NY Liberty vs. Las Vegas Aces, game 2 preview: Liberty look for a 2-0 lead
Photo by Evan Yu/NBAE via Getty Images
After a great Game One, the Liberty look to put the reigning champs in a 2-0 hole. Off to a good start. The New York Liberty began their WNBA semifinals clash with the Las Vegas Aces with a bang as they went wire-to-wire in a 78-68 win. They lead the best of five series 1-0. After this, the series shifts to Vegas.
Where to follow the game
ESPN2 is the place to be. Tip after 7:30 PM.
Injuries
All clear for everybody.
The game
You can’t “stop” superstars of a certain level. It’s impossible and a fool’s errand to think you can. However, you can mix things up to slow them down. That’s what the Liberty did with A’ja Wilson on Sunday afternoon. The M’VP had a quiet (for her!) 21/6/5/0/2 in 38 minutes. Wilson had to work for everything as the Liberty frequently had her playing in a crowd
The Liberty especially threw extra help at Wilson when Kiah Stokes was in the game. It’s something we all called leading up to this series, and at various points, the Liberty straight up ignored Kiah when she was on the court. Becky Hammon switched the lineup after halftime and inserted Alysha Clark into the game with the Core Four. The Liberty expected it to begin Game one, and I’m betting we see it tonight. That should open up more space for Wilson, but it creates another problem...
Which is they’re pretty small compared to the length of the Liberty. New York won the paint battle and rebound margin by healthy margins. They weren’t able to do much with Jonquel Jones on the inside as JJ was able to help deter rim attempts even as she battled with Wilson. Is this a game where we see backup bigs like Megan Gustafson and Queen Egbo? Becky Hammon might have to go deeper into her bench if they continue to run into trouble on the glass.
While that happens, Breanna Stewart will look to wreak havoc on both sides of the ball.
For the Aces, if they want to tie this series, they’re going to need more from Jackie Young. If you’re looking for an encouraging sign, it’s that Young was able to get to the rim a fair amount on the way to 17 points. As it happens, those 17 points were the most she’s scored in a single game in over a month. What’s worrying is she wasn’t on the court down the stretch of game one as Vegas tried to mount a comeback. Simply put, the Aces can not win if Young does not play like the All WNBA caliber player she has been, the road to a threepeat becomes even more difficult for the Aces.
Young’s defense will be needed against Sabrina Ionescu. Sab had it cooking on Sunday as her 21/4/5/2/1 filled the stat sheet and filled Barclays Center with joy.
Player to watch: Kelsey Plum
You know it’s playoff basketball in New York City when Spike Lee is sitting on the sidelines chirping with the opposing star. Kelsey Plum joined New York lore as she and Spike went at it throughout the night. KP held it down for Vegas as she scored a team high 24 points and was really the only player that could make things shake against the Liberty defense. Vegas is gonna need Plum to recreate that if they want to tie this series at one.
Leonie Fiebich walked away from Game One feeling pretty unsatisfied with her defense. Some of that is due to her being an admitted perfectionist, but she mentioned that she could be more aware of Plum setting off ball screens and thinking ahead. Leo also told us that the goal is to make Plum more of a passer as compared to her being the elite scorer she is. On the other side, her ability to spot up from three opens up a world of space for Jones and Stewart down low.
WHAT A DIME @jus242 ➡️ The Rook for pic.twitter.com/BXAZRCnC9S— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) September 29, 2024
When you have the amount of options the Liberty do on offense, somebody’s gonna be open as a result. Fiebich will look to have a sharper game on defense tonight and if she’s able to continue providing great help defense and is able to slow Plum down a bit better, the Liberty have a chance to hit the road with a 2-0 series lead.
From the Vault
Ones in the air for Mount Mutombo
More reading: Las Vegas Review Journal, Las Vegas Sun, Swish Appeal, The Strickland, The Local W, New York Daily News, New York Post, The Athletic. Fansided, Just Women’s Sports, SI All Knicks, Winsidr, Her Hoop Stats, CBS Sports, and The Next
New York Liberty Game Notes - New York Liberty
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