LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — When it came to crunch time Sunday in a game that determined the WNBA’s top seed for the playoffs, the Aces delivered. And who else but Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum?
The Aces’ stars were superb in the final minute of a 109-100 victory over the Seattle Storm before a loud announced crowd of 10,015 at Michelob Ultra Arena that clinched the No. 1 seed.
Gray scored a career-high 33 points, including 16 in the final quarter, and Plum hit a key 3-pointer in the final minute after a Wilson block to lead the final surge.
The victory in the regular-season finale means the Aces (26-10) will have homecourt advantage throughout the postseason.
The Chicago Sky also finished 26-10, but the Aces have the tiebreaker, winning two of three in the regular season against Chicago.
Wilson made perhaps the most critical play down the stretch, blocking a shot by Breanna Stewart with Gray coming up with the ball. She fed to Plum, who drained a 3-pointer for a 101-95 lead with 58.8 seconds left.
Gray, who added seven rebounds and nine assists, sank a pair of free throws on the next possession, and Wilson followed with a steal that Plum converted into a layup for a 105-97 lead with 25 seconds remaining.
Wilson contributed 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Plum had 23 points.
Gray was a factor late in the third quarter, when the Storm seemed poised to take control. Her 3-pointer in the closing seconds of third capped a 12-0 run and gave the Aces a 90-87 lead entering final quarter.
Jewell Loyd led Seattle (22-14) with 38 points. Stewart scored 21.
The Aces open postseason Wednesday at Michelob Ultra Arena, facing off against Phoenix, the No. 8 seed, in a best-of-three series.