Kenya, Sept. 17 -- Skylar Diggins-Smith The Storm-Aces matchup has electrified WNBA fans after the Seattle Storm's point guard delivered a gritty 12-point performance in a heartbreaking 102-77 playoff opener loss to the defending champions on September 14, 2025, underscoring her pivotal role in Seattle's push for an upset in the best-of-three first-round series.
Diggins-Smith, the 2024 AP Comeback Player of the Year, tallied six assists and two steals alongside her scoring, but it wasn't enough against A'ja Wilson's dominant 29-point explosion, as the No. 2 seed Aces extended their regular-season winning streak to 16 games into the postseason.
With Game 2 looming Tuesday in Las Vegas, the 35-year-old veteran's leadership becomes crucial for the seventh-seeded Storm to extend their season and chase a deep playoff run. Diggins-Smith's journey to this high-stakes Skylar Diggins-Smith Storm Aces Clash is a tale of resilience and reinvention.
After sitting out the 2023 season for maternity leave following the birth of her second child, she signed with Seattle in February 2024, reuniting with Notre Dame college teammate Jewell Loyd and joining forces with Nneka Ogwumike in a revamped backcourt.
Her debut year was stellar: starting all 40 games, she averaged 15.1 points, 6.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and a career-high 0.9 blocks, ranking fourth league-wide in assists and etching her name in Storm lore with a franchise-record 257 dimes.
That breakout earned her the Comeback honour, a nod to overcoming injuries like a 2015 ACL tear against the very Storm she now calls home.
During the regular-season finale against the Aces in June, Diggins-Smith scored 21 points, including 19 in the second half, which led to a 78-65 upset victory. Her seven assists played a crucial role in orchestrating Seattle's sixth consecutive win, demonstrating her clutch ability against Las Vegas' elite lineup.
The playoff dynamics add layers to this rivalry. The Aces, boasting Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, who notched 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and four steals in Game 1, overwhelmed Seattle early, building a 14-point halftime lead that ballooned.
For the Storm, Loyd managed 14 points, while Gabby Williams led with 16, but defensive lapses allowed Vegas to shoot 52% from the field. Diggins-Smith's postgame comments highlighted team grit:"We knew they'd come out strong, but our adjustments in Game 2 will focus on ball pressure and transition stops."
Fans on social media are rallying, sharing highlights of her signature speed and court vision, with many predicting a bounce-back win to force a decisive third game back in Seattle.
This series tests Diggins-Smith's veteran savvy against the Aces' dynasty hunger, especially after her past battles with Phoenix and Tulsa Shock, where she earned six All-Star nods and top-10 finishes in scoring and assists multiple times.
As the Skylar Diggins-Smith Storm Aces series intensifies, her poise under pressure could swing the momentum, blending her elite playmaking with Seattle's balanced attack to challenge the favourites.
With the WNBA playoffs heating up and eyes on potential semifinals clashes, Diggins-Smith's story of comeback and camaraderie inspires young guards dreaming of similar spotlights, ensuring this matchup cements her legacy in women's basketball's evolving landscape.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.