Seattle holds on to beat Las Vegas at home 76-73 in Game 1 of the Semifinals

Las Vegas Aces #12 Chelsea Gray (PG) jump shot at the top of the free throw lane. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1

LAS VEGAS, NV - Jewell Loyd with 26-points, Breanna Stewart with 24-points, Tina Charles with13-points and a team record eighteen rebounds, and Sue Bird with 12 assists, the Seattle Storm (1-0) knocked off #1 Las Vegas Aces (0-1) 76-73 in Game 1 of the WNBA Semi-finals at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Chelsea Gray was the leading scorer for the Aces with 21-points, Kelsey Plum with 20-points, Jackie Young with 11-points, and A'ja Wilson, shot poorly and made 3 of 10 shots from the floor with only 8-points.

Loyd has been playing great all season for Seattle, night after night, and delivered for her teammates, her head coach Noelle Quinn and her coaching staff.

"It wasn't just me, it was a team effort for sure," Loyd said. "It helps when you have really good teammates ... you believe in them, they believe in you. That's the biggest thing for us, is that each of us has to stay confident in what we do and what we can bring to the team. That's been the key for us."

Seattle came out the gate fast with great energy on offense, and defense led 15-4, and at the end of the first quarter were leading by eleven points, 26-15.

Las Vegas would go on a 12-4 run in the second quarter led by Wilson, now trail the Storm by three points, 30-27.

Seattle would respond with a run of their own, 13-9, to lead at halftime 43-36, with Breanna Stewart scoring 9-points during that stretch.

Seattle Storm #31 Tina Charles (C) going strong to the basket against Las Vegas Aces #22 A'ja Wilson. Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.

The Aces were up by ten points, 63-53, at the end of the third quarter, and then things got interesting.

Las Vegas clamped down on defense and got their first lead in the fourth quarter, 65-64, with a three-pointer by Riquna Williams with 6:15 left in the game.

Kelsey Plum gave the Aces a 67-64 with her driving layup. Loyd would make a jump to pull the Storm within two points, 67-66. Chelsea Gray would make two free throws to Las Vegas a 69-66 lead with 4:11 left in the game.

Seattle Storm #24 Jewell Loyd (SG) floating layup over the outreached hand of Las Vegas Aces #22 A'ja Wilson (PF). Photo by Omer Khan/TGSportstv1.

The Storm was in striking distant trailing 69-68 with a floating layup shot by Loyd from the right side of the basket.

Seattle would lead 73-71 with a three-pointer by Loyd with 1:45 left in the game. Gray would tie the game 73-73 with her jump shot.

The Storm was up by three points, 76-73, after a made free throw and a jump shot by Loyd.

Plum had a chance to tie the game, but her shot was no good, and the Storm stole Game 1 from the Aces on their home court in the best-of-five series.