SEATTLE (AP) — Skylar Diggins scored 26 factors, together with a jumper within the lane with 4.2 seconds left, Nneka Ogwumike had 24 factors and 10 rebounds, and the Seattle Storm compelled a deciding Sport 3 with an 86-83 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night time.
Seattle gained its first playoff recreation since 2022. The Storm will play at Las Vegas on Thursday for a spot within the WNBA semifinals.
Las Vegas had closed the season on a 16-game profitable streak, earlier than profitable Sport 1 on Sunday.
The Storm trailed 79-70 earlier than closing on a 16-4 run.
Dominique Malonga was fouled whereas making a layup in transition with 31 seconds left and he or she made the free throw to present Seattle its first lead, 84-83, because it was 37-36. Chelsea Grey had a turnover on the different finish looking for Jackie Younger within the lane.
Ogwumike took an inbounds cross with 27.7 seconds left and held the ball close to midcourt till giving it to Diggins with about 14 to go. Diggins drove into the lane and sank a shot close to the free-throw line for a three-point lead.
Las Vegas had an opportunity to tie it on the buzzer however Jewell Loyd’s 3-pointer hit off the suitable aspect of the rim.
Malonga completed with 11 factors and 10 rebounds, and Erica Wheeler additionally scored 11 for Seattle.
Younger led Las Vegas with 25 factors. A’ja Wilson had 21 factors and 13 rebounds for her twenty second playoff double-double.
Ogwumike scored 11 factors within the first quarter, Diggins added 15 factors within the second and Seattle was inside 45-44 on the break after closing on a 7-0 run. Diggins sank a 3-pointer with 51.4 seconds left following her steal, and he or she added two free throws at 32.3.
Diggins had simply 12 factors in Seattle’s loss on Sunday within the collection opener, and Ogwumike had 11.
