It was an exciting Friday night game on June 21, 2025, where the Seattle Storm handed Las Vegas Aces their dramatic defeat 90 – 83 at Michelob Ultra Arena. An audience of 10,428 people saw Jewell Loyd make the game of the season with her final minutes performance to secure her seasonal legacy and prove once again the strength of Storm.
Initial Battles and Moments of Shifts
The game began at high tempo. The Seattle team made the first move and took 23-21 at the end of the first quarter. The second was a reply as Las Vegas ascended to 45-38 in the first half with active play and scores on defensive rebounds.
In the third period, Seattle rebounded with 29 points to that of 21 by the Aces with the end of the third period being tied at 66-66. Defense stepped up, and each team did not have much control of the lead.
Loyd’s Heroics in Crunch Time
With 9:22 left in the fourth, Loyd nailed a deep three‑pointer to push Seattle ahead 69‑67. This shot shifted energy in favor of the Storm (espn.com). As the clock ticked under two minutes, Loyd remained cool under pressure, earning two free throws with 2:15 left and extending the edge to 88‑81 (aces.wnba.com).
Her 15 points, three rebounds, and four assists in 34 minutes were timely despite not being the highest scorer on her squad. Loyd later reflected, “I just tried to stay focused and make the shots when they counted.” Teammate Skylar Diggins praised her: “Jewell is always clutch in big moments. We knew she’d come through.” Although recent, these quotes came through ESPN’s AP recap .
Team Effort: Stars Shine on Both Sides
Seattle shot a balanced 46.5% from the field (33/71) and hit 81.3% (13/16) at the line. Nneka Ogwumike had a dominant game with 25 points and 12 rebounds. She also recorded two steals, becoming the No. 6 all‑time WNBA leader in steals with 636. Skylar Diggins added 24 points and six assists. Gabby Williams registered her first professional double‑double with 18 points and 12 boards. Bench player Erica Wheeler contributed 17 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter.
On the opposing side, the Aces nearly turned the tide. Jackie Young scored 22 points with five assists. A’ja Wilson, back from concussion protocol, recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds but also committed seven turnovers. Rookie Aaliyah Nye posted a season‑high 13 points.
Las Vegas went 14/21 on free throws (67%), and committed 14 turnovers factors that proved costly .
Seattle’s Defensive Stand in Final Stretch
Seattle’s defense locked in during crunch time, holding the Aces to just 17 points in the fourth quarter. Their early run sparked by Wheeler and Diggins led to a decisive 9‑2 surge that capped at 88‑81. Las Vegas then missed three straight field goals, hit only three free throws, and committed two turnovers in the final 5½ minutes .
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Impact on Standings and Playoff Race
The win improved Seattle’s record to 8‑5, keeping them in third place in the Western Conference . Meanwhile, Las Vegas dropped to 5‑7, slipping into fifth. The loss marked the Aces’ third consecutive defeat and just their second three‑game skid since the 2020 WNBA Finals, when Seattle swept them.
Seattle has now won five of its last six games, reinforcing their identity as a team capable of adjusting and executing in tight moments .
What This Win Says About Loyd
Loyd’s switch from former team Seattle to Las Vegas in February made summer headlines. She was the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and a six‑time All-Star. Despite her new team, her affinity for clutch moments with Seattle remains intact .
Her timely shooting and composure earned praise after the game. Seattle’s ability to rely on her in crunch time shows that even away from her former home, Loyd continues to define games—and this win highlighted her still‑elite late‑game presence.
Key Stats Snapshot
| Team | FG% | 3‑PM | FT% | Reb | TO | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | 46.5% (33/71) | 11/23 | 81.3% | 37 | 11 | Ogwumike, Diggins, Williams, Loyd |
| LV | 47.5% (29/61) | 11/19 | 66.7% | 30 | 14 | Young, Wilson, Loyd, Nye |
Seattle created second‑chance opportunities on defense and trusted rotations in crunch while Vegas couldn’t find consistent free‑throw accuracy and committed too many turnovers.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next
Seattle’s next opponent is the New York Liberty on June 23, followed by a June 25 visit from the Indiana Fever. They’ll look to build on this momentum and reinforce their Western Conference spot.
Las Vegas, meanwhile, will host Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever on June 23, then face Connecticut Sun on June 26. Three consecutive home games offer a chance to halt the skid—but mental toughness and consistent free‑throw shooting will be critical.
Final Thoughts
Jewell Loyd has given fans the reminder of she is the gold Mamba with ice in her veins and the space to turn the momentum at the right time. Her late free-throws and three point basket were just a performance that when coupled with Seattle collective performance took over a hostile arena.
It was predetermined as a seesaw battle of poise in crunch time, but on the whole, this game portrayed Seattle as a mix of both stars and role players and defense. In the case of Las Vegas, a loss this evening brings up old problems: turnovers, poor free-throw shooting, and free-throw shooting pressure later in the game.
These two teams have played against each other exactly three times this season, but the edge in their head‑to‑head record now belongs to Seattle as the team now holds a 2-1 record. This victory confirmed again that Seattle is able to shut down when it matters. And the performance of Loyd was a pre-cursor of her future influence–whatever the uniform, Loyd will come through when it is time to make it count.
Govind Singh
[…] alive with aggressive defense and physical rebounding. But the third quarter? That’s where the game tipped permanently — emotionally, tactically, and […]