SEATTLE — Jewell Loyd got here out sizzling in her return Sunday to Local weather Pledge Enviornment for the primary time since requesting a commerce that despatched her to the Las Vegas Aces, however the remaining members of the Seattle Storm ended up stealing the present in a formidable 102-82 victory.
Loyd’s first sport again in Seattle, the place she performed a decade after being drafted No. 1 in 2015 and received a pair of championships, was an apparent storyline. And there was emotion throughout warmups, when the Storm performed a tribute video to the six-time All-Star who left because the franchise’s third-leading scorer. Followers responded with a standing ovation after the video and once more when Loyd was launched with the Aces’ starters.
“The followers have all the time been actually nice right here,” Loyd mentioned afterward. “You understand, clearly, you spend 10 years someplace you meet lots of people and you’ve got a number of relationships. So it was good to see my household on the market as properly. My dad got here. It is cool.”
Though Loyd mentioned she noticed elements of the video whereas being celebrated by her new Las Vegas teammates, she needed to keep away from getting caught up within the second.
“I actually tried to concentrate on the sport as a lot as attainable and never get too emotional right here or there,” she mentioned, “however I respect it.”
On the opposite facet, Seattle coach Noelle Quinn was delivering an identical message.
“The main focus immediately was us,” Quinn mentioned postgame. “It was the Storm vs. the Aces and we knew we have been taking part in an excellent staff. We have now vets within the room who’ve been in several types of environments. Our theme final sport was self-discipline, and if we’re speaking about getting higher, I do not assume there was any drop-off in that. The main focus stays us.”
In a rematch of final yr’s matchup within the first spherical of the playoffs that resulted in a 2-0 Vegas sweep, the Storm ended up making an announcement. Loyd scored the Aces’ first 9 factors, making a pair of 3-pointers and finishing a three-point play, however Seattle’s free-flowing offense matched Loyd level for level.
After Loyd’s sizzling begin, the Storm shifted ace defender Gabby Williams as her major matchup. Loyd made 4 of her first 5 pictures, then missed her closing 10, scoring solely two of her 14 factors after the primary quarter. With MVP A’ja Wilson struggling to take care of Seattle’s additional defensive consideration — she had 15 factors on 5-of-11 capturing — the Aces by no means discovered a foothold within the sport till rookie Elizabeth Kitley sparked a 7-0 run within the third quarter to chop the deficit to twenty.
“We confirmed what we will do, our potential at each ends of the ground,” mentioned Quinn, who known as Las Vegas “measuring sticks” within the wake of its two championships prior to now three years.
The Storm put up 34 factors within the first quarter and completed the sport in triple-digits for the primary time since final Could. Seattle shot 60% from the sphere, together with 8-of-16 from 3-point vary, and had 32 assists on 42 discipline objectives.
All the things labored, beginning with ball motion that picked aside the Aces’ protection and created repeated open seems. Per web site Throughout the Timeline, the 4 Seattle gamers who completed with not less than 10 factors and 5 assists (Williams, Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and reserve Erica Wheeler) tied a WNBA report.
To Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon, Seattle’s success on offense was an indictment of her staff’s protection, which she described a number of instances as “undisciplined” for emphasis.
“The hassle wasn’t there, the self-discipline wasn’t there,” Hammon mentioned. “We’re breaking our personal guidelines. Till the system is ran accurately, it is actually onerous to make changes as a result of you do not know if Plan A goes to work.”
Ogwumike, who grew to become the eleventh participant in WNBA historical past to achieve 3,000 profession rebounds, scored 23 factors on 10-of-15 capturing. Wheeler got here off the bench to attain 21 factors, matching her most in a sport since 2021. No. 2 decide Dominique Malonga, taken with the choice the Storm acquired within the three-team deal that despatched Loyd to the Aces, made her greatest affect but at age 19. Coming in to match up with Kitley, who can also be listed at 6-foot-6, Malonga had eight factors and 5 rebounds.
“I assumed Dom was wonderful in her minutes,” Quinn mentioned.
By the late levels, the largest query was whether or not Malonga would possibly be capable of dunk in a sport for the primary time in her temporary WNBA profession. A late alternative in transition became a layup when Malonga bobbled the outlet move from Zia Cooke.
Actually, Sunday wasn’t the triumphant return Vegas teammates needed for Loyd.
“It sucks,” Wilson mentioned, remaining optimistic after the Aces dropped to 2-2 for his or her worst begin since 2021. “Actually, I needed to win for Jewell and everybody else that got here out and supported us, however it’s part of the sport. We’ll return and take a look at it once more. We’ll go on the market and hopefully have a greater exhibiting.”
The Aces are off till Friday, and Loyd will return to Seattle once more quickly. The groups play at Local weather Pledge Enviornment subsequent Sunday.
