Aces and Liberty Face Elimination Down 0-2 in WNBA Game 3s

Q: Will the heavily favored Liberty overcome their late-game blunders to spark an unprecedented 0-2 series comeback?

Yes, the Liberty can force Game 4, but completing a full 0-2 comeback still looks unlikely. New York’s path starts with cleaning up the mistakes that put it here. The biggest issue has not been talent; it has been execution. The Liberty turned the ball over 21 times in Game 1 and 17 times in Game 2, and Atlanta converted those mistakes into 32 and 28 points. Even in Game 2, when Breanna Stewart delivered 35 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, New York still lost because of live-ball turnovers, defensive lapses and a critical late mistake by Sabrina Ionescu. There are reasons to think the Liberty can respond at home. They are slight favorites in Game 3, Stewart has been the most dependable player in the series, and Ionescu is unlikely to stay quiet for long. If New York gets steadier guard play, more from Jonquel Jones and cleaner late-game organization, it has enough firepower to win Friday. But the larger comeback question is harder. No WNBA team has ever come back from 0-2 to win a best-of-five series, and teams that take a 2-0 lead are 20-0 in league history. Atlanta also looks more connected and composed under pressure. The Dream have won nine straight overall, executed better late, and have gotten balanced production from Angel Reese, Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard. So the most realistic outlook is that the Liberty can still save their season in Game 3, but history and current form suggest Atlanta remains in control of the series.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 9

Las Vegas and New York enter Friday's Game 3s trailing 0-2, leaving A'ja Wilson's Aces and Breanna Stewart's Liberty needing three straight wins to keep their title hopes alive.
The pressure is highest because Atlanta and Golden State can close out both semifinal series on the road, with the Dream carrying a four-game playoff winning streak and the Valkyries surging after a shaky opener.
Wilson, the newly crowned five-time MVP, has scored 24 points in each loss to Golden State but has not gotten enough support, while Gabby Williams has fueled the Valkyries with 45 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in two wins.
New York returns home after a 10-point Game 1 loss and a three-point overtime defeat in Game 2, with Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu needing a stronger combined showing against an Atlanta team boosted by Angel Reese.