The showdown everyone anticipated is finally here! The New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces are set to clash again in the WNBA playoffs, reigniting the rivalry that has fans on the edge of their seats. It’s been less than a year since these two powerhouses met in the Finals, where the Aces edged out the Liberty. This time, though, the stakes are set even higher as they meet in the semifinals. With both teams at the top of their game, this best-of-five series promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
The Aces, the two-time defending champions, have had a somewhat turbulent season, but they’ve managed to secure the No. 4 seed. Meanwhile, the New York Liberty, armed with their best regular-season record (32-8), come in as the top-seeded team. It’s a perfect recipe for an electrifying showdown, with the past two MVPs, A'ja Wilson of the Aces and Breanna Stewart of the Liberty, leading their squads. Both teams swept their first-round opponents with ease, and now, the real test begins.
A Season of Highs and Lows for the Aces
The Las Vegas Aces had their ups and downs this season, which made their path to the semifinals a bit more challenging. They hit a rough patch after a 90-82 loss to New York back in June, which left them with a 6-6 record. During that time, Wilson boldly declared in a postgame press conference that the team would bounce back. And boy, did they ever! Despite some hiccups along the way, the Aces found their groove and went on a tear, winning nine of their last 10 regular-season games.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. The Aces faced some tough moments, like their 93-90 loss to the Dallas Wings in late August, where they allowed 32 points in the final quarter. Head coach Becky Hammon didn’t hold back her frustration, and that served as a wake-up call for the team. From that point on, Las Vegas tightened up and showed the same championship-level play that earned them back-to-back titles. In the first round of the playoffs, they swept the fifth-seeded Seattle Storm, with Wilson leading the charge.
However, it’s important to remember that the Aces struggled in their regular-season matchups against the Liberty. Chelsea Gray, their star point guard, was sidelined for their first meeting, and when the teams met again in September, Wilson was nursing an ankle injury. Jackie Young, another key player, was battling illness in one of the matchups. But now, the Aces are healthy, strong, and eager to flip the script on New York.
The Liberty’s Dominance
On the flip side, New York has been nothing short of dominant. They finished the regular season with the league’s best record and swept the No. 8 seed Atlanta Dream in the first round of the playoffs. More impressively, the Liberty also swept their regular-season series with Las Vegas, defeating them in all three meetings.
Breanna Stewart has been a driving force for New York since joining the team as a free agent. She’s no stranger to success, having already won two WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020. Stewart is laser-focused on bringing a championship to New York, and the addition of another former MVP, Jonquel Jones, has only strengthened their chances. The Liberty were labeled as a "superteam" at the beginning of the season, and they’ve lived up to that title.
MVP Showdown: Wilson vs. Stewart
One of the most thrilling aspects of this series is the face-off between two of the WNBA’s brightest stars: A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. These two have a history that extends beyond the WNBA. They were teammates for Team USA, which captured its seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games. Between the two of them, they’ve collected five MVP awards and are considered among the best players in the world.
Last season, Stewart won a tightly contested MVP race, while Wilson took home the Finals MVP after leading her team to victory. This season, Wilson has been playing with something to prove. She’s been on fire, dominating the court with her aggressive play and unmatched energy. She averaged 23.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in last year’s playoffs, making her one of the most feared players in the league.
Stewart, on the other hand, didn’t quite hit her stride in last season’s playoffs. Though she averaged a respectable 18.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, her shooting percentages were lower than expected. Now, with another chance at the championship, Stewart is more determined than ever to prove she’s still at the top of her game. This battle between Wilson and Stewart will likely be one of the key factors that decide the outcome of the series.
Key Matchups to Watch
While the Wilson-Stewart showdown is sure to grab headlines, there are other intriguing matchups to keep an eye on. One of the most crucial will be between Jackie Young of the Aces and Sabrina Ionescu of the Liberty. Young has been solid for Las Vegas, but she struggled against New York in the regular season, averaging just 8.7 points on 32.3% shooting. For the Aces to advance, Young will need to elevate her game, both offensively and defensively.
Ionescu, meanwhile, has been a revelation for the Liberty. She had been in a bit of a shooting slump before erupting for 36 points and 9 assists in the series-clinching win against Atlanta. If she can continue to play at that level, it could spell trouble for the Aces. Young will likely be tasked with guarding Ionescu, and her defensive performance could be the difference-maker in this series.
Can the Aces Turn the Tables?
Despite their regular-season struggles against New York, the Aces are a different team now. They’ve regained their championship form, and their "Big Four" of Wilson, Young, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray are all healthy and ready to roll. The Aces know they’ll need to bring their A-game on both ends of the floor to counter the Liberty’s high-powered offense.
Hammon believes her team has what it takes, saying before the playoffs that the Aces were hitting their stride at just the right time. "I think the temperature is rising," she said, signaling that her team is locked in and ready for the challenge.
What’s at Stake?
At the end of the day, this series could very well be the de facto championship round. With all the star power on both sides, it feels like whoever comes out on top will be the favorite to win it all. The Liberty are looking to avenge their Finals loss from last year, while the Aces are chasing a historic three-peat. Both teams are stacked with talent, and the series has all the makings of an instant classic.
So, who will come out on top? Will the Liberty continue their dominance, or will the Aces find a way to flip the script? The only thing we know for sure is that we’re in for an epic showdown. Grab your popcorn and get ready, because this series is about to take WNBA playoff action to new heights!
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