WNBA semifinals 2024/ Aces Liberty Game 4/ Lynx Sun series/ Las Vegas Aces elimination/ Minnesota Lynx WNBA Finals/ Newslooks/ LAS VEGAS/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Las Vegas Aces staved off elimination with a 95-81 victory over the New York Liberty in Game 3 of their semifinal series, forcing a Game 4. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx took a 2-1 series lead over the Connecticut Sun, winning 90-81. Both the Aces and Lynx will aim to secure wins at home on Sunday to either even or close out their series and advance to the WNBA Finals.
Aces Force Game 4 Against Liberty, Lynx Take Lead Over Sun Quick Looks
- Aces fight back: Las Vegas defeated New York 95-81 in Game 3, avoiding elimination and forcing a Game 4.
- Defensive adjustments: The Aces tightened their defense, holding Sabrina Ionescu to just four points after she averaged 24.5 points in the first two games.
- Lynx dominate early: Minnesota defeated Connecticut 90-81, taking a 2-1 lead in the series and shooting 57% from the field.
- Upcoming Game 4: Both teams return to home court on Sunday with the Aces looking to tie their series and the Lynx aiming to clinch a spot in the Finals.
Aces Force Game 4 Against Liberty, Lynx Take Series Lead Over Sun
Deep Look
Returning home after facing two tough losses on the road, the Las Vegas Aces found their groove in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals, defeating the New York Liberty 95-81 and avoiding elimination. With their season on the line, the defending champions played like the team that has won consecutive titles, setting the stage for a must-win Game 4 on Sunday.
The Liberty entered the game with a perfect 5-0 record against the Aces this season, including two playoff wins, but Las Vegas bounced back in front of their home crowd. In the regular season, and even in early playoff rounds, New York had seemed to have the Aces’ number. Yet, much like last year’s WNBA Finals when the Aces won a decisive game in New York despite being short-handed, the Liberty know that closing out the champions is no easy feat.
“We have to keep our heads up because Game 4 is coming very, very quickly,” Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. “But we need to learn quickly as well and be ready for the next game because it’s not going to get any easier from here. This is the playoffs.”
The key to Las Vegas’ victory was their defensive intensity, particularly in shutting down Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, who had averaged 24.5 points over the first two games of the series. Ionescu managed just four points on 1-of-7 shooting in Game 3, thanks to a defensive strategy partly developed by Aces guard Kelsey Plum. Las Vegas also outscored the Liberty 42-28 in the paint, a stark turnaround from previous games.
While Aces coach Becky Hammon credited Plum for contributing to the game plan, she and the team understand that the Liberty will likely make adjustments ahead of Game 4. For now, Las Vegas is simply relieved to have another opportunity to play.
“We executed this game, we executed for four quarters, and so we start all over again Sunday. We’re still down 2-1. We haven’t done anything,” said Las Vegas point guard Chelsea Gray.
Lynx Push Sun to the Brink
Over in Connecticut, the Minnesota Lynx pulled off a critical 90-81 win, taking a 2-1 series lead over the Sun. Minnesota jumped out to an early lead, and despite efforts from the Sun to close the gap, the Lynx maintained control throughout the game.
Connecticut struggled on the defensive end, allowing the Lynx to shoot an impressive 57% from the field. Sun forward Alyssa Thomas expressed frustration with her team’s lack of competitiveness, acknowledging the need for more urgency in Game 4. “We didn’t come to compete. It didn’t matter what we were in defensively,” Thomas said. “We got to look in the mirror and want it. If we’re not going to come out there and compete, this is the result.”
This loss puts Connecticut in a precarious position, as they now must win on Sunday to avoid elimination. The Sun have made two Finals appearances in recent years, most recently in 2022, but have yet to claim the championship title. “We’re playing for an opportunity to play in the WNBA Finals,” said Sun coach Stephanie White. “Our back is against the wall and we know that we have to be better.”
On the other side, Minnesota is one win away from returning to the Finals for the first time since 2017, when they won their fourth championship in seven years. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve knows that closing out a series on the road is a difficult challenge, but she’s confident in her team’s ability to finish the job.
“Obviously, it’s a hard thing to do,” Reeve said. “And we have to be a lot better in the areas that we really need to play against.”
What’s Next
As both teams prepare for their Game 4 matchups on Sunday, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Aces, now back in the series, will look to even things up against the Liberty and force a decisive Game 5. Meanwhile, the Lynx will aim to close out their series against the Sun and secure a spot in the WNBA Finals.
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