The Las Vegas Aces lost a 19-point third-quarter lead before retaking control late to claim a hard-fought 90-86 home win over the Seattle Storm on Friday.
Buoyed by Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas produced a decisive 9-1 run after Seattle pulled even midway through the fourth quarter. Young tallying seven of the pivotal points via a 3-pointer and four free throws.
The Aces (17-14) had five players score in double figures, led by Wilson with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Young added 26 points, shooting 4-for-6 from 3-point range, with 19 of her points coming after halftime.
Chelsea Gray tallied 13 points and five assists, while Jewell Loyd added 10 points off the bench as Las Vegas earned its fifth win in six games. Nalyssa Smith contributed 10 points (on 5-for-6 shooting) and 12 boards.
Rookie reserve Dominique Malonga starred for the Storm (16-15), registering her second career double-double. The second pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Malonga posted career highs with 22 points, eight field goals (on 11 attempts) and 12 rebounds. It was her fourth double-figure scoring outing in the past five games, and 18 of her points came in the second half.
Seattle’s Erica Wheeler logged 16 points. Brittney Sykes posted 14 points and six rebounds, Gabby Williams also had 14 points and Nneka Ogwumike amassed 12 points and nine rebounds as the Storm took their fourth loss in a row.
Seattle shot just 38.2 percent in the first half and trailed 47-36 at intermission before surging at the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, largely on the strength of Malonga.
Las Vegas held a 65-46 lead after Wilson drained a jumper with 3:45 left in the third. Seattle answered with a 29-10 run to tie the game at 75 on a Malonga three-point play with 5:38 to play before the Aces responded.
–Field Level Media
