BROOKLYN — The New York Liberty host the Las Vegas Aces for Recreation 2 of the WNBA semi-finals on Tuesday evening, in a rematch of final yr’s finals. It’s one of many two remaining collection on this yr’s playoffs, and it’s a pivotal recreation that can decide whether or not Las Vegas can tie issues up earlier than heading dwelling.
Final day out, in Recreation 1, the Liberty defeated the Aces 87-77, powered by 34 factors from Breanna Stewart and 21 factors from Sabrina Ionescu. The Liberty led by double-figures for a lot of the way in which and have been capable of no less than considerably include A’ja Wilson, who nonetheless completed with 21 factors however scored practically 6 factors lower than her common season common.
In flip, New York now holds a 1-0 lead within the collection, and has the chance to increase that additional at 7:30pm ET on Tuesday. No WNBA workforce has ever come again from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five collection — so this recreation is as essential because it will get for Las Vegas.
The Aces are the two-time defending champions for a motive, and they’re going to possible have a response to a lackluster Recreation 1 outing. There’s lots to enhance on and it’s doable that the Liberty merely gained’t play in addition to they did within the collection opener.
However, if Las Vegas needs to even this collection and , listed below are 5 issues that can (almost definitely) have to occur.
The Aces should shoot higher from three-point vary
Given the sheer degree of expertise and weapons on the Liberty aspect, the margin of error for the Aces is razor-thin. In Recreation 1, Las Vegas shot simply 7-25 from three-point vary, good for 28% from behind the arc. Kelsey Plum had greater than half of these makes — she hit 4-8 from downtown — however Las Vegas goes to want to see higher taking pictures throughout the board to remain in it. New York shot 8-19 from three in Recreation 1 (42.1%).
Tiffany Hayes can be key in making up the deficit — Hayes shot 40.2% from downtown this season, however went 0/2 in Recreation 1. Chelsea Grey and Jackie Younger didn’t have their greatest taking pictures seasons (33.8% and 33.7%, respectively), however each have the flexibility to get sizzling regardless of combining for 2-10 from in Recreation 1. On Sunday, the simple ones weren’t falling, and that’s going to have to vary for Las Vegas to have an opportunity.
A’ja Wilson and the remainder of the solid have to include Breanna Stewart (one way or the other)
Breanna Stewart had her approach in Recreation 1, placing up 34 factors on 12-19 taking pictures. The Aces are going to need to make life tougher for the two-time MVP in Recreation 2, and the troublesome factor is that A’ja Wilson, their greatest defender, has her arms full with Jonquel Jones. Jones posted 13 factors and 12 rebounds in Recreation 1, and the previous MVP can definitely do injury if slowing her down isn’t prioritized. However, Stewart bought approach too many simple appears within the opener — factors in transition, wide-open threes, baskets on mismatches. Las Vegas goes to need to take these away.
Las Vegas will have to be significantly better on the glass — or transition protection — or each
Aces head coach Becky Hammon acknowledged after Recreation 1 that her workforce misplaced each the battle on the glass and was outran in transition. The Liberty out-rebounded the Aces 31-22, and scored 16 quick break factors to the Aces’ 6.
One — or each — of these issues goes to have to vary in Recreation 2. A’ja Wilson grabbed extra rebounds than any participant within the WNBA this season, however had a season-low 6 boards in Recreation 1. Not one Aces participant racked up greater than 6 rebounds.
Addressing that might contain lineup modifications — we didn’t see Megan Gustafson or Queen Egbo in Recreation 1, and each may present some much-needed dimension in opposition to the Liberty’s size. It may additionally simply be some extent of emphasis throughout the board — Jackie Younger and Kelsey Plum every completed with simply 2 rebounds, and Chelsea Grey with 3. Anticipate the Aces to return out extra aggressive on the glass from the soar.
Classic Chelsea Grey will (most likely) have to make her return
In 26 minutes of motion, Aces level guard Chelsea Grey completed with 4 factors and 1 help. That’s not going to chop it. Grey must be extra aggressive and extra concerned, and we’ve already seen how she will be able to impression video games when she’s at her greatest (see: 2022 Finals MVP).
Kelsey Plum mentioned after the primary spherical collection in opposition to the Seattle Storm that Chelsea Grey was again to her common self — and that’ll have to be the case in opposition to New York right here in Recreation 2.
“Lots of people put up numbers — and that’s no fault of them. However Chelsea impacts profitable,” Plum mentioned. “Ask any participant within the league, any high-level participant, I assure they need Chelsea Grey on their workforce with 5 minutes left.”
Kelsey Plum with excessive reward for Chelsea Grey postgame:
“Lots of people put up numbers — and that’s no fault of them. However Chelsea impacts profitable. Ask any participant within the league, any high-level participant, I assure they need Chelsea Grey on their workforce with 5 minutes left.” pic.twitter.com/P0pLW1a7Z7
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) September 25, 2024
Grey has proven flashes of brilliance this postseason — she averaged 14 factors and eight assists within the first spherical — and she’s going to possible want to claim herself on this one. Las Vegas has pulled collectively loads of wins this yr with Chelsea Grey serving as extra of a job participant, however the actuality is that this workforce’s ceiling is completely different when Grey resides as much as her ‘Level Gawd’ nickname.
A’ja Wilson ought to assert herself as the perfect participant on the ground
Wilson was the unanimous MVP for a motive this previous yr, averaging 26.9 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 1.8 steals. She had a number of 40+ level outings, and posted career-highs in practically each class. And, whereas she’s been strong in these playoffs, she nonetheless has one other gear she will be able to go to. She’s averaged 22 factors and 9 rebounds in three postseason video games to date — and shot a really respectable 50% from the sector — however we haven’t seen a big-time efficiency like Stewie’s in Recreation 1, or Napheesa Collier’s 38- and 42-point outings in opposition to the Mercury. Wilson is clearly succesful, and tonight can be a fantastic begin.
This Liberty workforce has been the perfect all season lengthy for a motive, so it’ll be troublesome for any workforce to defeat them in a five-game collection. Becky Hammon mentioned Recreation 2 was “do-or-die”, and whereas it’s not fairly an elimination recreation, the truth that no workforce has ever come again from an 0-2 gap is motive sufficient to deal with it as such. It’s going to take lots for Las Vegas to drag off a win — however this Aces workforce has proven repeatedly it shouldn’t be counted out.
