By: Ben McCormick
September 7, 2022
How do you follow up 29 points and 12 assists in one of the greatest games in the history of the WNBA Playoffs? By dropping 31 points and 10 assists in a game four closer to send your team to the finals. Chelsea Gray has been as good as anyone in the league over the course of these Playoffs, and now the Aces are headed to The Finals.
Coming into game three in Seattle, Gray was shooting a blistering 66.7% from the floor during the playoffs, which was the best mark of any single player in WNBA playoff history...and she's a guard. Somehow shooting 5 for 9 from three lowered her percentages. That's how unstoppable the former Duke guard has been. She went on to throw the pass to Jackie Young who hit the exciting go ahead lay-up with 0.8 seconds in regulation to force overtime in game three. Gray's 29 and 12, alongside MVP candidate A'ja Wilson's 34 points and 11 rebounds on 70% shooting from the field was good enough to boost the Aces to a 110-98 victory over the Seattle Storm in overtime, and give them a 2-1 series lead heading into game four Tuesday night.
Game four delivered the Aces their second finals appearance in the last three seasons. Chelsea Gray's pristinely perfect playoff run continues.
The Las Vegas Aces fell short in the 2020 finals, but fresh off defeating the Storm in Sue Bird's final game of her illustrious career, and handing Breanna Stewart her first playoff series loss ever–the Aces are riding a monumental wave of momentum towards what they hope may be their first WNBA title.
Vegas now awaits the winner of game five of Chicago Sky vs. Connecticut Sun on Thursday night (Connecticut won big over Chicago to force a game five Tuesday night).
Gray heads to the finals on the coat tales of one of the greatest playoff performances in league history. She averaged 25 PPG and 8.5 APG on ridiculously accurate shooting splits in four games against Seattle. Even though Gray shares the court with potential league MVP A'ja Wilson, her success is not due to a lack of defensive attention. In fact, Gray was the primary focus of Seattle's defensive game plan in game four. Right out of the gate, Seattle was playing close and physical with Gray. Denying the ball and picking up full court every possession. But, Chelsea Gray didn't care. She shook it off and dropped shots like a woman possessed.
With just a minute to play, Chelsea Gray made two masterful shots to give the Aces the momentum, and ultimately, the win. When asked how she got that final three to fall in her postgame interview with ESPN, Gray said, "Shit, I don't know how it went in, I'm just glad it did."
A euphoric statement that echoed the feelings of all Aces fans Tuesday night.
The Sisterhood's very own is setting the nets on fire as she blazes her way into the WNBA Finals.
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