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Jewell Loyd · Even without getting too far ahead of herself, Jewell Loyd wasn’t oblivious to how impactful a victory over the WNBA’s back-to-back title winners was for the Seattle Storm and their long-term goal of reentering the championship conversation. As for the short term, the conversations and company she’s putting herself alongside haven’t been too shabby, either. Taking in the scene of the Las Vegas Aces’ set defense, the 2023 scoring champion introduces Kate Martin to her veteran savvy, laying the bait with a back-to-basket dribble before turning the corner and powering through contact for an and-one layup over A’ja Wilson’s outstretched arms. A bucket-getter of the highest echelon, Loyd’s fourth-quarter bucket cemented her 5,000th point — just WNBA history’s 25th-ever player to reach that plateau — providing the groundwork for Seattle’s late-game push to victory. No stranger to elite-level outings against the Aces, Loyd ensured that June 7, 2024 was no different, leading the charge with 25 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two 3-pointers as Seattle moved to 7-3. · State of Mint