The Las Vegas Aces are facing a do-or-die situation.

Or was that the scenario the other night in Game 2?

After losing Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals to the top-seeded New York Liberty, Aces coach Becky Hammon expressed that Game 2 was a “must win.”

However, that didn’t happen, as the Liberty successfully defended their home court once again.

Now, as they head into Game 3 in Las Vegas, the Aces are up against a significant challenge: historically, no team in WNBA playoff history has bounced back from a 0-2 deficit in a best-of-five series. If the two-time reigning champions continue to allow easy layups, their chances of changing that trend look grim.

A’ja Wilson has been performing exceptionally well, but her guards need to elevate their game. Meanwhile, the question remains: who can contain New York guard Sabrina Ionescu?

If the Aces secure a win tonight, they’ll face Game 4 on Sunday.

Stay updated with the latest news and highlights from Game 3:

When is Game 3 Between Liberty and Aces?

The WNBA semifinal game is set for Friday in Paradise, Nevada.

What Time is Game 3 Between Liberty and Aces?

The game is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Where is Game 3 Between Liberty and Aces Being Held?

The match will take place at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

How to Watch Game 3 Between Liberty and Aces

Game 3 in this best-of-five series will air on ESPN2 and can also be streamed on Fubo.

How to Stream Game 3 Between Liberty and Aces

Fans can stream Game 3 on Fubo. It will also be available on-demand after the game on WNBA League Pass. To access WNBA League Pass, download the WNBA app.

DeWanna Bonner: Second in All-Time Playoff Points

DeWanna Bonner continues to build her playoff legacy. The Connecticut Sun forward recently surpassed Candace Parker (1,149 points) and now holds the second position for all-time playoff points, totaling 1,150 points and rising. Diana Taurasi, Bonner’s former teammate with the Phoenix Mercury, is the all-time leader with 1,486 points. Bonner achieved this milestone during the third quarter of Game 3 against the Lynx, scoring 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds up to that point.

Aces Starting Lineup

• Chelsea Gray
• Kelsey Plum
• Jackie Young
• Alysha Clark
• A’ja Wilson

Liberty Starting Lineup

• Sabrina Ionescu
• Leonie Fiebich
• Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
• Breanna Stewart
• Jonquel Jones

Lynx-Sun Score After Third Quarter

The Connecticut Sun closed the third quarter trailing the Minnesota Lynx by eight points. The Lynx then surged ahead with a 9-3 run, bringing the score to 68-54 in favor of Minnesota.

Marina Mabrey of the Sun started heating up, scoring seven of her 11 total points (shooting 5 of 15) in the third quarter. However, she struggled from long range, going 0 of 6 on three-point attempts. As a team, the Sun are shooting just 13.3% (2 of 15) from three-point territory, having missed their last nine attempts.

Napheesa Collier is close to achieving a double-double with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Courtney Williams has contributed 14 points and six rebounds.

WNBA Playoff Format

• The first round of the WNBA playoffs is contested in a best-of-three format.
• The semifinals are played as a best-of-five series.
• The WNBA Finals follow a best-of-five format as well.

Aces’ Tiffany Hayes Named WNBA Sixth Player of the Year

The Las Vegas Aces are on the verge of elimination but they have a strong roster. Alongside the 2024 WNBA MVP, A’ja Wilson, they also feature the Sixth Player of the Year, Tiffany Hayes. Hayes received this recognition ahead of Game 3 against the Liberty. This honor is especially meaningful for Hayes, as she was retired at the beginning of the 2024 season. The Aces brought her out of retirement in late May, and she has averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists this season.

“I love you all. Coming here has been an incredible experience for me, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time,” Hayes shared after coach Becky Hammon announced her award. “This is our award.”

Kiah Stokes Out for the Aces

The struggling Aces faced another setback when they learned that 6-foot-3 center Kiah Stokes would miss Game 3.

Stokes sustained an injury during Game 2 when she collided with Liberty forward Jonquel Jones while both were vying for a rebound. After a hard fall, she was taken to the locker room and did not return to the game. Currently, she is in concussion protocol.

Although Stokes typically averages only 1.4 points per game, she is a critical defensive asset for the Aces, especially against a formidable Liberty team that boasts tall players like 6-foot-6 Jones and 6-foot-4 Breanna Stewart.

Aces vs. Liberty: A Battle of the Best Subs

Game 3 between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces showcases some of the brightest stars in the WNBA, as well as the league’s top bench players.

Aces guard Tiffany Hayes was awarded Sixth Woman of the Year, securing 38 out of 67 first-place votes, while Liberty rookie Leonie Fiebich was the runner-up, who wrapped up with a total of 21 votes.

Fiebich, a 24-year-old newcomer from Germany, has been outstanding for the Liberty this season, becoming a key player for New York in game closings. During the regular season, she recorded averages of 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals. Additionally, she represented the German national team at the Paris Olympics and was honored as a member of the WNBA All-Rookie team earlier this week.

WNBA Playoff Bracket

First Round

Sunday, Sept. 22:

• Game 1: New York 83, Atlanta 69
• Game 1: Connecticut 93, Indiana 69
• Game 1: Minnesota 102, Phoenix 95
• Game 1: Las Vegas 78, Seattle 67

Tuesday, Sept. 24:

• Game 2: New York 91, Atlanta 82, Liberty win series 2-0
• Game 2: Las Vegas 83, Seattle 76, Aces win series 2-0

Wednesday, Sept. 25:

• Game 2: Connecticut 87, Indiana 81, Sun win series 2-0
• Game 2: Minnesota 101, Phoenix 88, Lynx win series 2-0

Semifinals

Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty

• Game 1, Sept. 29: New York 87, Las Vegas 77
• Game 2, Oct. 1: New York 88, Las Vegas 84, Liberty lead series 2-0
• Game 3, Oct. 4: New York at Las Vegas, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• Game 4*, Oct. 6: New York at Las Vegas, 3 p.m. ET, ABC
• Game 5*, Oct. 8: Las Vegas at New York, TBD, ESPN2

Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx

• Game 1, Sept. 29: Connecticut 73, Minnesota 70
• Game 2, Oct. 1: Minnesota 77, Connecticut 70, Series tied 1-1
• Game 3, Oct. 4: Minnesota at Connecticut, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
• Game 4, Oct. 6: Minnesota at Connecticut, TBD
• Game 5*, Oct. 8: Connecticut at Minnesota, TBD, ESPN2
• (* – If necessary; all times Eastern)

WNBA Finals Schedule

• Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 10
• Game 2: Sunday, Oct. 13
• Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 16
• Game 4*: Friday, Oct. 18
• Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 20
• (* – If necessary; all times Eastern)

Aces Require Strong Play from Trio of Guards

Kelsey Plum’s spirited interaction with New York fan Spike Lee during Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty hinted at a standout performance.

Renowned for her skills in playful banter, Plum later mentioned she couldn’t relay the specifics of their exchange but urged him to “speak a bit louder.” She registered 24 points in a bid to keep the Aces competitive.

However, her fellow guards did not match her performance levels. After the opening game, Plum emphasized that the trio of guards – alongside Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray – must elevate their game for the Aces to succeed. Read more from Lindsay Schnell.

Lynx-Sun Score After First Quarter

With Minnesota Lynx evening the semifinal playoff series against the Connecticut Sun, the dynamic changed completely. Napheesa Collier shone with eight out of the Lynx’s 23 points in the first quarter, almost equalling her Game 2 total of nine points. The Minnesota bench also played a critical role, contributing the final seven points for a 23-16 lead.

The Sun struggled offensively, shooting just 38.9% (7 of 18), while the Lynx surpassed them significantly with a shooting percentage of 57.9% (11 of 19). DiJonai Carrington led Connecticut’s scoring with six points.

How Many Quarters Are There in a WNBA Game?

WNBA games are divided into four quarters, each lasting 10 minutes.

Caitlin Clark Awarded Rookie of the Year

After being drafted as the No. 1 pick following an outstanding college career, Caitlin Clark significantly contributed to the WNBA’s rise with her impressive long-range shots, astounding passes, and filling arenas during games. Now, she has concluded a remarkable first professional season by claiming the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

The Iowa alum garnered 66 out of 67 votes, triumphing over her main contender and college rival Angel Reese, thanks to Clark’s stellar performance and contributions to Indiana’s success. Reese, who led the league in rebounding at 13.1 per game, missed the final weeks of the regular season due to a broken wrist and received just one vote. Read more from Lindsay Schnell.

Lynx-Sun Halftime Score

The Lynx managed to extend their lead to a significant 14 points in the first half, closing out at halftime with a 46-34 advantage over the Sun.

Napheesa Collier is rebounding after a lackluster performance in Game 2, where she only scored nine points (3-of-14 FG, 1-of-4 3PT). In Game 3, the All-Star and Olympian made a strong impression, scoring 16 points in the first half. Thus far, she stands as the only player on either team to reach double digits.

The Lynx as a whole are performing well, shooting 59.4% from the field (19 of 32), while the Sun are struggling at 34.1% (15 of 44). Additionally, Connecticut is having a rough time from three-point range, making only 2 out of 11 attempts. DeWanna Bonner is responsible for both of the Sun’s three-pointers, while Marina Mabrey, who has missed all five of her three-point attempts, has contributed only four points.

Aces Have Poor Historic Odds Down 2-0

The outlook isn’t favorable for the Aces; historically, teams that fall behind 2-0 in a playoff series have never won, standing at 0-18 in WNBA history. Yet, Las Vegas might have an advantage as they have won the last 11 playoff games at home, a feat that sets a record in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark Continues to Make WNBA History

Rookie Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever has been a sensation throughout the summer, showcasing her remarkable performances. Explore her trailblazing achievements.