The Seattle Storm overcame a nine-point deficit in the final minutes to defeat the Las Vegas Aces 86-83 Tuesday night, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 in their WNBA playoff series.
Skylar Diggins-Smith delivered the decisive shot, sinking a jumper from the lane with 4.2 seconds remaining to give Seattle an 86-83 lead. Nneka Ogwumike anchored the Storm’s effort with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Diggins-Smith finished with 26 points.
The victory marked Seattle’s first playoff win since 2022 and ended Las Vegas’s dominant 16-game winning streak that carried through the regular season’s conclusion and Game 1 on Sunday.
Seattle trailed 79-70 before mounting a dramatic 16-4 closing run that stunned the defending champions. The comeback began when Dominique Malonga converted a three-point play with 31 seconds remaining, giving the Storm their first lead since early in the game at 84-83.
Las Vegas had opportunities to regain control, but Chelsea Gray committed a crucial turnover while attempting to find Jackie Young in the lane. The Aces got a final chance to tie at the buzzer, but Jewell Loyd’s three-point attempt hit the right side of the rim.
Malonga contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds to Seattle’s balanced attack, with Erica Wheeler adding 11 points. The Storm will travel to Las Vegas for Thursday’s decisive Game 3, with the winner advancing to the WNBA semifinals.
Jackie Young led Las Vegas with 25 points, while A’ja Wilson recorded her 22nd playoff double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Despite the loss, the Aces maintain home-court advantage for the series finale.
Seattle established momentum early, with Ogwumike scoring 11 first-quarter points and Diggins-Smith adding 15 in the second period. The Storm closed the first half on a 7-0 run, pulling within 45-44 at intermission.
Diggins-Smith rebounded from a disappointing 12-point performance in Sunday’s series opener, when Ogwumike was similarly limited to 11 points. Tuesday’s offensive explosion demonstrated the Storm’s ability to elevate their play in elimination scenarios.
The series now shifts to Las Vegas, where both teams will compete for a semifinals berth in what promises to be a high-stakes conclusion to their playoff battle.
