The WNBA Finals offered us an exciting first match. The Las Vegas Aces, after trailing by nine points with 3:36 left in the third quarter, employed an effective zone defense to stop the Phoenix Mercury in the final period, securing the victory thanks to the timely scoring of substitute Dana Evans.
Although Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas was one assist away from her third triple-double in a WNBA Finals, an unprecedented feat, she missed two crucial free throws in the final 30 seconds, with her team losing by one point.
The next matchup, Game 2, is scheduled for Sunday. If Phoenix achieves victory, they would split the series on the road and secure the home-court advantage in the first best-of-seven WNBA Finals in history. How will Phoenix adapt for Game 2? What aspects can Las Vegas improve after their third consecutive playoff victory that was decided at the last gasp?
The outstanding performances of the substitutes compensated for the discreet offensive nights of some Aces starters. Who will need to step up in Game 2?
Jackie Young is expected to have a greater offensive output, as she performed below her scoring average in the regular season. Aces coach Becky Hammon asked Young to help boost the substitutes, which she accomplished. However, Hammon also noted that Young and A’ja Wilson were showing signs of fatigue, which is understandable after leading Las Vegas to victory in the decisive semi-final game against Indiana. It remains to be seen if Young will show more freshness in this encounter.
Young was the only player who did not participate in the Aces’ optional practice on Saturday. Hammon commented that her star seemed to have heavy legs in Game 1, but that she would be ready for Sunday. The Aces need Young to perform at her best to keep pace with the Mercury in this series.
It is important for NaLyssa Smith to participate in Game 2. Smith scored a total of 34 points in Games 2 and 3 against the Fever in the semifinals, both wins for the Aces, but only played 16 minutes on Friday. Las Vegas has a 3-0 record this postseason when Smith scores in double digits.
What adjustments should the Mercury’s make?
Phoenix views it as a positive that the Aces abandoned their zone defense so early in the series, suggesting that Hammon felt her team’s man-to-man defense wasn’t working. Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts emphasized that they focused on identifying the weaknesses of the Aces’ zone defense. Furthermore, Tibbetts noted that Phoenix’s defensive energy needs to improve, as allowing 89 points to the Aces isn’t enough.
Phoenix didn’t fully capitalize on offensive rebounds on Friday night. The Aces reached the Finals with the lowest defensive rebounding percentage during the playoffs, and they played with a smaller lineup in Game 1, with Evans replacing Smith in the closing of the game. However, the Mercury had fewer offensive rebounds than Las Vegas. If the Aces return to zone defense, Phoenix’s players with a size advantage should focus on rebounding.
The Mercury must find a way to counter the Aces’ zone defense, a strategy they hadn’t faced much in the playoffs. Before Game 1, the Mercury had only seen two zone possessions, both against New York in the first round. On Friday, the Aces used zone defense in 21 plays, 20 of them in the second half. Phoenix had a 27% field goal percentage in those possessions, compared to a 53% field goal percentage against Las Vegas’ man-to-man defense. Although the Mercury made 14 three-pointers, they need to develop a successful game plan against the zone.
What to expect in Game 2? If the match is close, what could be the difference?
Throughout the playoffs, Hammon has emphasized the importance of the Aces managing success. She wants the team to maintain the same mentality regardless of whether they are coming off a win or a loss. In a long series against a team as strong as Phoenix, this mentality will be crucial for the Aces to aspire to their third championship.
Focusing on the Las Vegas substitutes obscured that the Mercury’s reserves had a relatively low night. DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb combined for 16 points, but on 21 shots, going 4-of-15 from three-point range. Whitcomb’s performance could force the Aces to reconsider using the zone.
