarter defensive shutout that propelled them to the much-needed win. The back-to-back champs are one win away from advancing to the semifinals, and getting another step closer to history.
Answering the call
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The playoffs are the ultimate sink-or-swim situation; it all comes down to these games. What separates good teams from great teams is having players who can show up at any given moment and be the much-needed boost to secure valuable wins within a series.
In Game 1, that was Tiffany Hayes’ role, and she played it as well as you could’ve imagined, perfectly displaying her veteran experience. In a game that had the Aces looking slow at the jump, Hayes rose to the occasion, providing a valuable 20 points, four rebounds and one assist off the bench. She inserted a much-needed battery in the Aces’ back and kept them from falling into a 0-1 series hole, where a chance of elimination awaited on the other side. The questions now are: Can Hayes do it again? Will the Aces need her to?
Defense wins games
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The Storm came out of the gate looking unstoppable in Game 1, until the Aces woke up from their extended pre-game nap and showed exactly why they are a top-five defense in the WNBA (and have the two-time defending and possibly back-to-back-to-back DPOY). They held the Storm to a nearly scoreless fourth quarter; Seattle connected on a staggering zero field goals, with their only points coming off of two free throws in the entire quarter, tying the WNBA record for fewest points in a quarter of a playoff game since 2006.
In Game 2, the Aces’ assignment is the same: contain the Storm’s offense through an emphasis on defense.
Can the Aces bring out the broom?
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Yes, they can.
If Vegas can manage to string together a better offensive showing, combined with an even half-as-good defensive showing, then it’s extremely likely that the Aces will be awaiting their second-round opponent (likely the No. 1-seed New York Liberty in a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals) sooner than later.
Seattle will come out with a vengeance in Game 2, but if the Aces can tap into their championship identity and force the Storm to play with their backs against the wall, the chances of a sweep are pretty high. It will require every player in black and silver to step up, but if anyone can do it, they can.
Game information
No. 4-seed Las Vegas Aces (1-0) vs. No. 5-seed Seattle Storm (0-1)
When: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV
How to watch: ESPN
Aces injury report: none
Storm injury report: none
