What Happened to Alysha Clark? Alarming Injury Report for Seattle Storm Ahead of LV Aces Challenge

The Las Vegas Aces will be licking their lips ahead of their revenge game against the Seattle Storm. While the Storm will be looking to resurrect their great start to the 2025 season. In a very surprising turn of events, Storm blew out the Aces 102-82 in their first matchup of the season. 

Nneka Ogwumike scored 23 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds, with Skylar Diggins ably supporting her with 10 points and 8 assists. Erica Wheeler added a season-high performance of 21 points and seven assists.  Since then, the fates of both teams have hopped to the other side, as the Storm has since lost two games in a trot against the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream. On the other hand, the Aces have reemerged as the team we thought they would be with a dominating display against the Los Angeles Sparks. 

Alysha Clark missed her first game in the last two seasons after she did not participate in the Atlanta Dream’s loss. The veteran played in all five of the Storm’s early games this year and played in all 40 games last season as a member of the Las Vegas Aces. At age 37, Clark is officially the oldest current player in the WNBA, and her injury woes could prove to be recurring if they continue. Her veteran presence as a guard is important for the Storm to calm the waters. 

Now the Storm face a hungry Aces team to mark the start of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, which pits teams against their conferences from June 1 until a title game on July 1 between the teams with the best tournament records from each conference.

The Cup isn’t just about bragging rights, it’s a big deal for players, with a $500,000 prize pool in 2024 that gave winners a serious financial boost, something that matters in a league where salaries are tight. For the Storm, it’s also a chance to reset after their recent losses and prove they’re still contenders.

But will they have their full roster at their disposal to compete against the Aces?

Seattle Storm Injury report: Will Alysha Clark be back in time?

Alysha Clark—Doubtful (Left Ankle)

Katie Lou Samuelson—Out (Knee)

Alysha Clark (ankle) questionable Sunday.

— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 1, 2025

The Seattle Storm have officially listed veteran guard-forward Alysha Clark for Sunday night’s high-profile matchup against the Las Vegas Aces as questionable due to a left ankle injury. This marks Clark’s second consecutive absence, raising ongoing concerns about her availability as the season progresses. 

In addition to Clark, the Storm are also without forward Katie Lou Samuelson, who is expected to miss the entire season as she recovers from a significant knee injury.

Can the Seattle Storm hold off the Aces once again?

The Storm got a win against the Aces in their first clash and the way they did that surprised everyone. It was like the Aces forgot who they were as they were defeated by 20 points. Jewell Loyd and Nneka Ogwumike provided leadership and offensive punch, while the bench unit stepped up with timely contributions. Defensively, the Storm did well to disrupt Las Vegas’s rhythm, forcing turnovers and keeping the Aces’ dynamic backcourt under control.

More importantly, they kept A’ja Wilson largely quiet as she scored just 15 points and 4 assists, which is her lowest one-game tally of the season. She roared back with a 35-point display against the Sparks so the Storm will have their work cut out once again. Since they have lost two consecutive games, their confidence will have taken a hit, so it will be intriguing if they can keep their intensity up once again. 

“Our team has talked about it as a group. It’s a goal of ours to be in the Commissioner’s Cup title game,” coach Noelle Quinn said. “It is something that is beneficial for the players, not only monetarily, but also it’s an indicator of where you are in the league.

Head coach Noelle Quinn has already etched her name in WNBA history by leading the Seattle Storm to victory in the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup Final in 2021. That year, Seattle delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Connecticut Sun 79–57 and claiming the league’s first-ever in-season tournament title. It was a landmark moment that not only showcased the Storm’s competitive grit but also validated the Cup’s value as a midseason benchmark.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Storm were once again within reach of another Cup Final appearance. They finished tied with the Minnesota Lynx at 4–1 atop the Western Conference in Cup play. However, it was the Lynx who advanced, thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker. That narrow miss still lingers, serving as both motivation and unfinished business for this year’s squad.

Now in 2025, the stakes are just as high. The Commissioner’s Cup isn’t just about bragging rights or silverware. The financial incentives give added vigor considering the low salaries in the league. But beyond the paycheck, the Cup represents a chance to reset momentum, build confidence, and send a message to the rest of the league.

A win over the Aces, even without Clark, would be a statement that this new Storm core can hang with the WNBA’s best, just like they did in that 20-point blowout earlier this season.

The Storm, coming off two consecutive regular-season losses, are searching for exactly that kind of spark. A win against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in a high-stakes Cup game would not only keep Seattle’s tournament hopes alive but also reestablish their belief in this evolving roster.

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