The Las Vegas Aces are off to a hot start this WNBA season after they beat the Seattle Storm 85-74 on Sunday night.
A’ja Wilson and Dearica Hamby led the charge, with each posting a double-double.
Wilson had 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks, making her the first player in Aces history to hit those totals in a single game. Hamby added 10 points and 19 rebounds.
Kelsey Plum also factored heavily in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of her 18 points in the first four minutes of the final frame. She also nailed a 3-pointer with 8:48 remaining to put the Aces ahead for good, finishing with 18 points, seven assists and three steals.
All five of the Aces starters have finished in double figures in back-to-back games to start the season.
“It’s been fun playing free,” said Jackie Young, who finished with 19 points. “We have a good flow this year. Playing selfless, it’s been really exciting for the fans too.”
New coach Becky Hammon said she was happy with the team’s performance in the home opener.
“For us it was about handling business. Pound home our basics,” she said. “I thought overall, really great start out of the gate. Our defense won us that game, which is refreshing for a coach.”
The Aces had 38 defensive rebounds to Seattle’s 23 while also throwing up 10 blocked shots and five steals.
“Just not as sharp in that time of the game,” Seattle coach Noelle Quinn said of her team’s performance. The Storm shot 35.5 percent while Las Vegas shot 44.8 percent.
“Offensively, when we struggle, we’ve got to hang our hats on defense and rebounding,” Quinn said. “We weren’t locked in on the schemes at the end. The ball bouncing a certain way and just not coming up with those 50-50 balls.”
Breanna Stewart led the Storm with 21 points and eight rebounds. Jewell Loyd had 19 points while Epiphanny Prince was the only other Seattle player in double digits with 11 points.