The Las Vegas Aces have shown resilience by not going down without a fight.
After becoming the first defending WNBA champion to fall behind 2-0 in a playoff series, the Aces secured a 95-81 victory in Game 3 against the New York Liberty. The next matchup, Game 4, is set for Sunday in Las Vegas at 3 p.m. ET.
A pivotal 17-2 run to close out the third quarter energized the sold-out crowd at the Michelob Ultra Arena. The first half was tightly contested, with neither team managing to extend a lead beyond four points. However, the Aces intensified their defensive efforts, limiting the Liberty to just six points and forcing five turnovers during the third quarter.
This marked the lowest-scoring quarter by an opponent in Aces playoff history. Although the Liberty’s starters were benched midway through the fourth quarter, the Aces’ key players remained on the court longer, leaving with a solid 90-68 lead.
Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum were instrumental for the Aces, contributing a combined 44 points, along with six assists and only two turnovers. A’ja Wilson continued to showcase her MVP-caliber performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Having struggled defensively in the first two games, the Aces focused on containing Sabrina Ionescu in this crucial matchup. Young and Plum took the lead on defense, supported by effective communication and strategies.
Ionescu ended the game with just four points on 1-of-7 shooting, alongside five rebounds, five assists, and five turnovers.
The Aces’ strong showing brings back memories of their dominant performances over the last two seasons, characterized by a formidable defense and a versatile offense led by Wilson, along with an enthusiastic home crowd.
This commanding display shifts the dynamics of the series. The Liberty appeared to have the upper hand in Game 1, and Game 2 was uncomfortable for the Aces. However, with blood in the water following a near comeback, they carried that momentum into the second half of Game 3.
The Aces still need two more wins against a New York team that has not lost three consecutive games all season, but their performance in Game 3 demonstrates their capability to achieve that goal.