Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty Set for Epic Rematch
Las Vegas is buzzing with excitement as the Las Vegas Aces gear up to face the New York Liberty in a highly-anticipated rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals. These two powerhouse teams, who have had their fair share of high-stakes drama, are set to clash again, but this time it’s in the second round of the playoffs. The Aces are looking to defend their title after triumphing over New York 3-1 in the championship series last year.
Strong Starts from Both Teams
This season, it’s been a different story. The Liberty, boasting a phenomenal record of 32-8, swept the eighth-seed Atlanta Dream in their opening playoff series, while the Aces took care of the Seattle Storm just as swiftly, winning 83-76 in Game 2 of their series. Both teams have shown incredible strength and resilience, and Aces guard Kelsey Plum made it clear that the Liberty have stepped up their game this year. “New York is a lot better than last year,” she said. “Just plain and simple. They’re bigger. They’ve shot the ball at a better clip.”
Defending Champions Find Their Edge
The Aces faced some ups and downs throughout the season, but they’ve definitely found their stride lately. Coach Becky Hammon commented on how New York has been playing with an undeniable intensity: “They’ve played like a team pissed off,” she said. “They’ve played with an edge.” However, Hammon also expressed confidence in her team, saying that they feel like they’ve regained their edge over the last few weeks.
This playoff journey is certainly more challenging for the Aces as they aim for a three-peat. The last team to accomplish that was the Houston Comets, who dominated from 1997 to 2000. So, the stakes are higher, and the pressure is on!
Key Players Shining Bright
The Aces showed their contender status during their series against Seattle. They completely shut down the Storm in the fourth quarter of Game 1, allowing just two points, and rode a hot start in Game 2. Leading by as many as 16 points in the first quarter, the Aces shot an incredible 5-of-6 from behind the arc.
A’ja Wilson, the Aces’ star player, had nothing but determination to share. “We know what it takes [to win],” she said. “We know that we can’t let the game slip through our hands, because we’ve been on the other side of it.” Her consistent performance includes averaging a whopping 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this season. Wilson’s standout game against the Storm saw her put up 24 points and grab 13 rebounds, showcasing why she’s a three-time MVP.
A Comeback Story for Kelsey Plum
Moving onto Kelsey Plum’s performance, she had a rough start in Game 1, scoring only 2 points. But after a little self-motivation and some sushi therapy, Plum came out firing, scoring 29 points in Game 2. “I was like, ‘I’m throwing this whole game out the window,’” she recalled. And it sure worked!
Chelsea Gray’s Impact
Another major contributor for the Aces is Chelsea Gray, who has been a game-changer since returning from her foot injury. The Aces are finally seeing the Chelsea Gray who led them to victory in last year’s finals, and she’s hitting those clutch, tough shots that make a world of difference. “Chelsea impacts winning,” Plum stated confidently. “I know I would pick her any time in a tie game.”
New York’s Star Power
Of course, the Liberty aren’t just sitting back and hoping for the best. They come with their heavy artillery as well, featuring superstars like Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, plus the sensational young talent Sabrina Ionescu. Both teams are riding high on their performances lately, and although this matchup is in the second round, it has all the makings of an instant classic.
So, Las Vegas, get ready! This showdown with the Liberty promises to be anything but ordinary. Who will reign supreme in this nail-biting rematch? Only time will tell!
