LAS VEGAS (AP) — A return home helped Las Vegas stave off elimination by New York and look like the team that has won consecutive WNBA championships, while Connecticut couldn't stop Minnesota and take advantage of their homecourt. Both the Aces and Sun now will try to avoid seeing their seasons end on Sunday when they host Game 4 of their semifinal series. Las Vegas beat New York 95-81 on Friday night in Game 3 of the best-of-five semifinal series.
The Aces still trail 2-1. Connecticut got down early and never really was able to get close to Minnesota, falling 90-81 . The Sun are also down 2-1.
The Liberty entered their matchup having gone 5-0 against Las Vegas this year, including 2-0 in the postseason. But like in last year's WNBA Finals when a short-handed Aces team won the title on New York's floor, the Liberty know eliminating the champions is not that simple. “We have to keep our heads up because Game 4 is coming very, very quickly,” Liberty star Breanna Stewart said.
“But we need to learn quickly as well and be ready for the next game because it's not going to get any easier from here. This is the playoffs.” The Liberty can expect another hostile atmosphere, and the Aces fed off their crowd to help stay alive.
But, more importantly, Las Vegas turned up the defensive intensity, outscoring the Liberty 42-28 in the lane and holding Sabrina Ionescu — who entered the game averaging 24.5 points — to four points on 1-of-7 shooting. Aces coach Becky Hammon credit.
