Aces resume playoff push vs. Storm after World Cup break, tell me about this news in (https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/aces-resume-playoff-push-vs-storm-after-world-cup-break/)
17-09-2026
Here is a summary of the news article:
Key HighlightsThe Matchup: The defending champion Las Vegas Aces resume their season on the road against the Seattle Storm following the WNBA’s World Cup break, with only four games remaining in the regular season.
Playoff Positioning: The Aces (27–13) entered the break on a three-game winning streak. They sit two games behind Golden State and maintain a narrow one-game lead over both Atlanta and Indiana.
Favorable Remaining Schedule: Las Vegas’ final four games are all against teams already eliminated from playoff contention: two games against the Storm (8–32), one against the Los Angeles Sparks, and one against the Phoenix Mercury. In their only prior meeting this season, the Aces beat Seattle 101–91 on June 8.
Las Vegas Aces:
Head coach Becky Hammon acknowledged the challenge of regaining momentum after the disruption, noting that teams with multiple international players face a “funky rhythm.”
Four Aces players participated in the World Cup: Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young (Team USA), Stephanie Talbot (Australia), and Mai Yamamoto (Japan).
A’ja Wilson sat out of Team USA’s World Cup run due to health concerns.
Seattle Storm:
Seattle’s young frontcourt featured Dominique Malonga (France), Awa Fam (Spain), and center Ezi Magbegor (Australia) in the World Cup.
Ezi Magbegor suffered a torn ACL during the tournament and is sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Wing Katie Lou Samuelson is also out for the season following arthroscopic left knee surgery.