Short-handed Storm Fall to Aces, Will Start First Round of Playoffs on the Road

Seattle Forced to Play Without Top Players

The Seattle Storm, already dealing with several injuries, were without their two leading scorers, Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd, on Sunday as they fell to the Las Vegas Aces 89-78. The loss dropped the Storm to 20-13 on the season and locked them into the No. 4 seed in the WNBA playoffs. They will now open the playoffs on the road against the No. 1 seed Chicago Sky.

Aces Star Shines

A'ja Wilson led the way for the Aces with 24 points and 11 rebounds. She was one of five Aces players to score in double figures. The Storm were led by Epiphanny Prince's 21 points. Stewart and Loyd are both expected to be back for the playoffs, but their absence on Sunday was a major blow to the Storm's chances of winning.

Storm Struggled to Keep Pace

The Storm trailed by just four points at halftime, but the Aces pulled away in the third quarter. Las Vegas outscored Seattle 26-17 in the period and took a 13-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Storm never got closer than seven points in the final period.

Playoff Picture Set

The Aces finished the regular season with a 26-8 record, the best in the WNBA. They will open the playoffs at home against the No. 8 seed Phoenix Mercury. The Sky finished 26-10 and will host the Storm in the first round. The No. 2 seed Connecticut Sun will host the No. 7 seed New York Liberty, and the No. 3 seed Dallas Wings will host the No. 6 seed Minnesota Lynx.