Chelsea Gray returns from injury to help Aces beat Storm

LAS VEGAS – After missing the first 12 games of the season, point guard Chelsea Gray needed just 20 seconds to record her first assist as the Las Vegas Aces welcomed her back by beating the Seattle Storm 94-83 on Wednesday night.

Gray checked in for the first time with 1:41 left in the first quarter and received a thunderous ovation from the crowd at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Gray, a five-time All-Star, last played on Oct. 15, Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals, when she exited in the fourth quarter with a left foot injury. She then missed Game 4 as Las Vegas defeated New York to earn a second straight WNBA championship.

Gray’s first official contribution of the 2024 season was an assist to Alysha Clark, who knocked down a three-point shot from the wing with 1:21 to go in the first quarter, giving the Aces a 26-13 lead. It was the 1,500th assist of Gray’s career, as she became the ninth WNBA player to reach the milestone.

Gray – affectionately known as the ‘point gawd’ by loyal Aces fans – played 15:30 minutes and finished with 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 point.

After the match, Gray walked off the floor to greet her wife and son, who celebrated her return.

“I probably went through all the emotions leading up to today,” Gray said. “I was a little worried all day. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on that field. But the fans were great from the moment I came out to warm up to the moment I checked into the game. It was a rush and a feeling that I have missed dearly.”

Now in her 10th WNBA season, Gray has averaged a career-high 12.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Last season, she averaged 15.3 points, 7.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds as she led the Aces to back-to-back titles.

Prior to Gray’s return Wednesday night, the Aces had lost five of their past seven games.

“It felt like my heart broke,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said when he heard the crowd erupt for Gray’s return. “She’s the leader of our team. I thought she did a great job too.”

Gray joined the Aces prior to the 2021 WNBA season after spending five seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks and was the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP.

Gray, who also won Olympic gold in Tokyo, will be part of the U.S. national basketball team at the Paris Games next month.

Five Aces players scored in double figures on Wednesday, led by Jackie Young’s 31 points. A’ja Wilson added 27 points and 9 rebounds.

“It was great to be able to pass (Young) the basketball and be on the floor,” Gray said. “That girl is good!”

The Aces (7-6) return to the field on Saturday against the league-leader Connecticut Sun (13-1).