Dearica Hamby is still returning to full strength after injuring her right knee, but she played crucial minutes and helped swing the momentum of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
WNBA
Turns out the Aces aren’t just an offensive juggernaut. They can win rock fights, too, defeating the Connecticut Sun in a defensive struggle in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
A’ja Wilson had another strong performance for the Aces Sunday, but fourth quarter defense and a fiery halftime talk from coach Becky Hammon proved the difference.
Becky Hammon played 16 seasons in the WNBA but never won a championship. She’s back in the finals now as coach of the Aces, who will play the Connecticut Sun.
A’ja Wilson still remembers the green and yellow confetti raining down on her after the Aces lost to the Seattle Storm in the 2020 WNBA Finals. “It was disgusting,” she said.
The 2022 WNBA Finals between the Aces and Connecticut Sun features the two most recent MVPs — Jonquel Jones and A’ja Wilson — among its interesting storylines.
Aces star A’ja Wilson edged Seattle Storm standout Breanna Stewart to win the MVP award for the second time in three years. The Aces’ Kelsey Plum finished third in the voting.
Chelsea Gray had 31 points and 10 assists, and the Aces overcame a 42-point performance from Breanna Stewart and ended the legendary career of Sue Bird on Tuesday night.
Despite a series of injuries and the struggles of returning to full fitness, Riquna Williams showed up Sunday to hit the big shots when the Aces needed her most.
Never before in WNBA playoff history had a lead changed hands three times within the final three seconds of regulation.
The victory over the Seattle Storm gave the Aces a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series semifinal series. Game 4 is Tuesday night in Seattle.
That lineup, featuring Chelsea Gray in the post, helped the Aces even the series in Game 2. They may lean on it again in Game 3 Sunday in Seattle.
Aces rookie forward Iliana Rupert, who is from France, has experienced many of the typical highs and lows associated with a debut season in the WNBA.
Natalie Nakase has been able to come to terms with her status as a role model in the Japanese American community because she sees herself as part of an evolution.
Aces forward A’ja Wilson played one of the best games of her career, finishing with 33 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in a Game 2 victory over the Seattle Storm.
