Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) returned against the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed Jun 19, 2024 (AP News file photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Las Vegas Aces (7-6) got back on the winning track beating the Seattle Storm (9-6) Wednesday night 94-83. The Storm had a lot of trouble handling the Las Vegas defense. Jackie Young had a monster game finishing with 32 points.
It was a great win for the team but the highlight of the evening was the long awaited return of Chelsea Gray. She did play limited minutes as expected but did finish with four rebounds and seven assists making an instant impact. As she works back into the system, she will continue to lift up her team.
Gray was very obviously working out for some time, as much as her injury would allow anyway and the Vegas fans showed their appreciation blowing up the sound meter. Her return has been so anticipated and now it has finally materialized.
Game recap: The Aces went right to work winning the opening quarter 29-16. Unlike their first matchup with the Storm, Las Vegas had solid control of this game in the first 12 minutes of play.
The Storm battled back but lost the second quarter by a basket 18-16. At the half the Aces had a 47-32 lead. Jackie Young had a terrific first half scoring 19 points. The Aces needed A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum to get going with both of them having a quiet couple of quarters. As expected Chelsea Gray had played limited minutes in the first half.
The Storm rallied to open the third quarter scoring the first four points of the quarter cutting the Aces lead but that would be all that the Aces would allow. Las Vegas turned it back on taking a 17 point lead 57-40 with 5:25 left on the clock.
The Aces were on a roll and refused to back down. When it looked like the Aces had it all going, the Storm mounted a comeback. After trailing by as much as 19 points they won the third quarter 22-19.
After three quarters, the Aces continued to lead but it had been cut to 66-54, a 12 point lead. The Storm had struggled against the Aces defense all game and with under four minute left in the game Seattle was running out of time if they wanted to turn this game.
The Aces had pushed their lead back out to a 20 point lead 84-64. The Storm continued to battle cutting the Aces lead from 20 points to thirteen 86-73 prompting Head Coach Becky Hammon to take their third timeout in the quarter. Seattle made it a little uncomfortable for the Aces at times but Las Vegas held fast to win the game 94-83.
Jackie Young had a terrific game finishing with 32 points. A’ja Wilson really turned it on in the second half shooting for 27 points and nine rebounds. Tiffany Hayes who started this game finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Kelsey Plum had double digits with 11 points after only having three at the half. She had eight assists. The Aces had outscored the Storm in the paint and from downtown. Both teams had 15 turnovers.
Game notes: The Las Vegas crowd went nuts erupting into cheers with a standing ovation celebrating the return of Chelsea Gray. The thunderous shrieks bounced off the walls of Michelob ULTRA Arena and the game had not even begun. This was Chelsea Gray’s first appearance this season. The Aces had been missing her all season and they have struggled in her absence.
Gray completes this team as she got four rebounds and seven assists. The Aces beat the Seattle Storm by 11 in Vegas and with Gray on the squad they begin their climb back into dominance. Her leadership and impeccable passing and timing was spot on from the get go.
Friday night, the Aces will be back in action in Vegas taking on the 13-1 Connecticut Sun. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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