The Las Vegas Aces were able to get past the Connecticut Sun in a grueling five-game WNBA semifinal. The Aces have advanced to the first Finals appearance in franchise history against the Seattle Storm.
How Did The Aces Do It?
The Aces and Sun beat up on each other for five games and it showed late in the game with a combined 33 turnovers and both teams struggling to make shots. Angel McCoughtry and A’ja Wilson willed the Aces behind a combined 43-point output on Tuesday night, but this wasn’t a game won strictly on the offensive end of the floor. Neither team shot the ball well with both shooting 36-percent on the game.
In a gritty, physical and choppy series, toughness categories were the difference maker. The Aces were able to control the glass outrebounding the Sun 41-36. Getting to the free throw line played a major factor, especially for the Aces and A’ja Wilson in the second half. The Aces dominated the free throw stats finishing 19-22 while the Sun got to the charity stripe just eight times.
Las Vegas Looking Ahead
Look, the Las Vegas Aces squeaked by the Sun to get to this point. We now have the top two teams of this 2020 WNBA season squaring off for it all, but Las Vegas is going to need a lot more if they want to make a dent against Seattle.
Being without Sixth Woman of the Year, Dearica Hamby, hurts. They’ll need additional and consistent offensive outside of just A’ja Wilson and Angel McCoughtry. They’ve got to find a way to get Jackie Young and Kayla McBride going in the offense and they need to hit shots. You can’t expect Angel McCoughtry to continue to play 30+ minutes and be able to continue to contribute the way she has been…impressive, yes. Is this going to win you a championship? No. Offensive production from somewhere else HAS to happen for Vegas to have a chance.
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals beings on Friday, October 2nd at 7:00pm ET on ESPN2.
