On Friday night, the Seattle Storm will travel to the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas to face the Las Vegas Aces in a pivotal WNBA matchup. Scheduled for a 10 p.m. ET tip-off and broadcast on ION, this game marks the third meeting between these two Western Conference rivals in the 2025 season. Both teams have split their previous two encounters, with the Storm scoring a season-high 102 points in their May 25 victory over the Aces. As the season hits its midpoint, this contest carries significant weight for playoff positioning and momentum.
Seattle enters the game with a 7-5 record, sitting fifth in the league and riding a strong wave of recent success, having won four of their last five games. They are coming off a commanding 98-67 win over the Los Angeles Sparks, where Nneka Ogwumike led the charge with 26 points, complemented by 15 points each from Skylar Diggins and Erica Wheeler. The Storm have been firing on all cylinders offensively, ranking sixth in league scoring and boasting the best three-point shooting percentage. Their disciplined ball control is evident as they tally the third-fewest turnovers in the league, while defensively, they hold opponents to the sixth-lowest points per game.
Key contributors for Seattle include Skylar Diggins, who averages 17.8 points and 6.2 assists per game while shooting an impressive 42.2% from beyond the arc. Her sharpshooting has been a consistent threat, especially over the last four games where she has hit 50% from three-point range on six attempts per game. Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike is a force on the boards and inside the paint, contributing 16.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Gabby Williams adds versatility with averages of 14.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.7 steals per game, while shooting a team-best 42.9% from three-point range. Off the bench, Erica Wheeler provides a steady 10 points per game, bolstering the Storm’s depth.
Despite their strong form, rebounding remains a slight vulnerability for Seattle. They average the second-fewest rebounds per game in the league and were notably out-rebounded 33-20 in their lone loss over the past five games against the Dallas Wings. However, the Las Vegas Aces are not ideally positioned to exploit this weakness, as they themselves rank near the bottom in rebounding metrics, sitting 11th in rebounds per game and allowing the second-most rebounds to opponents. The Aces’ overall rebounding rate is just 47.3%, second-lowest in the WNBA, which has been a persistent issue this season.
The Las Vegas Aces come into Friday’s game with a 5-6 record, struggling to find consistency after a strong run in previous seasons. They have lost four of their last five games and were most recently defeated 76-62 by the Minnesota Lynx. The Aces’ offensive production has been underwhelming, ranking ninth in scoring and last in field goal percentage. Their defense allows 82.5 points per game, placing them eighth in the league, but opponents are shooting the fourth-best percentage against them, highlighting defensive lapses.
Reigning three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson has been the centerpiece of the Aces’ efforts, averaging a robust 20.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. However, Wilson’s season has been interrupted by a concussion that sidelined her for the previous three games. She is listed as questionable for Friday’s contest, and her availability is a key factor in the game’s outlook. The Aces went 1-2 without Wilson, and even with her presence, the team has faced challenges, posting a net rating of -4.0, ranking ninth out of 13 teams. The ongoing adjustments following the Kelsey Plum trade have contributed to the team’s uneven performance.
Other contributors for Las Vegas include Jackie Young, who averages 18.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, and Jewell Loyd, who leads the team in three-point shooting percentage at 41.8%, averaging 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. Chelsea Gray also adds 14.5 points per contest, providing veteran leadership and playmaking. Despite the talent, the Aces have struggled against the spread this season, going 3-8 overall, 1-4 at home, and 0-3 as underdogs, indicating they have often underperformed relative to expectations.
From a betting perspective, the Seattle Storm are favored as 1.5-point favorites with -125 moneyline odds, while the Aces are +105 underdogs. The total points line is set at 160.5, reflecting expectations for a competitive but somewhat restrained scoring affair. Notably, the Storm have a positive net rating of +7.8 and have covered the spread in seven of their 12 games, contrasting with the Aces’ negative net rating of -2.7. This statistical edge, combined with Seattle’s recent form and shooting efficiency, positions them well to extend their winning momentum on the road.
One prop bet to watch is Skylar Diggins making two or more three-pointers. She has hit this mark in six games this season, including four consecutive contests, and her current shooting rhythm suggests she will continue to be a deep-shooting threat against the Aces’ defense. Additionally, Nneka Ogwumike is projected to surpass 8.5 rebounds in this matchup. Although she was held to exactly eight rebounds in both previous games against Las Vegas, the Aces’ porous interior defense—allowing 38.2 points per game in the paint, the second-worst rate in the league—should provide Ogwumike ample opportunity to dominate the glass and create second-chance opportunities.
Fans looking to watch the game have multiple options. The matchup will be broadcast on ION and streamed via platforms such as FuboTV, Sling Freestream, DirecTV, and Amazon Prime with a WNBA League Pass. Sling Freestream offers free access with account creation, while other services provide free trials and discounts for new subscribers, making it accessible for a wide audience eager to catch this Western Conference showdown.
Looking ahead, the Storm will continue their schedule with games against the New York Liberty, Indiana Fever, and Connecticut Sun, while the Aces face upcoming matches with the Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun, and Washington Mystics. Both teams are eager to build momentum as the season progresses, but Friday’s contest could be a defining moment, particularly depending on A’ja Wilson’s status and how well the Aces can address their rebounding and shooting woes.
With the Storm’s recent dominance on offense and the Aces struggling to find cohesion, especially without a fully available Wilson, the scales tip slightly in Seattle’s favor. However, the Aces’ talent and home-court advantage ensure this game will be hard-fought and unpredictable until the final buzzer. Fans can expect a high-energy battle that could have significant implications for the remainder of the WNBA season.
