Las Vegas Guards Excel in WNBA Finals Victory, Defeat New York 99-82
In a stunning display of skill and dominance, the Las Vegas guards delivered a resounding victory in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Chelsea Gray, celebrating her 31st birthday, orchestrated the offense with precision, while Jackie Young showcased her shooting prowess from beyond the arc, and Kelsey Plum fearlessly attacked the basket. Together, they combined for an impressive 72 points, helping the Las Vegas Aces secure a 99-82 win over the New York Liberty in front of a raucous sold-out crowd.
Young, who showcased her long-range shooting skills by sinking five 3-pointers, and Plum, who also displayed an exceptional shooting performance, each contributed 26 points to the Aces’ tally. Gray, on the other hand, contributed 20 points and nine assists, orchestrating the team’s movements with finesse.
Aces coach Becky Hammon praised the trio of guards, describing their performance as ridiculous and highlighting their seamless teamwork. The guards played a crucial role in dismantling the New York defense, making it nearly impossible for the Liberty to contain their explosive offense.
Despite Las Vegas’ extraordinary guard play, the New York Liberty boasted superior depth with five players scoring in double figures. Breanna Stewart, this season’s league MVP, led the Liberty with 21 points, while Jonquel Jones recorded an impressive double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Marine Johannes provided valuable contributions off the bench, scoring 14 points. However, Johannes was blanketed by the Aces’ defense in the second half, resulting in a scoreless performance during that period. Las Vegas also successfully limited Sabrina Ionescu, who entered the game with an average of 16.3 points in the playoffs, to just seven points.
New York coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged Las Vegas’ exceptional defense, admiring their tenacity and poise. She emphasized the need for her team to play with better composure in the next game, aiming to exploit the Aces’ defensive strategies.
Game 2 of the best-of-five series will take place in Las Vegas on Wednesday, offering the Liberty an opportunity to bounce back from their Game 1 defeat. Brondello expressed confidence in her team’s ability to learn from the loss and respond well, highlighting their resilience throughout the season.
The WNBA Finals have garnered significant anticipation due to the presence of three WNBA MVPs on the court. However, the first game mirrored the regular-season matchups between these two teams, where even the closest outcome was a mere nine points. The Aces ensured a one-sided game by embarking on an 11-2 run in the latter stages of the third quarter, turning a slim 67-63 lead into a commanding 78-65 advantage early in the fourth. Ultimately, Las Vegas led by as much as 94-72 with just over three minutes remaining.
The trio of guards played an instrumental role in this decisive victory, excelling on both ends of the court. Their combined 38 points and four steals in the second half proved pivotal to Las Vegas’ success. Plum acknowledged the significance of the moment, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to compete in the Finals and emphasizing the importance of a unified team effort.
Thus far in the postseason, no team has managed to solve the Las Vegas Aces, who boast an undefeated record of 6-0. While the Liberty were able to defeat the Aces during the regular season, the franchise is well aware that a considerably different response is required if they want to secure their first WNBA championship.
Stewart emphasized the need for the team to maintain fluid ball movement and trust the strategies that led to their success, especially in the second half where the Aces managed to stifle the Liberty’s offense. Maintaining their customary resilience, New York remains optimistic about their chances moving forward.
As Game 2 approaches, both teams are preparing for what promises to be an intense battle on the court. The Las Vegas guards will aim to replicate their stellar performance, while the New York Liberty will strategize ways to counter the Aces’ formidable defense. Basketball fans worldwide eagerly await the outcome of this thrilling WNBA Finals series.
