The Las Vegas Aces edged closer to the WNBA Finals with a decisive 84-72 win over the Indiana Fever in Game 3 of their semifinal series, with Jackie Young dropping 25 points in the victory, AP News reported; Young's scoring prowess wasn't solitary as teammate NaLyssa Smith added 16 against her former team, the Aces now looking to seal their Finals berth come Sunday.
Despite the might of the Aces' offense, it was their defensive clout that turned heads again with the Aces' stifling efforts in the fourth quarter, Indiana miss their first eight field goal attempts while coughing up the ball twice, the Aces proved that strategic defense could punctuate a win, as they went on a 12-3 run that significantly padded their lead, according to Aces official recap.
There wasn't just scoring and defending happening on the court, but also some record-breaking, as A'ja Wilson passed Candace Parker to become the number one for all-time 2-point field goals made in playoff games; this mark only makes it more evident that the Aces are not just about the here and now—they're steadily etching their legacies into the annals of the league, "The job's not finished yet," Young told AP News.
In terms of assists, Chelsea Gray dished out six to help secure the win and in doing so, moved past Lindsay Whalen for the fourth spot in all-time playoff assists, highlighting the essential mix of veteran savvy and dynamic play that's come to define the Aces, who now fix their sights on Game 4, which remains in Indiana for a scheduled Sunday showdown at 12 pm PT, broadcast on ABC.
