NY Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces, Game 3 preview: Semi-Finals switch to Vegas
Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images
A win tonight in Las Vegas would put the Liberty in the Finals and avenge New York’s loss last season. This is the type of opportunity you want if you’re the New York Liberty.
Not only were the Liberty able to win in a commanding fashion in Game 1, but they were also able to show in Game 2 that they can respond when a very good Las Vegas team puts up a fight early in the game. It required them to dig deep and become the best version of themselves. All that is left for a ticket to the WNBA Finals is one more win. One more win to not only win the series, but to also prove why they are the team to beat for the championship the W’s season to remember.
Where To Follow The Game
Catch the action at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. If you are interested in watching the game with fellow Liberty fans, make your way down to Barclays Center for a free Watch Party and live entertainment!
Injuries
No injuries to report for the Libs.
Kiah Stokes (head injury) has been ruled out for Friday’s game
The Game
Every now and again, I’m able to make an astute observation that proves to be a contributing factor to the actual game. That was the case for Game 3, the Libs come-from-behind 88-84 win, where “the others” were key factors in the New York’s win.
Courtney Vandersloot of course played at her own pace, but was also aggressive in coming off the bench. After leading the team in scoring in the first quarter, she ended the game with 12 points as her new role of sixth woman proved to be the right role for her in these playoffs ... and a great call by head coach Sandy Brondello. Kayla Thorton was also big on both ends as she was able to get easy buckets in the paint while also making superb plays on defense. It also doesn’t hurt when your personal sniper, Sabrina Ionescu, once again proves she can make big plays in the fourth quarter.
Player to watch
We know A’ja Wilson is going to do her thing. And even though she only scored six points on 22% shooting in Game 2, Kelsey Plum is a dawg and can come alive at any moment, as we saw in Game 1. It is Chelsea Gray who I think will be a ley player to watch for Game 3, simply because eyes will be on her to make shots.
With so much attention on Wilson and Plum. Aces players will be forced to make shots and create for themselves on occasions and that’s what Gray does ... and did in Game 3. Her 14 points was a great contribution for the Aces last game, and she’ll have to do the same thing tonight, and even more.
As far as the Liberty, they just have to keep doing their thing. Playing in Las Vegas might seem nerve wracking, but they just have to play their game. Nobody in the league can match their speed and how quick they get into their offense, and nobody in the league can switch like they can because of their length. Not to mention their size! If they play their game, Game 3 should be theirs.
From the Vault
You can bet (it is Las Vegas) that the Liberty will have this sequence from last year’s Game 4 replaying in their heads tonight: the last play of the WNBA Finals that earned the Aces their second straight championship:
A win will put the Liberty in position to celebrate like the Aces did last year. Going into tonight’s other big game 3 , the Minnesota Lynx vs Connecticut Sun semis, are tied 1-1. They’ll battle in Uncasville, Conn., starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can watch that game on ESPN2 as well.
More reading: Las Vegas Review Journal, Las Vegas Sun, Swish Appeal, The Strickland, The Local W, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Athletic. Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, SI All Knicks, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, and The Next
New York Liberty Game Notes - New York Liberty
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