Is Katie Lou Samuelson Playing Tonight vs. the Las Vegas Aces? Seattle Storm Injury Report, Starting-5, and More

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The Seattle Storm is getting ready for a high-pressure clash against the Las Vegas Aces tonight, May 25, 2025, at Climate Pledge Arena, with both teams scoring a 2-1 jotted down after a back-to-back win. The Storm, succeeding a 79-71 sweep over the Dallas Wings, is led the way by the dynamic combo of Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins, who merged for 44 points in their previous game. Meanwhile, the Aces just finished with an exciting 75-72 victory over the Washington Mystics and are fueled by A’ja Wilson’s league-leading 22.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game.

Both teams have found their flow in the 2025 WNBA season, this fight is sure to be a blockbuster battle. As the Storm is ready to face the countering champs, let us see who’s in, who’s out, and what we’re expecting in this thrilling matchup. 

Seattle Storm vs Las Vegas Aces injury report and lineup: Who’s in and who’s out?

The Seattle Storm is coping with many injury challenges initially this season. Unfortunately, forward Katie Lou Samuelson will not be participating against the Las Vegas Aces. She signed a one-year contract deal with the Storm in February, and then she suffered a torn ACL in her right knee during a practice session on May 1, 2025, and it is projected that she will miss the entire 2025 WNBA season following surgery. Coach Noelle Quinn shared a disheartening update over the injury, noting Samuelson’s tough training camp and potential impact, stating, “She was having such a great camp — in great shape, her spirit was great, shooting the ball really well, and just able to plug some holes that we have. Obviously, the deficiency from 3 was big, but defensively, the versatility. I knew that this was going to be a great year for her.

Moreover, the Storm is lacking guards. Nika Muhl suffered an ACL tear in October 2024 while playing in Turkey, and Jordan Horston suffered the same injury but in February 2025. Both players are held out for the 2025 season and are on the suspended list to handle the team’s salary cap. Meanwhile, there are no new injuries revealed, but the Storm’s roster is extended, slim, rely on their multiskilled veterans to fill the void. 

Despite these drawbacks, the Storm have preserved their standing lineup through their early three games and are looking to run it back against the Aces. Their predicted starting five is:

#3 – Guard – Skylar Diggins
#5 – Guard – Gabby Williams
#13 – Forward – Nneka Ogwumike
#21 – Forward – Alysha Clark
#24 – Center – Ezi Magbegor

The Las Vegas Aces, however, are in good shape with no new injuries documented. Their expected starting lineup, built on recent games, includes:

#0 – Guard – Jackie Young
#3 – Guard – Jewell Loyd
#10 – Guard – Kelsey Plum
#12 – Forward – Alysha Gray
#22 – Center – A’ja Wilson

The Aces’ lineup, powered by A’ja Wilson’s dominance in the paint and Kelsey Plum’s quick-trigger shooting, will test Seattle’s grit, especially with Coach Becky Hammon likely pushing a fast pace to tire out the Storm’s short bench.

Game Predictions: Can the Storm Upset the Aces?

The Storm’s 79-71 victory over the Dallas Wings displayed their toughness, with Nneka Ogwumike’s double-double of 23 points and 18 rebounds and Skylar Diggins’ close-by triple-double of 21 points and 9 assists running off with the show. However, their season-starting 81-59 loss to the Phoenix Mercury revealed displeasing struggles, as they shot just 33.3% from the field. The Aces, meanwhile, have prospered after Jewell Loyd’s clutch three-pointer sank the Mystics, though their belated game execution has displayed sensitivity as Washington closely stole the victory. 

According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, the Aces are expected to win at home, defeating the Storm with a 65.4% chance of the win. The Aces’ stellar lineup and Wilson’s power as a supporting player have them a fringe, but Seattle’s veteran guidance and defensive gravel could keep this game tight. The Storm’s high-tempo style, managed by Diggins’ backcourt play and Ogwumike’s all-around flexibility, might exploit Las Vegas’s irregular defensive failure, as sight in their near-collapse against Washington. 

We’re speculating on a tight neck-to-neck game, but Storm have a gunfight at an upset if Diggins continues her scoring frisk and Magbegor can keep Wilson in the paint. The young pick No. 2 Dominique Malonga, who scored two points off the bench against Dallas, could also prove her glimmer. We predict Seattle to bring off an 80-82 win, maximizing on their action and home-court vigour at Climate Pledge Arena. Fans on Twitter are humming about this matchup, with one post stating, “Storm vs. Aces is gonna be a dogfight—Diggins vs. Loyd is must-watch!

With the game in Seattle, the Storm will feed off the home crowd’s energy, but the Aces’ star power will be tough to overcome. Can Diggins and Ogwumike outshine Wilson and Loyd, or will Las Vegas continue their winning ways? Let’s see if the Storm can shock the WNBA world tonight!

Well, Seattle will have the advantage of home-court and home crowd cheering, but the Aces’ star action will be enough to shut the mouth of the fans in the home-court? Can Diggins and Ogwumike surpass Wilson and Loyd, or will Las Vegas keep their winning legacy? Let us see if the Storm can surprise the WNBA world tonight!

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