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How the Las Vegas Aces guards came to life to prevent elimination

LAS VEGAS – Becky Hammon has said all season that she has been waiting for the game when all of her Las Vegas guards are firing on all cylinders.

In 2023, the three-headed monster of Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum was an unstoppable unit on most nights, culminating in a WNBA Finals series when the perimeter trio convincingly outplayed their New York Liberty counterparts, even without Gray in the final victory .

Fast forward a season, and Las Vegas has mixed it all up. Despite adding Tiffany Hayes to an already talented guard group, the Aces were fortunate to have two members of their quartet play in each game. When Young scores well, it often means Plum is having a bad night, as was the case in Game 2 of the WNBA semifinal series against the Liberty, when she scored 17 and 6 points, respectively. Plum was at his best with 24 points in the series opener, but then Gray stumbled to four points and an assist in the loss.

“We had two in one night and had good nights,” Hammon said. “A'ja (Wilson) was ridiculous, is ridiculous, she will continue to be ridiculous. But after that, it’s all these other little pieces.”

On Friday, Hammon finally received her long-awaited hand with four top-performing aces. Five players scored in double figures in the Aces' 95-81 victory Friday night to avoid elimination and ensure Game 4 on Sunday to maintain their triple championship claim.

“Everything was really right for everyone,” Hammon said. “I thought it was probably our most complete game of the season. It’s the game I’ve been waiting for and believing in.”

The Las Vegas Guards' effort began on defense. Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu was the best perimeter player in the series, cutting through the Aces' pick-and-roll coverages and scoring at will from all levels, as well as setting up her teammates for free throws.

Hammon said after Game 2 that she wanted to get a C-plus defense in defending Ionescu because the defense hadn't even been average in the first two games at Barclays Center. That meant simplifying the scheme and making it much clearer what principles underpinned Ionescu and which Liberty players should be supported.

Ionescu was able to break free of the defense a few times in the first quarter to get to her floater, but she was unable to convert it. As the Aces tightened their coverage, Ionescu was repeatedly caught far from the basket and unable to turn the corner or find outlets in the half of the court. She had as many assists as turnovers (five) and posted the lowest playoff mark of her career with four points on 1 of 7 shooting.

Hammon's class on Friday? A plus, no notes.

“She played great, so obviously they want to make it difficult for her,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “They got them in action on the other end, this time they were very aggressive in the pick-and-roll. She couldn't get downhill. It was more of a hard hedge and very active as her hands took distractions.”

Without Ionescu in charge, the Liberty fell into isolation basketball, a style of play that was inconsistent with the movement and screening that characterized them during the regular season, when they had the league's best record.

Meanwhile, the Aces' defense got them into the offensive rhythm that was missing early in the series.

“We always say our defense drives our offense,” Hayes said. “We know we thrive on defense and even though we’re a little smaller, we’ve got some dogs out there and we can do a lot.”

New York's starting trio of Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton combined for 21 points. Young topped that number alone with 24. Plum added 20, Gray contributed 10 and Hayes provided 11 off the bench.

Their collective strength was on full display during a game-winning 16-0 run in the third quarter as the Aces extended their four-point lead to 20. Plum started with a drive to the basket off the dribble and then found Gray for the next score in the early going with a follow-up 3-pointer. Gray then followed up with a beautiful lob over the top to Wilson, while Breanna Stewart sent it to the post, extending the lead to double figures.

Then it was Hayes' turn. She faked left, swung to her weak hand, and left Nyara Sabally in the dust. Plum had a three-pointer after an offensive rebound, a technical free throw and then added another three-pointer after a drive-and-kick from Hayes. Fourteen points and three assists came from the guard group, while the Liberty missed nine shots and had seven turnovers in the period.

“I think our attention to detail defensively was super sharp,” Gray said. “They're a good team, but you want them to look tough, and that was the case with Sabrina. We just paid attention to the details of the pick-and-roll and making sure she wasn't comfortable. And it all starts on defense so we can integrate our offense a little better.”

The Aces know their advantage has to be in the backcourt, as the Liberty have two MVPs up front in Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Wilson's excellence has been consistent, but scope has been the deciding factor in the last two title runs.

Wilson was confident that the desperation of the situation would bring out the best in her teammates. “One thing I know for sure is that sometimes when our backs are against the wall, we really break out and shine brightest,” she said.

A 14-point win that was more one-sided than the margin would suggest, confirming Wilson's belief. The Aces finally showed their performance defensively and set the tone. Their pace was contagious on offense, so for the first time this season their guard quartet was involved, allowing Las Vegas to play at least one more game and continue to look for a three-point shot.

“We’re the Aces,” Hammon said. “We won’t give up.”

(Photo from left of Chelsea Gray, Jonquel Jones and Kelsey Plum: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

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