WNBA semfinals: Aces use 24-0 run against Mercury to force Game 5

WNBA semfinals: Aces use 24-0 run against Mercury to force Game 5
By The Athletic Staff
Oct 7, 2021

Behind a 24-0 run in the third quarter, the Las Vegas Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury 93-76 to even the WNBA Semifinals 2-2 on Wednesday.

Chelsea Gray had 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and Kelsey Plum added 20 points off the bench for the Aces, who were able to force the best-of-five series back to Las Vegas for a decisive Game 5 on Friday. The Aces are trying to make it back to the WNBA Finals for a second consecutive year after losing the Seattle Storm in 2020.

The Aces led 51-48 in the third quarter before holding the Mercury scoreless for seven minutes. Riquna Williams scored 11 of her 17 points in that stretch, including three 3-pointers, for the Aces.

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi each had 14 points for Phoenix. A’Ja Wilson added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Aces.

(Photo: Michael Gonzales / NBAE via Getty Images)

Key to the Vegas' third-quarter run

Chantel Jennings, WNBA writer: Even coach Bill Laimbeer was surprised to hear that the Aces had a 24-0 run during the third quarter (in total, the Aces outscored the Mercury 29-11 in that quarter). Gray said that the team dug in during the quarter because "it was a win or go home moment."

The Aces were able to get out, push the ball and get some easier transition buckets but they also balanced that by hitting five 3-pointers in the third quarter alone. That offensive explosion, coupled with a defensive effort that held the Mercury to 27 percent shooting in the third was key.

Who has the Game 5 edge?

Jennings: Las Vegas has the momentum from this game and the return home certainly gives the Aces an edge.

Add to that: The status of Kia Nurse and Sophie Cunningham is unknown (though coach Sandy Brondello said that it didn't look good for Nurse's return), so the Mercury could be rolling with a short bench again on Friday — that helps the Aces.

But, given how dominant Brittney Griner and Taurasi have looked at times during this series, including in Las Vegas, it's impossible to say that those two (especially after playing as poorly as they did today) are going to be extra motivated by this chip on their shoulders.

Adjustments the Mercury need to make

Jennings: Since they can't sign any players before Friday, they're just going to need to go into Game 5 knowing that their bench is likely going to be shorter (potentially down a starter and key contributor) than they'd like.

On the defensive end of the floor, the Mercury just needs to communicate a bit better, especially in screens. Offensively, Phoenix needs to be more aggressive in a smart way — getting Griner (6-of-19) and Taurasi (5-of-15) into scoring mode early will be key.

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