Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon knows her team is at its best when it plays sound defense.
Hammon subsequently loved the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the Aces’ first-round WNBA playoff series with the Seattle Storm, when Las Vegas allowed just two points, both on free throws, and rallied for a 78-67 win.
The Aces hope to continue that strong defensive effort Tuesday night at home, where they attempt to close out the best-of-three series and advance to the semifinals.
“We are our best when we run out of our defense and we put a couple of lineups out there that were super fast,” Hammon said. “When we’re fast, active defensively and just disruptive, we know we can get out to the other end.”
Seattle’s last made basket in the game was Skylar Diggins-Smith’s driving layup and 3-point play with 52.9 seconds left in the third quarter. She had the Storm’s only two points in the fourth quarter on free throws with 4:07 remaining.
The Storm missed all 12 of their field goal tries in the fourth quarter as Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams each went 0-for-3. Seattle also mixed in six turnovers.
It tied a WNBA record for fewest points in a quarter of a playoff game.
“There’s no way you’re winning the game with a two-point quarter,” Seattle forward Nneka Ogwumike said.
Seattle might have to play Tuesday’s elimination game without center Ezi Magbegor (concussion), who has missed the last four games since being injured during a Sept. 13 win over Dallas
It still is not known when Magbegor, who averaged 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots, can return.
“She’s a closer,” Ogwumike said. “… She’s a big defensive piece that we miss, and we have to fill those gaps someway, somehow. Playing defense is definitely different without her.”
Magbegor’s absence makes it tougher for the Storm to match up with WNBA Most Valuable Player A’ja Wilson, who was limited to 9 made baskets on 21 shots Sunday, while scoring 21 points with eight rebounds. Wilson added five blocked shots.
Seattle received just six points on 2-of-8 shooting from leading scorer Jewell Loyd (19.7 per game), who returned to the lineup after missing the final three regular season games with a knee injury.
–Field Level Media
