Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Kelsey Plum and A'ja Wilson combined for 53 of the Las Vegas Aces' 83 points to fuel a series-clinching win over the Seattle Storm, punching a ticket to the 2024 WNBA semifinals.
Plum logged a game-high 29 points in the 83-76 triumph Tuesday at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Wilson, who earned WNBA MVP honors Sunday, chipped in 24 points and 13 rebounds. She scored 18 in the first half.
"It's anybody on any given night and it's just about winning," Aces coach Becky Hammon told reporters.
The No. 4 Aces will face the top-seeded New York Liberty in the semifinals. The Liberty advanced by completing a first-round sweep, clinching its series with a 91-82 victory over the No. 8 Atlanta Dream on Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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"We have to focus on what we do," Plum said of the matchup with the Liberty.
The Aces outscored the Storm 42-34 in the paint, 9-6 off fast breaks and led by as many as 16 points. The game had just two lead changes.
Aces guard Chelsea Gray registered 12 points, nine assists and four rebounds. Plum logged six rebounds and three assists, in addition to her game-high point total.
Gabby Williams scored 20 points. Fellow Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike totaled 16 points and 10 rebounds. Center Ezi Magbegor chipped in 14 points. Veteran guard Skylar Diggins-Smith registered 13 points and 10 assists.
The Liberty will host the Aces in Game 1 of the best-of-five game semifinals series on Saturday at Barclays Center.
WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and the No. 6 Indiana Fever (0-1) will face the No. 3 Connecticut Sun (1-0) in Game 2 of their first-round series at 7:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Uncasville, Conn.
The No. 2 Minnesota Lynx (1-0) will host the No. 7 Phoenix Mercury (0-1) in the Game 2 of their first-round series at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in Minneapolis. The winner of that series will face the Sun or Fever in the semifinals.
