The New York Liberty are one win away from their second straight Finals appearance after narrowly holding off the Las Vegas Aces’ comeback bid in Game 2.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx rediscovered their 3-point shooting to even up their semifinal showdown with the Connecticut Sun.
With the WNBA semifinals shifting to Las Vegas and Connecticut, respectively, let’s assess where things stand in each series.
No. 1 Liberty (2) vs. No. 4 Aces (0)
Champs running out of gas?
The Aces never led for a second in Sunday’s series opener, a consequence of New York’s superiority in nearly every facet of Game 1. The Liberty thoroughly flipped the script in their rematch of last year’s Finals, seemingly studying that encounter to prepare for nearly everything Las Vegas can throw at them.
New York has refined its game plan for containing A’ja Wilson by putting more pressure on her teammates, as indicated by Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s perfectly read steal on Wilson at the 5:22 mark of the first quarter. Although the three-time MVP still shot 9-of-16 (56.3%) in Game 1, the rest of the Aces were a combined 20-of-51 (39%).
The Liberty’s formula was honed to perfection during the regular season. New York won both of its matchups against Las Vegas with Wilson active by holding everyone outside of the Aces star to just 36.8% shooting (38-of-103). Las Vegas provided more support for Wilson in its close Game 2 defeat and will need a similar effort Friday evening to keep its three-peat hopes alive.
Sabrina delivering in clutch
The Aces threatened to steal Game 2, but Sabrina Ionescu made multiple plays down the stretch to preserve a crucial victory for the Liberty. The former No. 1 overall pick did most of her damage in the fourth quarter, tallying 11 points, five boards, and two assists. Ionescu made three tough baskets over two-time Defensive Player of the Year Wilson, found Breanna Stewart on a backdoor cut, and drilled a contested pull-up jumper from the elbow to break a deadlock with 1:15 remaining.
“In the big moments, she steps up, doesn’t shy away from the moments,” Liberty center Jonquel Jones said of Ionescu’s Game 2 heroics, according to Doug Feinberg of The Associated Press.
It was a similar story in the series opener as Ionescu drained back-to-back triples midway through the final frame to put the game out of reach. Following her standout semifinal performances, Ionescu is now one of two players in WNBA history to register at least 20 points, five assists, and shoot 50% from the field in three straight playoff games, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
No. 2 Lynx (1) vs. No. 3 Sun (1)
Mabrey, You’re Gonna Be The Sun That Saves Me
There was little fanfare in July when Connecticut sent Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, and a pinch of draft compensation to the Chicago Sky for vet guard Marina Mabrey. Her postseason play has everyone talking now.
Mabrey torched the defensively sturdy Lynx on 6-of-11 shooting from deep in Game 1, hitting more threes alone than Minnesota did as a team. Even her lone attempt from inside the arc was indicative of her hot hand, coming off a hard screen by Alyssa Thomas and heaving a quick-fire shot from the top of the key.
While she didn’t shoot well in Game 2,it’s clear her ability to stretch the floor will be an X-factor this series against the Lynx, who were the best in the league at defending the three during the regular season (30.1%).
3-point shooting may decide series
Scoring was always going to be at a premium with the WNBA’s top two defensive teams going head-to-head. In Game 1, Connecticut had the surprising advantage from downtown. The Sun outscored the Lynx by 12 from beyond the arc in a tight 73-70 series-opening win.
Minnesota’s fortunes changed two nights later with an 8-of-19 showing from deep in its seven-point Game 2 victory. Alanna Smith hit three treys after missing all four of her 3-point attempts in Game 1. Five other Lynx players also knocked down one triple apiece.
Minnesota is more likely to maintain its sharpshooting success. The Lynx led the WNBA in 3-point percentage (38%) and ranked third in total threes (380) during the regular season. Meanwhile, the Sun lack a true long-distance threat outside of Mabrey, especially with starting point guard Tyasha Harris sidelined indefinitely.
