WNBA Playoff Game Preview: Las Vegas Aces (1-0) vs. Seattle Storm (0-1)

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Seattle Storm logo

Venue & Logistics

Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington

Tip-off Time: 9:30 PM EDT / 6:30 PM PDT

Broadcast: ESPN, WNBA League Pass

Injury Report

Seattle Storm:

Katie Lou Samuelson (knee) – Out for season

Las Vegas Aces:

No major injuries reported

Key Player Matchups

A’ja Wilson (Aces) vs. Nneka Ogwumike (Storm) – Wilson is averaging 23.4 PPG and 10.2 RPG, while Ogwumike leads Seattle with 18.3 PPG and 7.0 RPG.

Jewell Loyd (Storm) vs. Jackie Young (Aces) – Loyd’s perimeter scoring (2.3 threes per game) must counter Young’s two-way efficiency.

Chelsea Gray (Aces) vs. Skylar Diggins-Smith (Storm) – A battle of veteran guards who control tempo and create for teammates.

Recent Team Form

Las Vegas Aces (30-14, 1-0 in series):

Won 10 straight games, including Game 1

Averaging 88.2 PPG, allowing just 72.9

Shooting 49.1% from the field over last 10

Seattle Storm (23-21, 0-1 in series):

6-4 in last 10 games

Averaging 83.2 PPG, allowing 82.3

Shooting 45.3% from the field over last 10

Series History

2025 Regular Season: Teams split 2-2

Playoff Series: Aces lead 1-0 after winning Game 1 in Seattle

All-Time Playoff Meetings:

2020 Finals: Storm swept Aces 3-0

2022 Semifinals: Aces eliminated Storm 3-1 en route to championship

Betting Trends

Aces are 10-0 SU in their last 10 games.

Storm are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.

The Over has hit in 4 of the last 6 Seattle games.

Las Vegas is 3-1 ATS vs. Seattle this season.

Historical Betting Results

Game 1 (2025 Playoffs): Aces -4.5, won 88-77 → Cover, Over

2025 Regular Season: Split 2-2 SU, Aces 3-1 ATS

2024 Season: Aces won 3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS

GAME ODDS

Las Vegas Aces                  – 5.5

Seattle Storm                    161

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, September 15, 2025

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WNBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.