The WNBA playoffs kicked off Sept. 22; the semi finals are currently underway, with the New York Liberty leading the Las Vegas Aces 2–0 and the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun tied 1–1.
Coming off back-to-back championship seasons, the Las Vegas Aces entered the playoffs as clear favorites for many. Despite finishing as the No. 4 seed, experienced veterans like point guard Kelsey Plum and reigning league MVP center A’ja Wilson made it difficult to imagine the Aces not making a deep playoff run. If they were to win three straight, they would cement their name in history as one of only three teams to do so (the other two being the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001–2003 and the Houston Comets in 1997–2000).
However, the Aces’ three-peat dreams are in jeopardy. Though the Aces swept the Seattle Storm 2–0 in the first round, their semifinal matchup against the New York Liberty has been a different story.
The Liberty finished the regular season an incredible 32–8, good for the second-most wins in a regular season all-time. Coming in as the number one seed, The Liberty had a solid start to the tournament, dominating the Atlanta Dream 2–0. So far in the semifinals, the Liberty have stunned the Las Vegas unit, beating the Aces 88–77 and 88–84 in the first two games.
The duo of guard Sabrina Ionescu and forward Brianna Stewart have propelled the Liberty on the offensive side of the floor. An elite floor general and three-point sniper, Ionescu has averaged 24.5 points per game on 42.4 percent shooting from deep while dishing out six assists per game in the playoffs. A true three level scorer, Stewart holds averages of 20.5 PPG and 4.3 APG, along with 7.3 rebounds per game.
The WNBA playoff semifinals use a best-of-five format. Every game is now a must-win for the Aces. With pressure at an all-time high and their backs against the wall, it will be interesting to see what the Aces are made of. In their past two championship seasons, they had never fallen behind 2–0 in a series.
On the other side of the bracket, the matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun has been an evenly fought battle through the first two games. The number two-seeded Lynx cleared the Phoenix Mercury 2–0 to advance to the semifinal round, while the No. 3 seed Connecticut Sun did the same to star guard Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.
The Sun eked out a 73–70 win to start the series. Connecticut guard Marina Mabrey scored 20 points to lead the team in scoring. Forward Alyssa Thomas added 17 points in the victory. In a losing effort, Lynx forward Napheesa Collier led the way scoring 19 points.
In game two, it was the Lynx who narrowly pulled away. Guard Courtney Williams led the team with 17 points and forward Alanna Smith chipped in 15 securing a 77–70 win. For the Sun, the forward tandem of Thomas and Dewanna Bonner led the way, scoring 18 and 17 points respectively.
“Everybody wants it, emotions are high,” Bonner said in a post-game interview following game two. “It’s just two competitive teams going after it.”
The WNBA playoffs are back in action this Friday; the Aces will defend their home court against the Liberty and the Lynx are headed to Connecticut to continue the series versus the Sun.
Following these matchups, the WNBA championship is set to tip-off Thursday, Oct 10 and will be available to stream live through YouTube TV.
