There were a lot of people for this Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the Connecticut Sun. In the stands, you could meet Kyle Lowry, Ja Morant, DeMarcus Cousins or even Tyronn Lue.
On the floor, on the other hand, Becky Hammon was less seduced at first. His team had taken control after the first quarter, but in the next, everything stops and the Aces only score 9 points. The Sun took the opportunity to be ahead at the break.
“I was furious”she says at ESPNon his reaction in the locker room at half-time. “Everything we talked about, we didn’t do. When you believe in a way of playing and nothing is executed in that direction, it’s frustrating. But the players knew it, they are smart and then reacted. “
In the third quarter, the debates are balanced before Las Vegas passes a 13-3 before the start of the last act. Connecticut then failed to overthrow the players of the former Spurs assistant and the Aces won 67-64.
A’ja Wilson, MVP and defender of the year, finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks, Chelsea Gray contributed 21 units. The Aces thus take this first meeting so important because the Finals in WNBA are played in the best of five matches (and not of seven, as in the NBA), so it is the first team to win three games that is sacred.
Plus, it’s also a first for the franchise. She had already played the Finals twice, in 2008 and 2020, but each time had been swept 3-0.
“In the bubble, we were just happy to be there, but also to leave”recalls A’ja Wilson, referring to the 2020 Finals, for the PA. “There, we already know this feeling. It sucks to get swept away, it’s the worst thing. So we are motivated not to be anymore. “
