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MA ForpelESPN.com
Las Vegas — last season, Las Vegas Aces They were devastated by their Game 5 semi-final playoff loss at home. Phoenix Mercury In one year, they really thought they could become WNBA champions.
On Saturday, the Aces dominated. And like a record.
Las Vegas dismantled an injury-depleted Phoenix team 117-80, setting a playoff or regular season WNBA record.
After eight years as an NBA assistant in San Antonio, Ace coach Becky Hammon said in his first season in Las Vegas, the Aces were the first team to reach the 2022 WNBA semifinals, leading the team to One step closer to the desired title. in Mercury’s 2-0 sweep.
The ace’s offense was unstoppable on Saturday, setting the tone with a playoff-record opening 10 shots from the field. The 11 3-pointers in the first half were also a playoff record, but it didn’t cool off in the second half. The Aces were the first WNBA team to hit at least 20 of her 3-pointers, and from behind the arc he finished with 63.9%.
In reality, it was an offensive day as the record for the largest playoff margin in the WNBA was recorded in Chicago with the defending champions. Sky hit New York 38 points. Ace almost matched it and won by 37 margins. It is the first time in WNBA playoff history that two of his non-matching teams have both surpassed his 100 points mark.
Hammon spoke after Game 1 about her opponent, who was in her first year with Mercury. Vanessa Nygaarddealt with more than any other coach in the league this season.
center Britney Griner Central, imprisoned in Russia since February Tina Charles The guard who divorced the team in June Diana Taurasi Quadriceps injury that sidelined last six games and guard skyler diggins smith In the final week of the regular season, he left the team for personal reasons. All four are Olympians and All-Stars.
And with Wednesday’s Game 1 loss, the Phoenix Guard Shay PeddyThe team’s top defender and one of the stabilizing forces this season suffered an Achilles tendon rupture to end his season.Mercury is Kaela Davis, a replacement player who didn’t make it to the WNBA in 2021 to help run the points positions. She finished with her team-best 23 points, a bright spot for Mercury.
chelsea gray He had 27 points to lead the ace.
