LAS VEGAS — Becky Hammon said she’s been waiting all season for a game where all her Las Vegas guards are clicking on all cylinders.
In 2023, the three-headed monster of Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum was an unstoppable unit on almost a nightly basis, culminating in a WNBA Finals series in which the perimeter trio convincingly outscored their New York Liberty counterparts. Even though Gray didn’t make it to the finals.
A season has gone by quickly and Las Vegas has been mixing and matching. Despite the addition of Tiffany Hayes to an already talented group of guards, the Aces have been fortunate to have two of the quartet pop up in any given game. If Young scores well, Plum might get an off day. Like when they scored 17 and 6 points, respectively, against Liberty in Game 2 of their WNBA semifinal series. Plum brought her A game in the series opener with 24 points, but Gray had four points and one assist in the loss.
“We had two great nights in one night,” Hammon said. “A’ja (Wilson) has been funny, has been funny and will continue to be funny. But after that, it’s all different little pieces.”
On Friday, Hammon finally got his long-awaited four aces, his best performance. Five players scored in double figures in the Aces’ 95-81 win Friday night to stave off elimination and keep their quest for a third championship alive in Sunday’s Game 4.
Ace is not done yet ♣
On the brink of elimination for the first time since 2021, the Las Vegas Aces face the Liberty in Game 4 of the semifinals! Jackie Young leads the way with 24 points🔥
Final Score: 95-81#WelcometotheW | #WNBA Playoffs publisher @Google pic.twitter.com/fDGNmr66M1
– WNBA (@WNBA) October 5, 2024
“Everything really clicked for everyone,” Hammon said. “I thought it was probably the most complete game of the season. “This is the game I’ve been waiting for, believing in, and waiting for.”
The Las Vegas Guard’s efforts began on defense. Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu was the best perimeter player of the series, splitting up the Aces’ pick-and-roll coverage and setting up open shots for her teammates in addition to scoring at will at all levels.
Hammon said after Game 2 that he wanted to give a C+ effort to defend Ionescu because his defense was not even average in the first two games at Barclays Center. What this meant was simplifying the plan and making it very clear what the principles were for Ionescu and which Liberty players could help.
Ionescu broke away from the defense a few times in the first quarter and got floaters, but failed to convert. As the Aces tightened up their coverage, Ionescu continued to get stuck far from the basket, unable to turn the corner or find an exit in halfcourt. She had as many assists as turnovers (5) and submitted the lowest scoring playoff result of her career with 4 points on 1-of-7 shooting.
How did Hammon perform on Friday? Plus, there are no notes.
“She’s been playing great, so of course they want to make it difficult for her,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “They put her in action on the other side, and she was really aggressive in the pick-and-roll this time. She couldn’t go downhill. It was close to a solid fence and was very active with its hands flexing.”
Without Ionescu running the show, the Liberty were relegated to isolation basketball, the move-and-judge style of play that defined them during a regular season in which they posted the league’s best record.
Meanwhile, the Aces’ defense pushed them into an offensive rhythm that was lacking early in the series.
“We always say the defense drives the offense,” Hayes said. “We know we have success on the defensive end. Even though we are a little smaller, we have some dogs in there and can do a lot of things.”
New York’s starting outside trio of Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton combined for 21 points. Young exceeded that number himself with 24. Plum added 20, Gray had 10 and Hayes provided 11 off the bench.
Their collective power was on full display during a 6-0 run in the third quarter that decided the game as the Aces extended their four-point lead to 20 points. Plum started things off with a drive to the basket off the dribble and then found Gray. For the next score on the initial attack of a trailing 3-pointer. Gray got a beautiful lob to Wilson as Breanna Stewart outpaced her in the post to push the lead to double digits.
Next it was Hayes’ turn. She faked to the left and drove with a weak hand, leaving Nyara Sabally in the dust. Plum hit a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound, hit a technical free throw and added another 3-pointer off Hayes’ drive-and-kick. While 14 points and three assists came from the guard group, Liberty missed nine shots and committed seven turnovers in that period.
“I think our attention to defensive detail was very sharp,” Gray said. “They’re a good team, but we want to make them look tough and Sabrina was the same way. We paid close attention to the details of the pick-and-roll and made sure she wasn’t comfortable. And it all starts on defense, so it can flow a little bit better on offense.”
The Aces know their advantage must come from the backcourt, considering the Liberty have two frontcourt MVPs in Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Wilson’s excellence has been consistent, but boundaries have been the separating factor during his last two title runs.
Wilson was confident that a desperate situation would bring out the best in his team. “One thing I know for sure is that sometimes when our backs are against the wall, that’s when we really let loose and shine brightest,” she said.
The 14-point win, which was more one-sided than the margin, vindicated Wilson’s faith. The Aces finally executed their defense and set the tone. Their speed was infectious on offense, and the inclusion of a quartet of guards for the first time this season allowed Vegas to continue its pursuit of the 3-peat with at least one more game to play.
“We’re aces,” Hammon said. “We will not fold.”
(Photo from left: Chelsea Gray, Jonquel Jones and Kelsey Plum: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
