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As the Las Vegas Aces aimed for a second consecutive championship last season, a rallying cry emerged: "Aces vs. Everybody." It appeared on T-shirts, social media posts, and even during their victory parade, serving as their driving force. Every player and coach carried a sense of determination.
But on Tuesday night, after falling to the New York Liberty 88-84—leaving them 0-2 in the series and on the verge of elimination—Aces coach Becky Hammon introduced a new perspective: "Tonight, it was Aces vs. Aces. We beat ourselves."
Hammon didn't hold back in criticizing the team's defensive performance, describing it as "a layup clinic." The Aces were outscored 44-24 in the paint, and a series of poor decisions and unnecessary fouls made the situation worse. Las Vegas committed more fouls than New York and missed seven of their 19 free throws.
Perhaps most striking, the Aces became the first defending champions to trail 0-2 in a WNBA playoff series, a deficit no team has ever overcome. Hammon acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, "We're in for a war. And it's going to be a big one."
"You can't afford to make mistakes when playing the best team in the league," she said. "They've proven themselves all season, just as we did last year."
Now, the reigning champions are searching for the edge that propelled them to success last season. Hammon admitted that the team has struggled to recapture that intensity. "To be honest, we haven't had that same edge," she said. "It felt different from the start, and this is why winning three titles in a row is so difficult. The entire league has been gunning for us, and it's easy to get distracted with all the attention, commercials, and everything else."
The Liberty posed a real threat on the court. Sabrina Ionescu led the charge with 24 points, while Breanna Stewart contributed 15 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. New York's relentless movement and pace exposed Las Vegas' vulnerabilities, particularly in the first half when the Aces allowed 20 points off turnovers.
"They capitalize on every mistake," said forward Alysha Clark. "They're too good for us to afford slip-ups."
Earlier in the day, three-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson acknowledged that poor communication had been a problem for the Aces. "Our team chemistry can be both a strength and a weakness," Wilson explained, adding that the team sometimes makes assumptions about where teammates will be instead of verbally communicating.
Despite the loss, Las Vegas had moments of promise. Wilson, who scored 18 points in the second half to finish with 24, led the Aces in a late surge. They even had chances to take the lead with less than a minute to play, but a costly turnover with 10.7 seconds remaining sealed their fate.
Hammon recognized her players' effort, noting that they had more energy than in Game 1. The team also improved from beyond the arc, hitting 12 three-pointers compared to seven in the previous game, making for a more competitive contest. Clark noted that communication had improved, although it still faltered during key moments.
"We're still facing the same problems," Hammon said candidly.
Since taking the helm in 2022, Hammon has not experienced a season without a championship. Her tenure began after seven years as an assistant coach with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. Reflecting on past experiences, Hammon mentioned the Spurs' comeback after their devastating 2013 Finals loss to the Miami Heat, which was followed by a redemption win in 2014.
"The Spurs came back with incredible drive, discipline, and focus, determined not to lose again," she said.
However, Hammon's analogy pointed out a tough reality for the Aces. In this situation, they are more like the Heat, the team that ultimately lost in 2014. After Las Vegas dropped Game 1, Hammon had referred to Game 2 as a "do-or-die" moment.
"Did I call it a must-win? I was exaggerating," she quipped. "Just trying to add some drama."
Now, though, the drama is real.
"I love making history, so let's try to start something new," joked Aces guard Chelsea Gray, who improved from her four-point performance in Game 1 to 14 points and seven assists in Game 2.
Veterans like Gray, Wilson, Clark, and the rest of the team know what's at stake. "If you don't understand how important Friday's game is, there's nothing we can say," Clark emphasized.
As the series shifts west, Hammon stressed that her team must focus on each quarter and tighten up their defense. Still, it's hard to ignore the momentum that New York is building. As the Aces left the Barclays Center, a giant torch was wheeled onto the court, symbolizing the Liberty's growing dominance. The torch was lit for the fourth time this postseason, marking each of New York's playoff victories.
The Liberty's flame burned bright, while the Aces' flickered.
