We are truly in the postseason now. The Las Vegas Aces hit the court for Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Seattle Storm, armed with not only their championship pedigree but also the momentum of A’ja Wilson’s unanimous MVP win. As the 2x defending WNBA champions, they boasted double playoff experience on their roster than the Storm. However, as the game unfolded, that advantage didn’t immediately shine through despite having a happy ending for the Aces, as 35-year-old guard Tiffany Hayes came to the rescue.

The first quarter was completely hi-jacked by Storm, which resulted in a nine-point lead. Although the Las Vegas Aces managed to rally and briefly tie the game in the second quarter, they went into halftime down by four. It was anticipated that the now 3x MVP would come roaring down their opponents, but it rather turned out a shocker when Wilson could hit just a single bucket from open play and had low 4 points by the end of the second quarter. Adding to the Aces’ woes was their second top scorer of the regular season, Kelsey Plum.

Tiffany Hayes and A’ja Wilson lead Aces’ comeback as Kelsey Plum struggles in playoff opener

The 3x All-Star guard, who usually partners with A’ja Wilson to give Las Vegas their offensive spark, surprisingly went scoreless in the first half, despite starting the game and playing over 15 minutes. On the other side, Storm veteran Nneka Ogwumike took charge with an impressive 13 points, while Jordan Horston added eight of her own, putting Seattle in a better position by the end of the first 20 minutes.

While the Aces were struggling, veteran Chelsea Gray stepped up to notch 10 points. But it wasn’t just Gray who made an impact as another name emerged from the bench with just five minutes to the first quarter and made sure to keep Aces in the battle.

It was Tiffany Hayes with her 12 years of experience, who came off the bench to make a huge impact for the Aces, finishing the second half with 12 points. Her performance provided much-needed relief, but it was in the third quarter that A’ja Wilson truly came alive, dropping 15 points—including a three-pointer—to reignite the team’s offense.

Though the Aces still found themselves down by a point heading into the fourth quarter, the momentum had shifted, thanks to Hayes and Wilson stepping up to lead the charge, finishing the game with 20 and 21 points, respectively.

Ultimately, it all paid off for the defending champions, as the Aces dominated the final quarter, outscoring the Storm 14-2. The only points Seattle managed came from Skylar Diggins-Smith’s free throws. However, it wasn’t a night to remember for Kelsey Plum, who struggled offensively, finishing with just two points on eight field goal attempts. The last time she had less than 5 points in a game was back in June against the Washington Mystics. She’ll need to shake off this performance and step up her game for the next matchup.

Despite Plum’s off night, the Aces found a new hero in Tiffany Hayes. Not only did she play a pivotal role in securing the 78-67 win, but her standout performance also etched her name into the league’s history books.

Tiffany Hayes: The savior who made history in the Aces’ victory

Tiffany Hayes rose to the occasion when her team needed the most and delivered a record-breaking performance against Storm. While the 35-year-old guard didn’t see herself in the starting lineup, she quickly made her appearance with five minutes left in the first quarter. But it was in the second one where she owned the show with 12 points to her name.

Hayes continued to shine throughout and added four points in both the third and fourth quarters to bring her total to 20 by the final buzzer. Along with her scoring, she contributed across the board with 4 rebounds, an assist, and an impressive 5 steals. Remarkably, Hayes made history as the first player in WNBA playoff history to achieve 20 points and five steals while coming off the bench.

Hayes’ return to the Aces is nothing short of fascinating as just last December, she announced her retirement, leaving many to wonder if her playing days were truly over. Yet here she is, making a comeback that could be pivotal for the team. Now, as she steps back onto the court, everyone is eager to see if her comeback can help propel the Aces toward a coveted three-peat.

As the Aces prepare for the next game, they know they can’t take the Storm lightly. Skylar Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams put up solid performances, scoring 16 and 14 points respectively, proving that Seattle is still a formidable opponent. To secure a sweep, the Aces will need to elevate their game, with Kelsey Plum stepping up to make her presence felt.