BROOKLYN — The New York Liberty host the Las Vegas Aces for Recreation 2 of the WNBA semi-finals on Tuesday night time, in a rematch of final 12 months’s finals. It’s one of many two remaining sequence on this 12 months’s playoffs, and it’s a pivotal sport that can decide whether or not Las Vegas can tie issues up earlier than heading residence.
Final day trip, 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 best way and have been in a position to no less than considerably comprise 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 sequence, and has the chance to increase that additional at 7:30pm ET on Tuesday. No WNBA crew has ever come again from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five sequence — so this sport is as essential because it will get for Las Vegas.
The Aces are the two-time defending champions for a cause, and they’re going to possible have a response to a lackluster Recreation 1 outing. There’s quite a bit to enhance on and it’s potential that the Liberty merely received’t play in addition to they did within the sequence opener.
However, if Las Vegas needs to even this sequence and , listed here are 5 issues that can (almost definitely) have to occur.
The Aces should shoot higher from three-point vary
Given the sheer stage 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 wish 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 might 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 scorching 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 alter for Las Vegas to have an opportunity.
A’ja Wilson and the remainder of the forged have to comprise Breanna Stewart (by some means)
Breanna Stewart had her manner in Recreation 1, placing up 34 factors on 12-19 taking pictures. The Aces are going to must make life tougher for the two-time MVP in Recreation 2, and the tough factor is that A’ja Wilson, their greatest defender, has her palms full with Jonquel Jones. Jones posted 13 factors and 12 rebounds in Recreation 1, and the previous MVP can actually do harm if slowing her down isn’t prioritized. However, Stewart bought manner too many straightforward seems to be within the opener — factors in transition, wide-open threes, baskets on mismatches. Las Vegas goes to must take these away.
Las Vegas will have to be a lot better on the glass — or transition protection — or each
Aces head coach Becky Hammon acknowledged after Recreation 1 that her crew 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 alter 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 adjustments — we didn’t see Megan Gustafson or Queen Egbo in Recreation 1, and each may present some much-needed dimension towards 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. Count on the Aces to come back out extra aggressive on the glass from the bounce.
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 influence video games when she’s at her greatest (see: 2022 Finals MVP).
Kelsey Plum stated after the primary spherical sequence towards the Seattle Storm that Chelsea Grey was again to her common self — and that’ll have to be the case towards New York right here in Recreation 2.
“Lots of people put up numbers — and that’s no fault of them. However Chelsea impacts successful,” Plum stated. “Ask any participant within the league, any high-level participant, I assure they need Chelsea Grey on their crew 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 successful. Ask any participant within the league, any high-level participant, I assure they need Chelsea Grey on their crew 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 say herself on this one. Las Vegas has pulled collectively loads of wins this 12 months with Chelsea Grey serving as extra of a job participant, however the actuality is that this crew’s ceiling is completely different when Grey resides as much as her ‘Level Gawd’ nickname.
A’ja Wilson ought to assert herself as the very best participant on the ground
Wilson was the unanimous MVP for a cause this previous 12 months, 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 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 towards the Mercury. Wilson is clearly succesful, and tonight could be an ideal begin.
This Liberty crew has been the very best all season lengthy for a cause, so it’ll be tough for any crew to defeat them in a five-game sequence. Becky Hammon stated Recreation 2 was “do-or-die”, and whereas it’s not fairly an elimination sport, the truth that no crew has ever come again from an 0-2 gap is cause sufficient to deal with it as such. It’s going to take quite a bit for Las Vegas to tug off a win — however this Aces crew has proven repeatedly it shouldn’t be counted out.
