The New York Liberty had plans, but the Las Vegas Aces had one better. While the ‘Big Apple’ franchise looked to avenge themselves of their last season’s humiliation, the Aces stopped them from a clean sweep by winning game 3 at home. After the loss, their head coach Sandy Brondello held their guard Sabrina Ionescu accountable for the mistakes. Now, she has ensured that another one of her mentees which, if taken care of, can help them win the series.

Brondello, during the pregame press conference on Sunday, talked about the chances of the Liberty emerging triumphant in the forthcoming game. The 56-year-old stated one strategy that could help them get the win this time. “I think JJ has to do her part. Little frustrations got to her. Her getting in foul trouble doesn’t help us…she has to be persistent for 40 minutes…we need her rolling, drawing people…she knows what she needs to do,” Brondello enunciated.

Notably, while Sabrina Ionescu’s poor performance was a growing concern for the Liberty, it didn’t help their cause when Jonquel Jones couldn’t help for the entire game. She was benched during the final four minutes of the first half after she committed three fouls ( 2 personal and one shooting). Thus, the highest rebounder of the season for the NY Liberty could only ply her trade for 25 minutes and score 11 points with 6 rebounds.

Plus in the third quarter, she committed an offensive foul while during the fourth she had to be replaced by Courtney Vandersloot. Hence, Brondello gave a clear message to Jones that she needs to play consistently if the Liberty are to make something of this game. Overall, the 30-year-old averages 13.4 points in the playoffs with 9.2 rebounds per game. And this wasn’t the first warning to a player by Brondello.

Sandy Brondello gives Sabrina Ionescu a reality check

Ionescu, after scoring 21 and 24 points in Game 1 and Game 2 of the WNBA playoffs, was checked in her tracks during Game 3. She couldn’t score up until one minute had passed in the fourth quarter. After that too, the triple-double queen could only hit a free throw and a three-pointer. She wrapped up the game with 6 out of 7 field goals and 4 points.

Taking note of the same, Brondello pointed out that, “They (the LV Aces) were being really aggressive in the pick and rolls this time. She wasn’t able to get downhill, it was more of a hard hedge and were very active with their hands. Their hands get deflections and you know make it really hard.”

Ionescu during the beginning of the season had opined that though she has her three-pointers, she likes to “manipulate defenses” by getting into the paint. And when the Aces caged her, Brondello made sure to point out her mistake in public before concluding that “she’s a competitor and she’ll take this on the nose and come ready to play in the next game.”

Hopefully, both Ionescu and Jones will pay heed to Brndello’s warning and perhaps, the Liberty will emerge as winners in the upcoming game against the Aces.