The Storm stopped scoring at the most inopportune time. They took the lead early in the fourth quarter and it looked like the two-time champions were going to be in trouble. Then inexplicably — and without warning — Seattle's offense came to an abrupt halt. The mid-range shot did not fall in the jump. A layup was made and the 3-pointer was badly missed.
At the other end, Las Vegas backup Tiffany Hayes ran around defenders to shoot while Chelsea Gray, who tormented the Storm in the playoffs two years ago at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Her signature jumper landed in front of 10,369 spectators in the auditorium. The Storm lost Game 1 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs 78-67 on Sunday night, and it remains to be seen if the team can bounce back from an epic fourth-quarter collapse that saw them concede 12 shots in the final quarter.
Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Tuesday in Las Vegas. "We're going to have to go back and watch film and see what works and what doesn't," forward Gabby Williams said. “I was still in shock after the fourth quarter. But let's see what works and what doesn't.
Seattle led 65-64 at the end of the third quarter, but fell behind 14-2 in the decisive fourth quarter.
It was the first time in WNBA playoff history that a team has failed to score since reaching the league's quarterfinals in 2006. Seattle set a league playoff record for fewest points scored in a quarter.
"They were on fire and we were gassed," forward Nneka Ogwumike said. "We didn't step it up in the fourth quarter. There were a lot of reasons. You can't with a team like this. You can't win a game with just two point quarters.
The awful finish marred an otherwise promising start for the Stormers, who had enjoyed a near-perfect first season. They get balanced scoring from Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ogwumike and additional offensive contributions from backup center Mercedes Russell, who replaces Ezi Magbegor (concussion). More importantly, Seattle handcuffed Aja Wilson and held the Vegas star, who won his third MVP trophy during the pregame ceremony, to 1-for-8 shooting.
"Aces" made only 2 of 18 shots during the quarter, but "Storm" led 18-7 at the end of the first quarter. But the good times didn't last long.
Aces started the second quarter with 14-4. A gray sweater exhausted and ranked second in Las Vegas with 23-22 benefit and 6:12 back in the second second.
Before the breakthrough, the leading benefit changed five times, and Seattle entered the 42-38 leading midfield. Wilson regained his touch in the third quarter with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Williams and Diggins-Smith combined for 16 points as the Storm entered the fourth quarter with a 65-64 lead.
Then the storm raged. "We just gave it our all," said Wilson, who finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. "We understand the task and what it entails. Already in the first half we saw that it would not be easy. This is the endgame. This is not a routine game.
“They punched us in the mouth in the first half, but we figured it out in the second half. It affects us defensively and we have to give it our all. There are no ifs and buts. Here we can step up the offensive. We're just starting to block more. Mobilized our physical strength. (Coach) Betsy (Harmon) was yelling at us in the locker room. Of course it alerted us and we just took it personally.
Hayes had 20 points off the bench, Gray had 16 points and seven assists and Jackie Young added 12 points for Las Vegas, which is 16-4 against the Storm over the last two years.
Smith finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks. Williams had 14 points and 7 rebounds, Ogwumike had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Jordan Horston had 10 points.
"You have to have a short-term memory," Storm coach Noel Quinn said. "In such a short time, the only thing we can do is improve the film and solve certain problems in this status. Then it's over. Unable to retrieve.
“We are in a life or death situation. Are we extending the streak? How about going home? The priority of recreation is meaning. We have guys who play a lot of minutes. We need to wash our backs after watching this movie. Get better with film, and then our focus is on Tuesday.
