The Seattle Storm poured everything into Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces while pushing the defending champs to the brink in a nail-biting 74-73 defeat. This was yet another unavoidable misery for them as the Storm face an imminent coaching shake-up.
With the season on the line, Erica Wheeler had a chance to etch her name in WNBA lore. However, her potential game-winning shot rimmed out, sending the Storm home and the Aces to the semifinals.
Erica Wheeler Sets Record Straight After Game 3 Loss
For a team that fought tooth and nail to avoid the unfortunate, the loss stung. As the Aces celebrated their 18th straight win while tying a WNBA record, the Storm walked away with heads high. Though things really got chippy during the last leg of the game.
With 4.2 seconds left in Game 3, the Storm trailed by one, and Erica Wheeler had the ball in her hands to change things around. She drove left, shook her defender, and launched a clean look from 15 feet that could’ve forced a Game 4. Though Storm did make a WNBA record with a comeback win against the Wings, this time around, things are completely different.
However, the shot rattled out, sealing a 74-73 Aces victory and ending the Storm’s season in front of a sold-out crowd of 14,092. Despite all that, Wheeler didn’t shy away from the moment.
“I’ll take that shot every time. Losing by 1 hurts. We gave them a battle. This wasn’t a walk in the park for them,” she told ESPN’s Michael Voepel.
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Guard Erica Wheeler said of her final shot miss, "I'll take that shot every time. Losing by 1 hurts. We gave them a battle. This wasn't a walk in the park for them." And Nneka Ogwumike said she was proud of how @seattlestorm fought in 74-73 loss to @LVAces in Game 3 tonight.
— Michael Voepel (@MAVoepel) September 19, 2025
Just as deterred as her words, this was the same guard who helped the Storm in their Game 1 and Game 2 with double-digit point tallies. Additionally, she has averaged 8.9 points and 4.2 assists off the bench this season, was a spark plug throughout the series. Erica also dished out six assists and scored 12 points in Game 3 while hounding A’ja Wilson on defense.
Seattle Storm Has Good Hope From Erica Wheeler For 2026 Season Push
Despite the heartbreak, the Storm’s performance against the Aces showed they’re closer to contending than their 11th-place finish last year suggested. Ogwumike, in her second year with Seattle, is averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. At the same time, Williams’ two-way play and Sykes’ veteran savvy gave them a puncher’s chance.
Coach Noelle Quinn, who’s drawn praise for her player-first approach, kept the team cohesive despite a midseason skid. However, Wheeler’s role as a spark off the bench will be key moving forward. At 34, her experience complements a young core that includes Ezi Magbegor and rookie Nika Mühl.