Storm’s Gabby Williams to miss Game 1 against Aces

The Seattle Storm will be without Gabby Williams for their Game 1 semifinal matchup against the Las Vegas Aces Sunday.

The star forward exited the Storm’s decisive Round 1 contest against the Washington Mystics early with an injury and is still under concussion protocol.

INJURY REPORT — The Storm Injury Report presented by Providence @Swedish for Sunday’s Game One of the WNBA Semifinals at Las Vegas:

OUT – Mercedes Russell (non-basketball injury)
OUT – Gabby Williams (concussion)#TakeCover x #RoadToRecovery pic.twitter.com/wd4rVg3tn6

— Seattle Storm PR (@SeattleStormPR) August 27, 2022

Williams is a mainstay for the Storm, starting in 36 regular season fixtures, averaging 25.6 minutes per game. The 25-year-old averaged 7.5 points, five rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in her debut campaign with the Storm.

Williams averaged 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals per game in her two playoff appearances.

“It changes a lot, honestly,” Storm head coach Noelle Quinn said of Williams’ injury ahead of the semifinals. “Gabby has been playing at a high level, and we’ve been really reliant on her athleticism, her defense, her cutting. She’s a very smart basketball player and she feels comfortable in our system.”

Without Williams, the Storm will have their hands full, attempting to slow down the red-hot Las Vegas Aces’ offense. Guard Chelsea Gray shot 76.9 percent from beyond the arc in the team’s opening series, while Kelsey Plum averaged 22 points per game.

The Aces boast a 3-1 regular season record over the Storm, defeating Seattle 109-100 in their Aug. 14 matchup.

Las Vegas will be without Dearica Hamby, who missed the team’s series against Phoenix with a bone contusion in her right knee.

Game 1 of the semifinal series between the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces kicks off on Sunday at 4 pm ET on ESPN.