Cheers erupted in the Michelob Ultra Arena as the Aces sailed past the elimination game. They secured a crucial 95-81 victory in Game 3 against the New York Liberty, narrowing the series to 2-1. Amid the celebration, thick air surrounded Kelsey Plum and the Hall of Famer head coach Becky Hammon. Nevertheless, Plum found herself at the center of a tense yet playful postgame banter.

The playful exchange unfolded during the Game 3 postgame press conference when the conversation shifted to an exhausted Plum, who addressed a misunderstanding about whether she had “lost her edge.” She questioned Hammon, saying, “No, they said that you said that I didn’t have an edge or something?” attributing the comment to her coach.

Chelsea Gray quickly stepped in to lighten the mood, clarifying that the remark was directed at the team as a whole, not Plum specifically. Coach Hammon further lightened the atmosphere as she chimed in, “You’re razor sharp.”

Plum, grinning, admitted to feeling edgy as she quickly quashed the tension with a lighthearted apology. Hammon further told the reporters “I’ve also said we found our edge 10, 12 games ago” in the press conference.

And indeed, the Aces have found that edge. On the verge of elimination, the Aces demonstrated their Championship pedigree, by taking control of Game 3 with a 16-nil run in the third quarter alone. While their dominant victory suggests they’ve worked through their tensions, frustration and exhaustion have been recurring challenges for the team this season.

Head Coach Becky Hammon’s tough love 

Tension has been palpable between Hammon and the Las Vegas Aces, with one notable outburst occurring during Game 2, where the Aces fell 88-84. In a heated timeout, the head coach was seen pointing her finger at Kelsey Plum, as frustrations reached a boiling point. While the tension was evident, it also proved to be constructive, as evidenced by their victory in Game 3.

After Game 2, Hammon addressed the earlier incident, clarifying her frustration: “I called a timeout because I was frustrated—frustrated with us,” she said. “It wasn’t the refs, it wasn’t the Liberty. It was about how we were playing. We know we’re better than that.”

Hammon’s tirade seemed to ignite the Aces, helping them regain their rhythm against the Liberty. With their Game 3 victory, the Aces not only reaffirmed their status as contenders but also showcased the effectiveness of turning ugly situations into triumphs. Now, with the series at 2-1, Las Vegas is ready to battle for a spot in the Finals, eager to defend their title by forcing Game 5.

While it seems the Aces have found their footing, the Liberty will get another chance to close out the series on Monday. Should Las Vegas emerge victorious, a winner-take-all Game 5 will take place on Tuesday in New York. Only time will tell if the ‘Sin City’ franchise will be able to keep their 16-0 run for playoffs home showdowns running or they will drop the ball for good.