The Aces came into game three with the same confidence and momentum they had I game two against Indiana.
First Half Momentum
Las Vegas started the first quarter with control of the tempo and get off to a small four-point lead, 20-16 to close out the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Aces continued to be aggressive in the paint. The connection of Chelsea Gray to NaLyssa Smith in the paint seemed successful for the Aces.
A’ja Wilson reached another milestone in the first half moving up to third in WNBA history for most playoff blocks.
Indiana Comes Back
In the closing 2:00 of the second quarter, Indiana began to chip away at the Aces lead as Kelsey Mitchell and Lexi Hull carried them to within three. The Fever approached half-time down by one-point.
Second Half Quickness
In the second half, both teams picked up the pace. It was a back and forth on both ends of the court. Chelsea Gray pulled up with a 13-foot jumper to tie the game, 48-48 with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter.
During the second half, Jackie Young made her 200th field goal in the playoffs.
Both teams capitalized when getting opportunities to get to the foul line. To close out the third quarter, the Aces held a 59-56 lead.
The Aces then pulled away to take a 2-1 lead in the series with an 84-72 win.
Following the win, Aces coach Becky Hammon spoke to the difference in the game, “The difference was the fourth quarter, being able to get stops down the stretch.”
“We do have to move on but we have to go back and do some things much better. I know my group understands that,” Hammon continued
The two teams meet for game four on Sunday, September 28 at noon PT on ABC.
Aces on the hunt for victory number 2 in fiery series against Indiana
