WNBA Playoffs: No. 3 Aces vs. No. 6 Fever

The WNBA playoffs have officially arrived and will begin on Sunday, September 27. The Las Vegas Aces will face the Indiana Fever in the first round and it’s a best-of-three series. The Aces won their last regular-season game on Thursday, Sept. 24, versus the Phoenix Mercury (100-82). Although the second half was not pretty for the Aces, they still managed to get the job done. The Fever lost their last regular-season game versus the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday.

After the Los Angeles Sparks lost to the Golden State Valkyries by one point, 76-75, the Aces were seeded No. 3 instead of No. 2. Also, we should take a moment to appreciate Nneka Ogwumike, who played her final game on Thursday. It was an emotional evening for her, the Sparks organization, and the fans. Ogwumike finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, delivering an outstanding performance in her last appearance. Throughout her 15-year WNBA career, she won an MVP award and a championship in 2016.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever

Let’s revisit how the Aces performed in the third quarter against the Phoenix, as it relates to their upcoming game against the Fever on Sunday. The Aces had a total of 13 turnovers, with four in the third quarter alone, attributed to Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. It’s crucial for their top backcourt players to take care of the ball in the playoffs if they want to defeat Indiana. The third quarter is the most critical period in a basketball game, often determining the outcome. The Mercury outscored the Aces in the third quarter, 24-12, which is unusual for the Aces. Making these mistakes could be costly as they prepare for their next matchup.

In basketball, small mistakes are common. To win the first-round series, the Aces must improve their performance in each quarter, especially against the fast, young guards and veteran players of the Indiana team. Last season’s thrilling semifinal series went to a decisive fifth game, which the Aces won 3-2 in overtime, with A’ja Wilson finishing with 35 points. This year’s playoffs promise to be just as exciting, with cheers, roars and sell-out crowds expected at every game. But this time they will meet in the first round in a three-game series.