The Las Vegas Aces’ season ended on Sunday, as they lost to the New York Liberty 76-62 in Game 4 of their WNBA semifinals series at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
New York wins the series 3-1 and advances to the WNBA Finals. They await the winner of the Lynx-Sun semifinals series.
Las Vegas, the reigning back-to-back WNBA champions, was looking to win its third straight title, but it ran into a determined Liberty team, whom the Aces defeated in the finals last season.
It’s a make-or-miss league, and the Aces shot 21 of 64 from the field and 7 of 30 from 3-point range in Game 4, while the Liberty made 28 of 71 overall and 10 of 24 from deep, which was a difference in this game.
After struggling in Game 3 and scoring only four points, Sabrina Ionescu had a game-high 22 points for the Liberty.
For the Aces, A’ja Wilson led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, Kelsey Plum scored 17, and Tiffany Hayes chipped in with 11 off the bench.
Wilson, the league’s MVP, had a historic season. She set single-season records with 1,021 points and 451 rebounds. Wilson is the first player to lead the WNBA in total points, rebounds, and blocks (98) in a season. In addition, she became the third player in league history to become a three-time MVP and the second player in WNBA history to be unanimous MVP.
However, winning three straight titles is hard, and it appears Las Vegas ran out of gas. The Aces were the hunted all season long; they got every team’s best effort, including the Liberty’s. Las Vegas can walk away from the season with its head held high. They battled all season long and showed the heart of a champion, but again, the Aces ran into a better team.
New York was the best team in the WNBA this season, and they look like the team to beat. It is their time.
Photo; LV Aces
Leave a Reply