Las Vegas Aces guard Sydney Colson, left, autographs a stuffed animal for Calvin Heuer, center, as his mother Megan Heuer, upper right, looks on before a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
The Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Chelsea Gray had 33 points, seven rebounds and nine assists and Las Vegas wrapped up the best regular-season record in the WNBA, defeating Seattle 109-100 in a regular-season finale on Sunday.
Kelsey Plum, who had 23 points for the Aces, scored seven points in the final minute. Her 3-pointer with 58 seconds left put Las Vegas up by six and she added two more field goals as the Aces (26-10) clinched the top seed in the playoffs.
Seattle's Jewell Loyd scored a career-high 38 points that included 8 of 14 from 3-point distance. The Storm (22-14) made 18 3-pointers.
A'Ja Wilson had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Aces and Riquna Williams scored 11 points. Gray was 10-for-15 from the field and 11-for-11 from the free throw line where the Aces made 20 of 24 as a team. Seattle was 6-for-7 from the line.
Breanna Stewart had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Storm and Gabby Williams added 11 points.
Briann January's 3-pointer with about two minutes left in the third quarter put the Storm up by 10 before Las Vegas closed the period with a 12-0 run to lead 78-76 heading to the fourth.
Las Vegas defeated Chicago and Seattle in consecutive games to clinch the top playoff spot, having defeated the defending champion Sky 89-78 on Thursday.
Seattle was already assured of the No. 4 seed and will open the playoffs at home against No. 5 Washington on Thursday.
The Aces' opening-round opponent will be eighth-seeded Phoenix, with the series beginning Wednesday in Las Vegas.
Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) defends Las Vegas Aces guard Riquna Williams (2) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) smiles while heading to the bench during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, center, cuts between Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd, left, and forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird gets a hug from Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul after a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. It was Bird's final regular season WNBA game. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum, right, drives against Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) pumps her fist after scoring during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Las Vegas Aces chief business development officer Jennifer Azzi, left, and A'ja Wilson, right, present a custom leather jacket to Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird before a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. The game was Bird's final regular-season WNBA game. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Las Vegas Aces mascot Buckets performs during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray is fouled by Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart, behind, during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
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Las Vegas Aces guard Kierstan Bell (1) celebrates with teammates during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Sam Morris)
The Associated Press