Aces vs Storm: Will Chelsea Gray Finally Play After 247 Days? Injury Report, Prediction and Starting 5

Who’ll win- Aces or Storm? The 2x WNBA champions Las Vegas Aces are not off to an ideal season as they have won the same number of games as they have lost (6-6) while in the 2023 season, they had lost in the entirety of the season a total of 6 games. Even in their last matchup against the Seattle Storm, they stared at a loss with a gap of 13 points. However, with the return of one of their star, can the Aces hope for a different outcome?

The hype isn’t about who’ll win. Interestingly, Las Vegas Aces’ point guard, Chelsea Gray, will most likely be making her season debut this Wednesday. Last season in the WNBA finals, Gray injured her left foot, which cost her 247 days. Since then, her return to the team has been eagerly awaited. But Gray isn’t the only player hitting the hardwood.

Injury Status in the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces camps

Both the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces will be missing one player each from their team. From the Seattle Storm, Mackenzie Holmes will not be making an appearance in today’s matchup. The WNBA draft’s No. 26 overall pick underwent knee surgery before her arrival in the WNBA. Notably, Holmes played five seasons with Indiana University, where she became the all-time leading scorer.

From the Las Vegas Aces, Kierstan Bell will remain inactive due to her right leg injury. Bell made her last on-court appearance in the season-opening game versus the Washington Mystics. Since then, she has remained in the walking boot as she suffered an injury, with rookie Kate Martin taking her place. As of now, Bell’s return timetable hasn’t been shared.

Meanwhile, let’s glance at some important stats before the interesting matchup.

Which team holds the upper hand in the Aces vs. Storm matchup?

Since 2005, the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm have faced each other 79 times. The Aces have 38 wins, and at present, they have an impressive 86.8 PPG while the Seattle Storm won 41 times and currently has an average of 83.1 points per game.

Undoubtedly, the upcoming matchup between the Aces and Storm will be a neck-and-neck battle. However, according to ESPN, Seattle Storm holds a 28% chance of winning. The starting lineup for the Storm is estimated to be Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jordan Horston, Jewell Loyd, Joyner Holmes, and Ezi Magbegor.

The Las Vegas Aces, on the other hand, are expected to clinch the victory with chances as high as 72%. For the Aces, their starting five will be A’ja Wilson, Kia Stokes, Alysha Clark, Chelsea Gray, and Kate Martin.

Clearly, the Storm vs. Aces will be a mouth-watering clash that will keep spectators on the edge of their seats. With the highest scorer in the league having 28 points per game, Wilson and Co. are likely to be the favorites on the court today. But the Storm’s top scorer Loyd, with an average of 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, shouldn’t be underestimated. Now the question is: who’ll win?

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.