SEATTLE -- The Seattle Storm spoiled former star Jewell Loyd’s homecoming thanks to their thunderous defense as they took down the Las Vegas Aces, 102-82. Loyd was traded to the Aces in the offseason after a 10-year career with the Storm that included multiple championships. With her on the other side of this storied rivalry, Seattle did what they are built to do to win. Although Las Vegas presented a lot of matchup nightmares, the Storm stuck to their defensive game plan to gain the upper hand.

Seattle started the game ready to send a message, commanding a 34-20 lead. Nneka Ogwumike (NEH-kuh Oh-gwoo-MIH-kay) led the Storm with 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists in the quarter. Her four assists in the opening quarter are the most assists she’s had in a quarter since joining Seattle.  Gabby Williams provided a spark for Seattle on both ends, scoring seven points, one assist, and one steal on defense. Loyd started the contest with her scoring as she always does. She finished the period with 12 points on an efficient four makes in five attempts, while making all three of her three-pointers. Jackie Young was the other bright spot for the Aces, scoring six points to go with two assists and two steals in the quarter. Although Las Vegas attempted to shoot their way back into the game, the Storm’s defense was the source of their issues as they ended the first half.

As both teams entered the locker rooms, Seattle extended their lead, 58-36. The Storm’s sixth player, Erica Wheeler, came off the bench with a vengeance, scoring seven of her 21 points in the second quarter. She finished the contest with seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals as well. According to Seattle Storm PR, the team finished the half with 20 assists, which is the second time in franchise history and 11th time in WNBA history that a team had 20 or more assists in a single half. The Aces tried to stop the bleeding in the second period, led by their point guard, Chelsea Gray. She finished the half with seven points, two rebounds, and two assists. Superstar forward A’ja Wilson (Asia) finished the contest with 15 points, seven of which were scored in the opening half.   

Although the game wasn’t their desired result, Thomas showed more of her scoring in the second period, scoring eight of her 16 total points while adding five rebounds. As the two teams exited the locker rooms to start the second half, Seattle took command with their defense. Although Loyd was highlighted as the player playing against her former team for the first time, the same is said about Storm forward Alysha Clark. She spent the previous two seasons with the Aces before making a return to Seattle. In a tenure that included winning a championship, Clark spoke about how she approached the game against her former team and the similarity to a regular game.

“I approach (playing against Las Vegas) the same,” she said. “Winning a championship somewhere automatically makes that home. But it’s a game. As soon as we step across these lines, I know it’s going to be competitive, and I don’t look at (the Aces) as friends.”

Clark finished the win with a season-high nine points on four makes in five attempts, to go along with three rebounds and one steal. As the second half commenced, Seattle kept their foot on the gas, which further sealed the victory. Leading 80-59, the game was all but over. Wilson did what she could to help her team come back, scoring eight points, grabbing two rebounds, and blocking two shots in the quarter. Rookie center Elizabeth Kitley (KIT-Lee) also scored eight points for Las Vegas to go with four rebounds and one block. Although many contributions fueled the Storm, rookie forward Dominique Malonga (Muh-LONG-uh) stood out with her four points and one rebound in the quarter. She finished with multiple career-highs with eight points, five rebounds, and 11 minutes. With Seattle proving the might of their defense, they were simply too much for the Aces to handle.

The win for the Storm improves them to 3-1 in the early portion of the season, while Las Vegas falls to 2-2. While 82 points wasn’t a season-low for points allowed, the 20-point differential shows their elite defense triggered their offense. After winning both games in their short two-game homestand, Seattle will travel to Minnesota to face the Lynx before returning home. Although there are plenty of things to improve on, the Storm has shown their defense will wreak a lot of havoc for their opponents during the season.