Las Vegas --

In a tense clash that saw the stakes rise for both teams, the Las Vegas Aces managed to fight back against the New York Liberty, avoiding a playoff sweep with a decisive 95-81 victory in Game 3 of their WNBA semifinal series.

Sabrina Ionescu, the star guard for the Liberty, faced relentless pressure from Aces defenders throughout the night. "They didn’t give me the light of day," Ionescu lamented after the game, clearly frustrated by the tenacity of the Aces’ defensive strategies.

The Aces' defense shone brightly, with a particular focus on limiting Ionescu's scoring opportunities. Remarkably, she managed to score only four points in the game, coming off a free throw from an Aces technical foul and a late 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. "Every game of the series, things have been changing," Ionescu observed, alluding to the Aces' adjustments that ensured she never found her rhythm. "They sent two or three to the ball at one time, and I couldn’t get anything easy."

Becky Hammon, head coach of the Aces, praised her team’s defensive execution, awarding them an A-plus for their effort, particularly in containing Ionescu. The Liberty struggled offensively, shooting only 38.8% from the field, while the Aces enjoyed a solid 52.1% shooting performance.

"It was all about being proactive, stirring things up, and trying to make Sabrina uncomfortable," Hammon explained, highlighting the tactical changes that led to the team's success.

Entering this game, the Aces had previously lost five consecutive encounters against the Liberty this season, which included a three-game regular season sweep and the initial two games of this series in Brooklyn. Reflecting on the team's journey, Ionescu remarked, "The likelihood of us going 6-0 against them this year was slim. They’re back-to-back champions, and we’re still up 2-1. We’ve always come back strong after a loss."

The Liberty, who closed the regular season with an impressive 32-8 record, were in a familiar position. Last year during the WNBA Finals, the Aces also secured the first two games before the Liberty won Game 3.

"This is when teams are most dangerous," noted Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, who led her team with 19 points. "They came out and did what they were supposed to do tonight. We have to keep our heads up because Game 4 is coming very, very quickly."

The two teams are set to face off again at Michelob Ultra Arena on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, a game eagerly anticipated and to be broadcast on ABC.

As the Liberty hope to replicate last season's success and secure a championship bid, the Aces are determined to rewrite the narrative by becoming the first WNBA team to recover from a 0-2 series deficit. With league MVP A’ja Wilson contributing 19 points and 14 rebounds, alongside a powerful supporting cast in Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, who collectively poured in 54 points and dished out 13 assists, the Aces remain a formidable opponent.

"Defensively, we were so locked in," Gray stated, emphasizing the connection between their defensive prowess and high-octane offense. "When we can couple that with fast breaks and secondary options, it puts our opponents on their heels."

Stay tuned for what promises to be an electrifying Game 4 in this gripping playoff series!