uncasville, connecticut — The Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces both face elimination in two high-stakes games on Sunday. After getting off to a winning start in the semifinals, Hae Seung suffered two consecutive losses against the Minnesota Lynx, but the Aces survived by overcoming a 2-0 deficit against the New York Liberty on Friday.
Now, in Game 4, both the Sun and Ace teams are facing a 2-1 deficit and must win.
First up, the Aces will host Liberty at Michelob Ultra Center at 3pm ET. The Aces will be looking to repeat everything that went right in their 95-81 Game 3 win, even though it wasn't as close as the final score indicated. What's the key? The Aces' defense finally worked, limiting Liberty's Snakehead, Sabrina Ionescu. After a strong showing in two games against Las Vegas in the postseason, he finished with just four points on 1-7 from the field and five turnovers in Game 3.
On the Aces' side, Jackie Young exploded for 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting, and Kelsey Plum added 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Continuing strong guard play will be key for Las Vegas to stay even, as will the performance of three-time MVP A'ja Wilson, who had 19 points and 14 rebounds in Game 3.
New York will certainly make adjustments in Game 2, but the key will be getting Sabrina Ionescu up against a much more aggressive and blitz-heavy ace defense.
“It was probably the most perfect game of the season,” coach Becky Hammon said in the postgame press conference. “This was the game I was waiting for and I believed they played the game.” Ta.
“They never saw the light of day on me,” Ionescu said. Per ESPN.
On the other side of the country, the Sun will welcome the Lynx at 5pm ET at the Mohegan Sun. In Game 3, the University of Connecticut won 90-81, with Napheesa Collier leading the way with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Alyssa Thomas slammed the team's performance after the loss.
“I think we had to understand that we didn't get this far on our own. We've come this far as a team, moving the ball and differentiating people,” Thomas said. “At this point, yeah, you want it, but we can't get through the hump without taking advantage of each other. This was a poor representation of the essence of Connecticut basketball. ”
If the Suns fall, another winning season will end with a semi-final loss – last year it was at the hands of Liberty. If the ace loses, their rare attempt is nullified. WNBA It won't reach the three-peat. If either team wins, the score will be tied and the series between both teams will advance to a decisive Game 5. All of which will be broadcast on ESPN on Sunday.
