The reigning two-time WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces have their backs against the wall after a Game 2 loss to the New York Liberty in the semifinals of this year’s playoffs.
As in Game 1 of the series, this match went down to the wire as the Liberty won a second game on their home court 88-84 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Some of the blame for the result could be placed on the shoulders of star guard Kelsey Plum – who shot an under-par 2-for-9 from the field and 2-for-5 from 3-point range and managed just six points. while turning the ball over three times.
As a result, Plum got an earful from Aces head coach Becky Hammon – with a video of the coach berating the Star Guard after he called a timeout.
After the match, Hammon explained her outrage at a press conference.
Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon was seen berating star guard Kelsey Plum
Plum shot a poor 2-for-9 from the field and managed just six points with three turnovers
“I want to call a timeout because I’m so frustrated with them. I did that tonight,” Hammon said.
‘I’m not angry with the officials. I’m not mad at the New York Liberty. I’m mad at us.’
Las Vegas was led by a 27-point, seven-rebound, four-assist performance from star center A’ja Wilson.
Aside from Plum, the rest of the Aces starting five scored in double figures. Jackie Young scored seventeen, Chelsea Gray scored fourteen and Alysha Clark dropped thirteen.
Off the bench, guard Tiffany Hayes scored 10 points, four rebounds and six assists.
As for the victors, the Liberty were led by a 24-point, nine-rebound, five-assist performance from star guard Sabrina Ionescu. The former Oregon product shot 9 of 18 from the field.
Fellow stars Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones also posted double-digit points (15 and 14, respectively), while guard Courtney Vandersloot had 12 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Las Vegas will host the Liberty for Game 3 on Friday night, where a loss would spell the end of their three-peating hopes.