Aces vs Liberty Preview: Aces Look to Turn the Tide with a Winning Streak as Ionescu’s Form is Key

On October 7 at 3 AM, the WNBA semifinals Game 4 will kick off, with Las Vegas Aces hosting New York Liberty. Currently, the Aces are trailing 1-2 in the series.

The Las Vegas Aces, as defending champions, have faced a significant challenge this time around. They swept the Storm 2-0 in the first round but lost the first two games of the semifinals against the league-leading Liberty, falling behind 0-2 in the series. Fortunately, in the last game, the Aces returned home and withstood the pressure, securing a 95-81 victory. In the second quarter, they went on a 17-2 run to pull away, with multiple players contributing significantly. Yang scored 24 points, Plum added 20, Wilson contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds, Hayes scored 11, and Gray chipped in 10.

The victory in the last game also alleviated some pressure for the Aces, giving them hope for a comeback. Compared to the previous two games, the key for the Aces was finding their shooting touch from beyond the arc, hitting 13 three-pointers in total. Their defense also put more pressure on the Liberty, preventing their backcourt star Ionescu from finding her rhythm throughout the game. Playing at home again, the cheers of their fans will give the Aces an additional boost. If they can secure another win, they can extend the series to a decisive Game 5.

The New York Liberty have been dominant this season, entering the playoffs as the top seed in the league. They swept the Dream 2-0 in the first round and took a 2-0 lead against the defending champion Aces in the semifinals, coming within one step of reaching the finals for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately, in Game 3 of the semifinals, the Liberty failed to capitalize on their momentum, collapsing in the third quarter and losing 81-95, changing the series score to 2-1 and putting some pressure on themselves. The key reason for the loss was the poor performance of their backcourt star Ionescu, who only scored 4 points on 1-of-7 shooting, a significant drop from her average of 24.5 points per game.

Despite failing to sweep into the finals, the Liberty still hold the advantage. If they win this game, they can advance to the finals once again and exact revenge on the Aces. Last season in the finals, the Liberty were defeated by the Aces and missed out on the championship. The key to this game will be Ionescu. If she regains her form, the Liberty will play more smoothly, and other players will get more opportunities. Stewart, on the other hand, has been consistent, always stepping up to score points.

This game is crucial for both teams. For the Aces, it is a do-or-die situation, needing a win to stay alive; the Liberty, despite holding the advantage, must see if they can end the series on the road this time.

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