In the City of Lights, the Las Vegas Aces’ bid for a historic three-peat came to a screeching halt. Despite a valiant effort, they fell short against the top-seeded New York Liberty in the semifinals, losing the series 3-1. The Liberty, fueled by their determination to make franchise history, will now advance to the WNBA Finals for the sixth time.
Aces coach Becky Hammon acknowledged the Liberty’s dominance, stating, “They’ve been the best team all year… Their group earned it.” Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart remained resolute, emphasizing that the Liberty still have unfinished business. “We haven’t done anything yet,” she said.
The Aces’ quest for a three-peat was always going to be an uphill battle. As A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas’ three-time MVP, pointed out, “Just doing it, it’s hard… Everybody wants to beat you. You’re everybody’s Super Bowl.” The team’s struggles throughout the season, including a rocky regular season and off-court controversies, ultimately caught up with them.
In the decisive Game 4, the Aces trailed most of the way, but a 23-11 fourth-quarter surge by the Liberty sealed their fate. Wilson led the charge with 19 points, but the guards struggled, combining for 12-of-42 shooting. The team’s inability to replicate their efficiency from previous championship runs ultimately proved costly.
As the Aces reflect on their season, Hammon drew comparisons to the Minnesota Lynx, a team with good talent that’s an excellent team. She believed her Aces had excellent talent but were just a good team this season. “You don’t have it every year… The work and the commitment and the buy-in, and the play-hard and the want-to and the will will always show up in the end.”
The Liberty, on the other hand, have shown remarkable resilience and determination. With a franchise-first title within their grasp, they’re three wins away from redemption. As Sabrina Ionescu emphasized, “No hurdle” has been overcome, but the Liberty’s journey has undoubtedly made them a better team.
Leave a Reply