3 takeaways from Aces’ loss: Poor defense ruins Loyd’s return to Seattle
Becky Hammon is known to offer explicit post-mortems after losses. The Aces coach often yells to a press room about poor defensive fundamentals or a lack of effort.
Hammon, after a 102-82 loss to the Seattle Storm on Sunday at Climate Pledge Arena, didn’t raise her voice or utter a single curse word, however.
Her short answers, given while standing, left three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson to contextualize the defeat, which spoiled newcomer Jewell Loyd’s first game against her former team since she requested a trade this offseason.
“I’m not gonna hang my head too low about this,” Wilson said. “Yes, it sucks. Obviously, I wanted to win for Jewell and everyone else that came out and supported us, but it’s a part of the game.”
Wilson had 15 points for the Aces. Loyd, who played 10 years for the Storm, and guard Jackie Young added 14 points each.
The Aces (2-2) don’t have a winning record after their first four games for the first time since 2021. Seattle led by as many as 27 points Sunday. It was only the Aces’ third 20-point loss in Hammon’s four seasons in charge.
“My biggest thing is making sure that my teammates understand that we’re still early in the season and we’re still figuring out some stuff,” Wilson said. “So it’ll be a long season. But hey, we’re used to it.”
Here are three takeaways from the loss to the Storm (3-1):
1. Loyd controls emotions
The Aces ended Seattle’s season last year by winning the first two games of their best-of-three first-round round playoff series.
Sunday was a revenge game for the Storm. But for a moment, it looked like Loyd would be getting retribution after a difficult exit from Seattle.
Former Aces forward Alysha Clark, who signed with the Storm in February, scored the first two points of the game with a quick post up. But Loyd went on to score her team’s first nine points after Seattle played a heartfelt tribute video in her honor.
“I watched some bits and pieces … but I really tried to focus on the game as much as possible and not get too emotional here or there,” Loyd said. “But I appreciate it.”
Loyd’s strong start was a distant memory by the end of the first quarter. Seattle had a 34-20 lead by the end of the opening frame. The Storm finished with the most total points in a game by any team this season.
“I got the same looks throughout the game,” Loyd said. “Some shots go in, some shots don’t. But staying active, that’s really what I’m trying to focus on — on both ends.”
2. Defense
The Aces had the most problems on defense.
Seattle shot 68 percent from the field in the first half. The Storm also scored 16 fast break points and allowed none.
“The effort wasn’t there, the discipline wasn’t there. We’re breaking our own rules,” Hammon said of the defense. “So until the system is ran correctly, it’s really hard to make adjustments, because you don’t know if plan A is going to work.”
Wilson was more optimistic, crediting Seattle’s offensive talent.
Forward Nneka Ogwumike had 23 points, while guard Erica Wheeler added 21 off the bench. Guard Skylar Diggins had 10 points and eight assists and formed a formidable pick-and-roll combo with Ogwumike.
“It’s really just one of those things where you got to pick your poison,” Wilson said. “So yeah, it can get difficult at times. But I think the biggest thing for us is continuing to build that trust on the defensive end and layers to our defense. I think we probably got one layer down.”
3. Kitley breaks through
Aces starting center Kiah Stokes doesn’t have a point in four games, though she did have four rebounds and a block against the Storm.
That left Hammon to turn to 2024 second-round pick Elizabeth Kitley for most of the second half.
Kitley finished with 11 points, fourth-most on the Aces. She scored six straight points in the paint after being subbed in.
“I thought she played great with the minutes she was given, so she’ll be getting more minutes,” Hammon said.
Hammon praised Stokes’ defense, but said the Aces needed a scoring threat.
“They just weren’t guarding (Stokes), so we were playing five on four,” Hammon said. “It’s hard to get an offensive flow when that happens. But I thought our bench gave us solid minutes. That was the bright spot.”
Contact Callie Fin at cfin@reviewjournal.com. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.