Chelsea Grey returns from damage to assist Aces defeat Storm

LAS VEGAS — After lacking the primary 12 video games of the season, level guard Chelsea Grey wanted simply 20 seconds to document her first help because the Las Vegas Aces welcomed her again by defeating the Seattle Storm 94-83 on Wednesday night time.

Grey checked in for the primary time with 1:41 remaining within the first quarter and obtained a thunderous ovation from the gang at Michelob Extremely Area.

A five-time All-Star, Grey had final performed on Oct. 15, Recreation 3 of the 2023 WNBA finals, when she exited within the fourth quarter with a left foot damage. She then missed Recreation 4 when Las Vegas beat New York to clinch a second straight WNBA championship.

Grey’s first official contribution to the 2024 season was an help to Alysha Clark, who knocked down a 3-point shot from the wing with 1:21 to go within the first quarter that gave the Aces a 26-13 lead. It was the 1,five hundredth help of Grey’s profession, as she turned the ninth WNBA participant to succeed in the milestone.

Grey — affectionately known as the “level gawd” by the Aces’ devoted — performed 15:half-hour, ending with 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 level.

After the sport, Grey walked off the ground to greet her spouse and son, who have been celebrating her return.

“I in all probability went via each emotion main as much as as we speak,” Grey stated. “I used to be just a little anxious all day. It has been a very long time since I have been out on that court docket. However the followers have been superb from the time I got here out to heat as much as the time I checked within the sport. It was a rush and a sense I missed loads.”

Now in her tenth WNBA season, Grey has averaged 12.4 factors, 3.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists for her profession. Final season, she averaged 15.3 factors, 7.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in main the Aces to back-to-back titles.

Previous to Grey’s return Wednesday night time, the Aces had misplaced 5 of their previous seven video games.

“Felt like my coronary heart,” Aces coach Becky Hammon stated of listening to the gang erupt for Grey’s return. “She’s the chief of our staff. I assumed she did a beautiful job too.”

Grey joined the Aces forward of the 2021 WNBA season after spending 5 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks and was the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP.

Grey, who additionally received Olympic gold in Tokyo, will be part of the U.S. ladies’s nationwide basketball staff on the Paris Video games subsequent month.

5 Aces gamers scored in double figures Wednesday, led by Jackie Younger’s 31 factors. A’ja Wilson added 27 factors and 9 rebounds.

“It was nice to have the ability to move [Young] the basketball and be on the market on the ground,” Grey stated. “That woman good!”

The Aces (7-6) return to the court docket Saturday in opposition to the league-leading Connecticut Solar (13-1).