After six attempts, the Las Vegas Aces triumphed over the New York Liberty for the first time this year, keeping their hopes of a three-peat alive. The Aces secured a 95-81 victory in an elimination game on Friday, scoring 16 consecutive points in the third quarter to establish an insurmountable lead. The Aces’ strong performance was punctuated by a 25-point lead, the first time either team reached a 20-point margin in the series.
Despite their victory, the Aces are not resting easy as they are still behind 2-1 and have another elimination game on Sunday. However, Friday’s win hinted at a breakthrough for the Aces as they contained Sabrina Ionescu to just four points and exhibited improved offensive gameplay from their backcourt.
In another semifinal matchup, the Minnesota Lynx secured a 90-81 road victory over the Connecticut Sun to take a 2-1 series lead. With a strong showing on both sides of the court, the Lynx led comfortably for most of the game and are now one win away from their first Finals appearance since 2017.
ESPN examines how the Aces avoided elimination, the Lynx’s road victory, and assesses the potential outcomes of Sunday’s Game 4s.
Liberty lead best-of-five series 2-1
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Chelsea Gray dazzles with a wraparound dime
Chelsea Gray shows off her vision with a slick wraparound pass to A’ja Wilson for an Aces bucket.
Third quarter makes all the difference
At halftime on Friday, the Aces held a slim three-point lead in a game that seemed evenly matched. The half saw 18 lead changes, setting a WNBA playoff record. Despite the Liberty facing their first halftime deficit in the series, the game was still up for grabs if Sabrina Ionescu could find her rhythm. However, she struggled, going 0-for-4 in the first half.
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The Aces turned the tide in the third quarter with a dominant performance on both ends of the court. A 16-0 run propelled Las Vegas to a 21-6 advantage in the quarter. New York had a tough time, committing turnovers and posting their lowest-scoring playoff quarter since 2006 when the WNBA adopted the format. The Aces’ 16 unanswered points was the second-longest scoring run against the Liberty this season.
With the home crowd rallying behind them and the energy surging with each Las Vegas 3-pointer, the Aces showcased glimpses of their championship-winning form, a level they had yet to reach in the series. This win may signal a resurgence for the Aces, demonstrating their capability to compete at the highest level. — Alexa Philippou
Aces shut down Ionescu
After a stellar performance in the first two games, Ionescu struggled in Game 3, scoring only four points and shooting 1-of-7 from the field. Prior to the game, ESPN’s Carolyn Peck suggested trapping Ionescu, a tactic the Aces executed successfully without resorting to overly aggressive defense. Ionescu’s seven shot attempts were her fewest in any game, and her five assists matched the totals from Games 1 and 2.
According to ESPN Research, Jackie Young’s defense on Ionescu was more effective, limiting her to no field goals on contested shots after she made 7 of 10 in the previous games. — Kevin Pelton
Setting tone from the tip
In Game 2, the Aces were plagued by 11 first-half turnovers, a factor highlighted by Chelsea Gray as crucial in their narrow loss. However, in Game 3, Las Vegas showcased better ball control from the start, committing only three turnovers in the first half. Despite finishing with 12 turnovers, the same as Game 2, the Aces displayed improved execution throughout the game. — Michael Voepel
Can the Aces play as effectively on defense in Game 4?
Key to the Aces’ success in Game 3 was their defensive prowess. It will be crucial for Las Vegas to replicate this performance in Game 4. On the other hand, Ionescu acknowledged the Liberty’s need to adjust to the Aces’ defensive strategy and devise countermeasures before the next game. Both teams will continue to make adjustments, setting the stage for an intriguing Game 4. — Voepel
