When A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces meet the Seattle Storm this time around, it’s not just about bruised egos, it’s about cold hard cash, too. The revenge has a price tag, and it’s exactly $500,000. Why? Because this isn’t just any regular-season game; it’s the kickoff of the WNBA’s fifth annual Commissioner’s Cup. The stakes? Bragging rights and a big fat bonus. 

So, if you thought emotions were high last time, wait till tip-off hits this Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. The last time these two clashed, it was a night the Aces would probably rather erase from their memory. Seattle came out swinging and handed them a rough 102-82 blowout. That was Jewell Loyd’s first game against her former squad. So yes, double the sting. But now, the Aces have a shot at redemption and they’re going to want it bad.

Injuries and predicted starting lineup

Las Vegas Aces

• Megan Gustafson: Out (Leg)
• Cheyenne Parker-Tyus: Out (Personal)

Predicted starting five

• Jewell Loyd
• Jackie Young
• A’ja Wilson
• Kiah Stokes
• Chelsea Gray

Seattle Storm

• Katie Lou Samuelson: Out for the season (Knee)

Predicted starting five

• Skylar Diggins-Smith
• Erica Wheeler
• Gabby Williams
• Ezi Magbegor
• Nneka Ogwumike

What to expect this time around

The Aces didn’t stay down for long. Just five days after that Seattle drubbing, they bounced back with a dominant 96-81 win over the Sparks and spoiled Kelsey Plum’s homecoming while they were at it. A’ja Wilson came through with a monster 35-point, 13-rebound performance. Seattle, on the other hand, has been sliding. After that big win over Vegas, they dropped two in a row – first to the league-leading Lynx (82-77), then to Atlanta (94-87). Not exactly the momentum you want going into a high-stakes Cup opener.

And speaking of the Cup, let’s not forget the history. The Aces know what it takes – they won it all in 2022 and were runners-up last year. But a slow start in the 2023 edition meant they didn’t even make the final. The Storm were right there at 4-1 last year but missed out on the championship game due to a tiebreaker with Minnesota.

So both teams have unfinished business when it comes to this tourney. As for their last head-to-head, Seattle absolutely torched them. Nneka Ogwumike balled out with 23 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists. Wilson, meanwhile, had 15 points and 5 rebounds, which, is way below her usual standards.

But let’s not get it twisted. Another blowout is hard to picture. This is still the Las Vegas Aces we’re talking about, arguably the deepest roster in the league and home to the best player in the game. Wilson’s season stats are chef’s kiss: 23.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game. She’s doing it all. If she’s locked in, the Aces can absolutely flip the script.

Still, don’t count out the Storm. ESPN’s predictor is giving the edge to Seattle in what’s expected to be a tight one.