- What: WNBA Regular Season Game
- When: Wednesday, June 19
- Who: Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Tip-Off: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Michelob Ultra Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
The Seattle Storm are set to clash with the Las Vegas Aces in a highly anticipated matchup.
Las Vegas Aces
The Aces, in particular, are eagerly awaiting this game as their star guard, Chelsea Gray, a pivotal player from last year’s championship run, is poised to make her return to the lineup.
Aces coach Becky Hammon has indicated that she will be monitoring the game’s flow to determine the optimal time for Gray’s return.
While Gray’s comeback is a significant event, the Aces have been clear in their stance of not using her absence as an excuse for their slow start to the 2024 season.
3X WNBA Champion Chelsea Gray is returning for the @LVAces (6-6) tomorrow night against the storm.
"It's been a long time coming….October 15th I think was the last time."
Gray has been called the "main ingredient, nucleus, brains" of the team.#WNBA @FOX5Vegas pic.twitter.com/rFxnjmJXMk
— Paloma Villicana (@PalomaFOX5News) June 18, 2024
“Chelsea is just a leader and someone that we miss. But that’s not an excuse,” said Kelsey Plum, Gray’s teammate. “We gotta figure it out and get better, and when she comes back, she just makes us that much better.” Plum added, “She has one of the most gifted basketball minds I’ve ever seen, and she sees things in a way that is unique to her.”
Coach Hammon has been candid about the team’s current performance: “We’re not performing at our best. We’re not a top-tier team at the moment. That’s the reality.
But we’re fully aware that we can improve, and we still have a significant amount of basketball to play. This statement underscores the Aces’ unwavering belief in their ability to bounce back and perform at a higher level.
Indeed, only a third of the regular season has been played, and with the upcoming Summer Olympics break in Paris, there is ample time for the Aces to fine-tune their play and address any weaknesses, especially with Gray’s health improving.
Seattle Storm
Regarding tonight’s game, the big question is how well the Aces can reintegrate Gray into their lineup. Can she quickly find her rhythm and mesh with her teammates on the court?
While Gray naturally understands her teammates’ movements and styles, she may not yet be at full game speed, and some rust is to be expected.
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This Skylar bucket from yesterday is your @WAFDbank Taking it to the Bank Play of the Game! pic.twitter.com/zHab85Dt2S
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) June 17, 2024
This could be challenging against a Seattle team currently ahead of the Aces in the WNBA standings. The Storm previously defeated the Aces by double digits in their last encounter despite being 6.5-point underdogs.
Although Gray undoubtedly makes Las Vegas a better team, she may not be at her peak in her first game back, and the Aces may not show their best form tonight. This sets up a scenario where Seattle could cover the spread again.
The Aces, led by the elite coach Becky Hammon, are adept at integrating key players and making necessary adjustments. With championship components in place, they will eventually coalesce around Gray and play cohesively.
Storm-Aces Best Bet
They will be excited to have their core back and intact, even if it takes a few games to hit their stride.
See you back at The House tomorrow. ????
???? @NBATV // SSSEN pic.twitter.com/bBrazOQN95
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 18, 2024
Everything is aligning for the Aces to resemble the team that won last year’s title rather than the one that has faced early-season challenges.
With their roster now healthy, they have the kind of lineup that can pose significant challenges for Seattle. Pick the Aces to cover the 6.5 point spread.
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