Breaking: Key Adjustments Propel Aces Over Liberty, Set Up Game 4 Showdown
With their backs against the wall, the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces responded, keeping hopes of a three-peat alive.
On Friday, the Aces defeated the New York Liberty, 95-81, staving off elimination in Game 3. Facing a sweep on their home floor, Las Vegas made several key adjustments, which helped them live to fight another day.
The Aces buckled down on the defensive end, holding New York to just 38.8 percent shooting from the floor. Meanwhile, they quieted the conductor of the Liberty’s offensive attack, Sabrina Ionescu, who was held to only four points (1-of-7) despite averaging 22.5 points through the first two games of the series, and she didn’t score her first point in Game 3 until the fourth quarter.
Likewise, Las Vegas dominated under the basket after struggling to do so throughout the series. The Aces scored only 24 points in the paint in Game 2 but had 20 in the first half alone on Friday, outpacing the Liberty, 42-28 over four quarters.
The first half was a tight, back-and-forth battle that featured 18 lead changes and didn’t see either team lead by more than four points. However, things changed drastically after halftime.
The Aces took control of Game 3 in the third quarter, outscoring New York 21-6 to jump ahead 73-55 heading into the final stanza. From there, Las Vegas cruised to victory.
Offensively, 2024 unanimous MVP A’ja Wilson took charge. The Aces star posted her 20th career playoff double-double, recording 19 points (8-of-14) with 14 rebounds and three assists.
Meanwhile, Jackie Young and newly crowned Sixth Player of the Year Tiffany Hayes also played a pivotal role for the Aces. Young had 24 points (10-of-18), adding four three-pointers, six rebounds and four assists, while Hayes finished with 11 points (4-of-7), three rebounds and two assists off the bench.
The Aces still face an uphill battle, as no team in WNBA history has overcome a 0-2 deficit, but Friday’s victory was an excellent first step. Las Vegas will look to force a winner-take-all matchup when they host the Liberty for Game 4 on Sunday.
