The Las Vegas Aces won the second round of the WNBA final at home on Wednesday, 104-76, with the same confidence as in the first game, against an overwhelmed New York Liberty team. The Nevada franchise is just one win away from its second title in a row in the American professional women’s basketball league.
Never in a final has a WNBA team come back from a two-zero deficit to win. As in a boxing match, Vegas made the difference with two uppercuts at the start of each half.
At the opening, the Aces took Liberty by the throat, imposing their hyper-mobile defense and their relentless offensive rhythm. Everything was smiling in Las Vegas, almost perfect in its alternation between placed play and transition, interior play and three-point shots. After four minutes of play, the host team led 19-2 and New York was on the verge of a knockout. In attack, the visitors floundered, only Brianna Stewart surviving (7 pts).
New York coach Sandy Brondello pulled out her joker by launching Marine Johannès. The Frenchwoman quickly signed an aerial three-point shot of which she has the secret, followed by an over-the-shoulder pass to Stewart, who scored from three points.
Trailing by 22 points (43-21), Liberty then relied on the pugnacity of interior Jonquel Jones. The 2021 MVP snatched 19 points and 10 rebounds before the break and brought her team to within eight lengths at the end of the second quarter (52-44).
But as soon as they returned from the locker room, the Aces closed the lid again, with an 8-0 which sent their opponent away. Vegas was led by the energy of leader Chelsea Gray, in the oven and in the mill (14 pts, 11 assists, 6 rebounds).
A’Ja Wilson was in charge and delivered a demonstration of efficiency (26 pts and 15 rebounds), thanks to her magical support and her silky mid-range shot. Opposite, the two leaders Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot were at bay (5 out of 19 on shots between them).
The two teams meet again on Sunday in Brooklyn for the third match at 7:00 p.m. GMT.