via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 13: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty drives against A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of their preseason game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Liberty 84-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 13: Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty drives against A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces in the second quarter of their preseason game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Liberty 84-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Can the Aces keep their three-peat hopes alive? The moment of truth is fast approaching. The stakes couldn’t be higher as A’ja Wilson and her squad prepare to face their season-long nemesis, the New York Liberty, at their home court, Michelob Ultra Arena. Only a win tonight can save them from elimination. Despite the daunting task ahead of beating Liberty whom they haven’t beaten once this season, Wilson remains fired up and has issued a strong message to her opponents.
With just hours to go before the big game, the Aces were hard at work during their final drills. On the sidelines, A’ja Wilson took a moment to chat with a reporter who asked her what message she had for the fans ahead of the high-stakes matchup. The Aces forward, ever poised, responded with confidence, saying, “All the fans that have been around us, we have been in high-pressure situations, pretty much my whole career, so this is just another one.”
The reigning MVP later shared her thoughts on bouncing back and said, “I would just tell them (fans) to buckle up, enjoy the ride and there’s gonna be some great basketball display tonight and just enjoy it. There is a lot of eyes are going to be on this game and on us because everybody wants to see what the Aces are going to do. And one thing I know for sure is that sometimes when our backs are against the wall, that’s what we really break loose and shine the brightest, so it’s gonna be a good one.”
When discussing her preparation, A'ja Wilson emphasized the importance of recent rest. She highlighted how taking time to recover has been crucial, balancing the effort of pushing hard with letting her body heal.
(@OutOfBoundsSpo1) pic.twitter.com/lfr4x5NagP— The9450 (@The9450) October 4, 2024
There’s no doubt that A’ja Wilson has the ability to shift into high gear when it matters most. As last year’s Finals MVP, she put on a show against the Liberty, racking up 85 points across the series and notching three double-doubles in just four games. In the Aces’ last game, she once again led the charge with 24 points, proving she’s still the heart of the team. But despite her standout performance, the job isn’t done yet. If the Aces want to keep their three-peat hopes alive, Wilson will need to elevate her game even further.
A’ja Wilson and Co.’s shortcomings in the last two games of the series
The first two games of this best-of-five series have unfolded pretty much as Becky Hammon and her team anticipated. In Game 1, the Liberty showcased their dominance, leaving the Aces scrambling. The only quarter where the Aces managed to outscore their opponents was the third, but even that wasn’t enough to shift the game’s momentum. Fast forward to Game 2, and the competition tightened up, with the Aces battling hard, though they still fell short by just four points.
Later after Game 1, the 2x WNBA champion team’s head coach, Becky Hammon, admitted “The whole team was committed to taking away A’ja… two, three people on her all night,” the Aces coach told reporters. “So we got to do a better job of getting her in space, but also giving her outlets. That is just about playing the right way if they got two, three people every time, the ball’s got to pop on out of there.”
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) huddles with her team during the second half against the Dallas Wings during game three of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Wilson wrapped up the game with 21 points, making the Liberty the only team this season against which the three-time MVP hadn’t surpassed the 25-point mark after at least three matchups. In Game 1, Kelsey Plum was the star for the Aces with 24 points, but she had a rough outing in Game 2, managing just six. However, Wilson bounced back in the second game, tying as the top scorer alongside Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu, with both putting up 24 points.
After Game 2, Becky Hammon didn’t hold back, saying, “The layups we’re giving up… it was a thing in the first game, and a thing in the second game, and if it’s gonna be a win in the third, we’re not gonna win.” The Aces’ defense allowed the Liberty to rack up 16 layups, leading to 44 points in the paint—almost double the Aces’ 24. To make matters worse, the Aces struggled with 13 turnovers and 22 fouls, which handed over 22 points to their opponents.
Hammon didn’t mince words when she added, ““Quite frankly we haven’t had the edge. We found it the last month. But the feel was different from the jump. This is why 3-peating is hard.” With that in mind, Wilson and the Aces will hit their home court tonight, laser-focused on bouncing back stronger than ever to keep their three-peat dream alive. With Wilson’s determination, Sandy Brondello’s squad would be wise not to underestimate the Aces or take them for granted.
Debate
Can A'ja Wilson's fierce determination lead the Aces to victory against the formidable NY Liberty?