“We’re going to New York a little early — don’t be out and about. All that matters is winning.” Becky Hammon made her intentions clear as the Las Vegas Aces touched down in New York two days before Game 1 against the New York Liberty. Both teams come into this game with different mindsets. While Sandy Brondello’s Liberty have been consistent top performers but are still seeking their first championship title, the Aces are determined to secure their third consecutive championship. Well, with the three-peat mission in mind, the Aces are pushing their limits before locking horns with last year’s final opponents.

Before landing in the bustling streets of Gotham City, A’ja Wilson and her teammates were hard at work, preparing to face the only team that managed to sweep them during the regular season. According to reports, head coach Hammon’s Thursday practice session extended nearly an hour longer than planned, focusing intently on game strategies specific to the Liberty and their home court at Barclays Center.

Hammon herself radiated motivation during Thursday’s practice, describing it as “way more detailed than others.” She emphasizes the importance of cultivating good habits, but she knows postseason success requires more than just the basics. “Now it’s about knowing your opponent and trying to take certain things away, living with certain other things and learning how to exploit them,” Hammon said.

The Fever coach also expressed her team’s eagerness to outshine Sandy Brondello’s squad, stating, “We got their playbook. They got our playbook. At a certain point, it’s just about who executes better for the 40 minutes? Who wants it more? Who’s more focused? So, we want that to be us.” But considering the Aces’ championship-winning pedigree over the past two years, do they really need to work this hard to take on the Liberty? This season’s track record says absolutely yes!

Why is Liberty a certain threat to Becky Hammon’s team?

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal reports, the players fully embraced the New York vibe during practice, even channeling the style of the Liberty to match the intensity they’ll face against Breanna Stewart and her squad. By mimicking the Liberty’s game, they aimed to prepare themselves for the high stakes of this upcoming showdown.

And why wouldn’t they? After all, the Liberty have bested the Aces in all three of their matchups this season. If there’s any team that has truly outclassed Becky Hammon’s squad, it’s Sandy Brondello’s Liberty, boasting an impressive 3-0 record against them. While the Aces can take comfort in their victory over the Liberty in last year’s Finals, that feels like a distant memory now as Liberty’s revenge seeking has come out to be on top.

Well, if Hammon truly wants to surpass the Liberty, she may need to focus on dominating the boards. Stewie openly shared her team’s major strategy against the Aces has been controlling the rebounds. “I think that one of the biggest takeaways last time we played them, we were really like rebounding the hell out of the ball,” said Stewart before their last encounter. Moreover, the Aces might have to set a trap to contain Jonquel Jones’ scoring prowess as she has been the highest scorer against them this season with 59 points.

“Get your mind right. Do what you need to do,” Becky Hammon urged her players while Wilson nodded recognizing that the team is finally finding their rhythm at the perfect moment after Thursday’s intense practice. What remains exciting is whether all of the grind and hustle will pay off when the Aces hit the Barclays Center for Game 1 on Sunday.