Jewell Loyd says Storm drama in past, 'at peace' in Las Vegas - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Jewell Loyd said she is «at peace» heading into the Las Vegas Aces' first-round playoff matchup against her former WNBA team, the Seattle Storm, with whom she had an acrimonious split before being traded in February.

The Aces and Storm will meet in the first round for the second season in a row, with Game 1 set for Sunday at Michelob Ultra Arena (10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Loyd played 10 seasons and won two championships with the Storm, who drafted her No. 1 overall in 2015. After the Aces swept Loyd and the Storm 2-0 in the first round last season, Loyd alleged harassment and bullying by the Storm coaching staff during the offseason and requested a trade. The Storm conducted an independent investigation into the allegations and did not find any violations.

Loyd said she is not thinking about the past and focusing only on helping the No. 2 seed Aces advance.

«As the season's gone on, it's just basketball, right?» Loyd said after practice Saturday. «I've settled that. It doesn't feel like anything. I'm at peace with everything.»

Loyd returned to Seattle to face the Storm twice this season, with the Storm winning the first meeting in May and the Aces winning the second one in June. Loyd alleged that a Storm assistant coach swore at her during the second game in Seattle. The WNBA reviewed the complaint, but no disciplinary action was taken.

«The first time I went back, it was a little weird,» Loyd said of playing in Seattle. «Being a vet in this league, I understand you go through ups and downs. You see a lot of change in the league and the dynamics. Here with the Aces, people see my value. They see who I am, my character and my reputation. I'm way more than just a basketball player here. I feel like I can be myself.»

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