The Las Vegas Aces are surely in a tight spot. After dropping both Games 1 and 2 of the semis against the New York Liberty, they find themselves in a do-or-die situation, just one game away from elimination. Despite knowing exactly where they need to improve, A’ja Wilson & Co. seem to be falling into the same traps again. To top it all, their defensive anchor, Kiah Stokes, is benched!

Late in the third quarter of Game 2, Stokes collided heads with Jonquel Jones. And she suffered a ‘potential concussion,’ ruling her out for the remainder of the game. This is a huge blow for a team already struggling, especially since she has been important in the Aces’ defensive schemes throughout the season.

Her best games included grabbing 12 rebounds twice against the Liberty and Indiana Fever. Without her presence, the Aces will struggle to fill the gap left behind. More so, considering Becky Hammon has expressed concern about the team’s communication during defense while the Liberty has adapted to a very fast pace in offense. Rightly so, considering the Aces let 44 points in the paint in game 2. Sandy Brondello’s ‘defense wins championships’ mindset, isn’t gonna help her opponents either. 

Limiting the Aces to just 24 points from the paint, the Liberty bagged Game 2 with an 88-84 score, pushing them to a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. 

Undoubtedly, Sabrina Ionescu was the star of the show, finishing with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. And how can we forget the free throws in the late game that helped seal the victory for New York? Although A’ja Wilson matched her scoring with 24 points, her pace took time to get going. The team shot 43.3% from the field, while the Liberty found their rhythm at 50%

Can the Aces Rise Again?

Since the very beginning of the season, the Liberty have been remarkable. Previously, we saw them dominating Game 1 and ultimately winning with an 87-77. Breanna Stewart stood out, scoring 34 points with four consecutive games of 25 or more points against the Aces. The Liberty’s effective ball movement led to 22 assists, while it was just 14 for the Aces.

Moreover, because of Kelsey Plum’s early foul, Wilson and Jackie Young had to carry the scoring load. However, they lacked adequate defensive support. Later, in the postgame presser, Aces head coach Becky Hammon emphasized the need for better communication on defense. “You have to talk fast, you have to move fast,” she stressed.

Yet, after Game 2, it seems that this hasn’t quite hit home. Despite their star-studded roster, A’ja Wilson and Co. have lacked execution. Can the Aces turn it around in the next game? They’ve got the star power, led by MVP A’ja Wilson, averaging 22.8 points and 9.5 rebounds in the playoffs. But to stay alive in the series, they must address their defensive shortcomings.

On the flip side, The Liberty are riding a wave of momentum, and they are definitely aiming for the championship this 2024 season. And their performance, averaging 91.7 points per game while maintaining a solid defensive effort, proves it. Can the Aces next stop at home help turn the momentum?